Star-studded TCC debuts in Fil-Am tilt

BAGUIO – The Country Club makes its keenly-awaited debut in the Fil-Am men’s golf invitational with reigning national champion Ferdie Aunzo and RP team standouts Rufino Bayron and Tonton Asistio leading the squad against a slew of equally talented rivals at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay courses here today.

Although Club Marinduque will not be around to defend its title, the battle for the championship in the centerpiece Fil Championship division is expected to be fierce with Mizuno, Eastridge and Sherwood Hills out to foil The Country Club’s bid.

Backing up Aunzo, Bayron and Asistio in the TCC squad are fellow ICTSI players Anthony Fernando and Dante Becierra.

“The boys are raring and ready to go. This is their first time to play here (with the exception of Bayron, Asistio and Fernando) and they are all looking forward to a successful campaign,” said TCC team manager Freddie Mendoza.

The Country Club’s team in the Am Championship is also expected to contend for the crown with Joey Huerva, Brent Sumampong, Art Arbole and brothers Sonny and Peter Villaber spearheading the charge against many-time champion Manila Southwoods and Mizuno.

Meanwhile, the Sherwood Hills and Forest Hills Nicklaus teams took charge in the Fil and Am Flight A divisions after two rounds of play in the 59th staging of the annual event.

Sherwood Hills pooled 110 Stableford points in the Am Flight A at the par-61 Baguio Country Club course.

Minieng Maravilla paced Sherwood with 32 points with Freddie Mendoza, Jason Yu and Jimmy Borromeo backing him up with 28, 26 and 24 points, respectively, in the five-to-play, four-to-count format of the event.

Camp Aguinaldo was nine shots adrift with 101 points with Tony dela Cruz scoring with 29. Virgilio Wee added 26 while Raul Gonzales and Jun Bautista had 24 and 22 points, respectively.

Peter Young (34), Ronnie Littaua (32) and Lino Magpantay (30) and Korean Il Hun-Jeoung (29) combined for 125 points for Forest Hills in Fil Flight A at the par-69 John Hay layout.   

The Golden Oats team, which captured the centerpiece Fil championship division seniors’ crown last week, stood just a point behind with 124 points. Jan Tambogon paced the team with 33 points while Bong Sison added 32 and Mario Parinas and Poch Hernandez tossed in 31 and 28, respectively.

The event is backed by Wilson Sports, Hi-Tec, Club Car, Eva Air, Royal Caribbean, Beauty & Fashion Walk, CJH Dev. Co., Sustagen Premium, Golf Force, The Manor, Duty Free Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, U-Bix, Fil Estate, Riz Golf and Coppertone. Information Professional Inc. is the scoring solution provider.