MACTAN-CEBU AMATEUR OPEN: Sarigumba, Hebi rule their classes

CEBU, Philippines - Ronnie Sarigumba and Vidal Hebi shared the limelight yesterday as they topped their respective classes in the Mactan-Cebu Amateur Open Golf Tournament at the Mactan Island Golf Club in Lapu-Lapu City.

Sarigumba fired the day’s best round of three-over-par 75 strokes then pulled past first day leader Renato ‘Ninoy’ Aquino in the sudden death playoff to claim the title.

Hebi had the title of the seniors’ division wrapped up in the first day as he posted an eight-shot lead and needed only to coast through the final round to formalize his triumph.

Sarigumba opened the tournament with six-over-par 78 strokes and his 75 yesterday gave him a total of 153 strokes. Aquino, who made 74 on the first day, shot 79 strokes yesterday capped with a spectacular birdie on the ninth hole from the bunker.

In the extra hole, Aquino overshot the green and finished with a bogey while Sarigumba made par to claim the crown.

The trophies and other prizes for the winners were handed over by Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Legaspi, chairman of the MIGC council, and Michelle Beltran.

Second place for the men’s class went to Aquino while taking third place was the young Vijay Vasandani with 156 (76-80).

Finishing fourth was Hubert Calan with 157(76-81) followed by C. Sarigumba (86-75) and Bart Vergara (81-80) with 161 strokes each.

At solo seventh was Hiro Hasegawa with 163 (84-79) and tied for 8th to tenth place were Andrew Cañete (79-85), Z. Pioquinto (81-83) and Seo Hong Kil (83-81) with 164 strokes each.

SENIORS

Hebi’s insurmountable lead allowed him to take it easy yesterday.

Second place for the 55 years old and above class went to Yoshio Yamane with a total of 167 strokes on rounds of 84 and 83.

Third place went to Oscar Cornelio with 170 (88-82) while at solo fourth was Retired General Rodante Joya, general manager of the club, who had the day’s best round for their category shooting 80 strokes after a disastrous first round of 91.

Hospicio ‘Razy’ Razon finished fifth with 176 (87-89) followed by Felix Villanueva at sixth with 177 (85-92).

Seventh place went to Boy Alegre with 181 (88-93) and at eighth was Bruce Walker with 184 (89-95).

Ninth place went to Sgigeuo Saito wiuth 185 (85-100) and rounding up the top ten was Masaya ‘Happy’ Hishida with 188 (94-94).

The tournament was backed by PLDTsme Group VisMin and drew over 60 players for two categories.   (FREEMAN NEWS)