Mizuno, S’woods switch titles in Fil-Am

BAGUIO — Like in the past, Mizuno DHL and Southwoods split the 54th Fil-Am Golf Invitational top honors, although this time, they switched the titles they’ve won last year.

With Romeo Jaraula matching the tournament best score of 40 points or a four-under par 65 under stroke play, Mizuno-DHL closed out with a 150 for a 546 aggregate and coasted to a 16-point victory in the Fil-Championship the Southwoods bets held the last four years. Other scorers for the team were Erwin Vinluan, who fired 38 points, and Marvin Dumandan and Tristan Tabanas, who tossed 36 points apiece.

Jerome Delariarte had a 36 and emerged only the third best scorer for the team in the five-to-play, four-to-count format event. Gene Bondoc and Tony Asistio paced Southwoods losing bid with 40 and 39 points, respectively, while Artemio Murakami chipped in 35 for the team’s final round 150 and a 530 total.

"We’ve been expecting this," said Southwoods team captain Thirdy Escano, who earlier hinted at the big surge by the Mizuno bets after Tabanas was elevated to the Fil category plus the entry of the power-hitting Dumandan.

The Carmona-based golfers, however, took the Am Championship crown, Mizuno’s domain last year, with a closing 117 points and a 507 for a 16-point victory. Hanson So, Jr. and Juami Rocha led the final round attack with 31 points apiece while Lyndon Barril and Mike Bibat backed them up with 28 and 27 points, respectively.

Mizuno’s Lawrence Negrido consoled himself with the low medal honors as he submitted the only sub-par performance at the Baguio Country Club course – a two under 59 or 38 points. He shot a total of 143 points to win the individual crown.

Greg Lagautan backed him up with 31, Kit Lopez had 28 and Rudy Amata shot a 25 for the team’s 122 and 491 total.

Meanwhile, Richard Solang registered the tournament’s eighth ace, which entitles him to a raffle ticket for a trip to either Paris or London. Solang, a player of barely 18 months, made the rare feat at the 166-yard 18th hole of the BCC course using a four iron Pernick and Titlist ball.

"This is memorable, because it is my first ace in the 18 months that I play golf and my first big tournament," said Solang of the Early Birds I. He thus joined Inoc Laranang, Floyd de la Cruz, James Nakamura, Eddie Jose, Virgilio Biscocho, Nestor Manrique and Lester Majarucon in the elite ace club.

Publicis Dialog took the Flight C Fil crown after amassing a four-day total of 392 and a 19 point edge over Chamorro, while Capitol Hills took third honors with its 367.

Neplum, Inc. proved the best team in Fil D by romping away with the title by 18 points over two-day leader BCC which settled to second place. Yokosan ended up third

Majuricon and the Alviar family starred in Fil E with its 364 points as Benguet Farmers salvaged second spot, sneaking past the youthful Baguio Jungolf, which settled for third place.

In Fil F, Paga Guam Golf Team scored 92 points en route to a 311 and a 12-point victory over Aloha Golf Team of former BCC manager Anton Gomez. Early Birds II settled for third place.

In Am C, Pines Golf of California made it two for two as it Sustagen Premium I took top honors in Am D, followed by Korea Morning Calm and Fil Hawaiian GC.

Philippine Navy reined in Am E after totaling 287, while eight strokes down and runner-up is Balkbayan. Early Birds is third with 268.

In Am F, Macabud cruised to the top after Ultra Flite and Sustagen Premium II failed to bank on the bad end game of the team. Macabud scored 57 for 245 and the top spot, while Ultra Flite had 58 for 237. Sustagen Premium II is tied with Seoul Survivor at third with similar 221. - Artemio A. Dumlao