Golden Oats takes two-shot lead over CJH

BAGUIO – Golden Oats is back in its familiar position and is right on track in its title retention campaign in the Fil Championship division despite facing tough competition from Camp John Hay and The Country Club after the opening round of the seniors tournament of the 59th Fil-Am Men’s Golf Invitational here.

Bong Sison carded 32 markers to lead Golden Oats’ 121-point charge on a rainy Sunday and was ably supported by the 31s of Iggy Clavecilla and team captain Florene delos Santos. New recruit Francis Gaston and Freddie Mendoza had 27 each, one of which will count in the five-to-play, four-to-count format.

That was just two shots ahead of rival and former champion Camp John Hay and The Country Club, which pooled in identical 119 points at the par-69 course of the Camp John Hay Golf Club.

John Hay was led by Jung Won Park, who posted 31 points, while a pair of 30s came from Fred Puckett and retired Air Force general Nelson Eslao. Bjorn Anderson had 28 points.

Bob Horan shot the day’s best score of 34, which was a two-over-par 71 in regulation as he towed newcomer The Country Club to joint second place. Philippine Sports Commission’s Richie Garcia had 30, O.V. Espiritu contributed 29 and Tony Gutierrez added 26.

Nueva Ecija had 28s from Peregrine de Guzman, Danny Yu and former senator and actor Vicente Sotto. Amor Tanjuakio had 27 and counted for the team with 111 points, 10 off the leader.