Kim, Go top 4th Amo Cup golfest

CEBU, Philippines - Kim Kwang Seok and Mark Warren Go shared the top honors in last weekend’s 4th Amo Cup played at the par-72 Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

Kim fired the tournament’s lowest gross with his one-under-par 71 strokes edging Carl Almario and Gabriel Yap, Jr. in the countback.

Go had the lowest net shooting eight-under-par 64 off a gross 87 edging Alvin Suarez in the countback.

The tournament, whose official name is the Albino D. Gothong Memorial Cup, is held in honor of the late sportsman and philanthropist, who was the chief organizer of major golf events in Cebu starting in the mid 1990s.

Gothong’s widow, Pacita, as well as his children Bambi Gothong-Tan and Benjo Gothong attended the awards ceremony that was held at the AVGCC ballroom last Sunday.

In her welcome address, Bambi thanked all those who supported the event as sponsors as well as the players, who have lovingly remembered her dad.

The class A lowest gross title went to Almario with his 71 strokes off nines of 33 and 38.

Yap won the lowest net with his 66 while runner-up honors went to Richard Lim, who fired a net score of 67 strokes beating Edward Chu in the countback.

A total of 298 players took part in the tournament including popular TV host Willie Revillame and songwriter Lito Camo, who were last minute entries during the second day of the event last Sunday.

The lowest gross honors for class B went to Jeff Kim with 79 strokes off nines of 38 and 41.

Suarez took the lowest net honors with 64 strokes while Jude Demiar was the runner-up with his net score of 67 besting Alex Garcia in the countback.

The class C title went to Dr. Alberto Solis with a gross score of 85 strokes shooting nines of 42 and 43.

The lowest net plum went to junior golfer Sir Cross Abarintos with 68 strokes off a gross 88 edging Georgie Go in the countback. Go settled for the runner-up honors.

The main backers of the tournament were A.D. Gothong Manufacturing, Carlos A. Gothong Lines, Gothong Southern Lines Inc., and Security Bank.

The seniors’ class was topped by Oscar Cornelio, who won the lowest gross honors with his 75 strokes. This category is for players aged 55 years old to 64 years old.

The lowest net plum for the seniors’ category went to Mar Selma with 64 strokes while runner-up honors went to Oscar Sanchez with 65.

Vince Colina ruled the super seniors’ class, which was for players aged 65 years old and above. Colina fired the lowest gross with 82 strokes.

The lowest net plum for this age category went to Nido Lao with 66.

Choi Yi Hwa had the lowest gross for the ladies’ division with 77 strokes while Ericka Lim of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu won the lowest net honors shooting 69 strokes off a gross 79.

Lee Kwang Hee had the lowest gross among the guests firing 74 strokes while Kiddy Limchao, Jr. had the lowest net shooting 68 strokes eand edging Freddie Salimbangon and Bobby Arenas.

Salimbangon took the runner-up honors.

Special prizes went Michael Song for nearest the pin on hole number 6 leaving a foot and ten inches to sink a birdie on the par-3 hole while Nelson de Mesa was only an inch off the center line on his drive at the 11th hole for the most accurate drive of the tournament. (FREEMAN)