Wack Wack shows way in Nokia Intervillage golf

Heroes came in abundance for Wack Wack last Monday as it pooled together 287 Stableford points and showed the way after the first 18 holes of the Nokia Intervillage Central tournament at the tricky Manila Golf course inside Forbes Park.

Mike Ozaeta, a 12-handicapper, stood at the helm of Wack Wack’s vicious attack, firing 38 points in the 12-to-play, eight-to-count event sponsored by Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, and supported by PLDT, Alaxan, ICTSI, Philippine Airlines, National Sports Grill, Mastercard, Mizuno and 357 Boracay.

Alex Asuncion, a 14-handicapper, scored 38 points while Honorio Poblador, a 17-handicapper, chipped in 36 for Wack Wack. Last year’s Intervillage Central champion, Magallanes, was second at 282, followed by Greenmeadows (269), Urdaneta (265), Forbes Park (257) and Bel-Air (247).

The final 18 holes of the Central tournament will be held June 25 at Wack Wack with the top three teams earning slots in the Nokia Grand Intervillage tournament in November. Also scheduled to play their second rounds at Wack Wack’s west course are villages from the North (May 28), South (June 4) and East (June 17).

Corinthian Gardens ruled the first round of the Nokia North tournament with 295 points, Alabang 400 in the South with 280 and Greenhills I in the East with 284. Greenhills 1 emerged as last year’s Grand Intervillage champion.

The five other scorers for Wack Wack were Ignacio Ortigas (36), Chris Chua (36), Benjie Guevarra (34), Ernesto Lim (34) and Vicente Araneta (33). Those who did not count were Gimo Asuncion (32), Alex Sison (31), Butch Campos (29) and team captain Michael Tan (29).

Those who scored for Magallanes, which won last year with a 558 total, were J.R. Peralta (37), Rodel Mangulabnan (36), Joseph Elim Alviar, Jr. (35), Luke Gaston (35), Jigs Alviar (34), team captain Noel Legaspi (34), Tony Katigbak (33) and Alfredo dela Peña (29).

Dela Peña topped Group I (0-5 handicap) of the individual competition with his 29.