Teener Bunyi crowned RP longest hitter

National training pool member Gino Bunyi registered 296 yards yesterday to rule the men’s open division of the 2006 Dunlop Long Drive Challenge at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

The 6-1 Bunyi, who competed in the World Junior Championships in San Diego last July, hit his best drive on his second attempt. His first and third tries went out of the fairways.

"I was hopeful. I just gave it my best shot and I’m glad I won," said the 18-year-old Bunyi, the youngest of eight siblings and the only golfer in the family.

"I’m happy and proud of my achievement. It was a great experience to win in the presence of world champion Sean Fister," said Bunyi, a high school graduate from Our Lady of Pilar Montessori in Las Pinas.

Bunyi, who carries a single handicap and who idolizes American Ernie Els and former national amateur champion Tony Lascuna, will compete in a tournament in Chinese Taipei next week.

"Here’s Gino, the longest hitter in the Philippines — until I came," said Fister, who personally awarded the championship trophies to all the winners in the presence of Dunlop Philippines officials Cecille Reyes, Jon Wang and Roland So.

Fister, whose career-best drive is 515 yards, won the RE/MAX titles in 2005, 2001 and 1995. He was inducted to the Long Drivers of America (LDA) Hall of Fame in 2002.

"This is a beautiful venue, the course is perfect," said the 44-year-old American from Little Rock, Arkansas referring to the par 72 Wack Wack east course.

"I look forward to coming back to the Philippines next year and I thank the Dunlop staff for putting up this event," said Fister, who hit 356 yards during his exhibition. He also held a clinic with the participants of the event.

Fister’s Manila visit is part of his Asian Tour. He visited Malaysia and Singapore last week and will proceed to China this week.

Aside from Bunyi, those who topped their respective divisions were Tootsie De Jesus (men’s regular), Jaime Fernandez (men’s senior), Wolen Juan Superal (juniors) and Stephanie Yu (women’s). Orchard Golf and Country Club won the team event.