Chu-Chik duo sets pace in Founders Cup

MANILA, Philippines –  Aaron Chu and partner Willy Chik combined for a net 15-under 51 to post a one-point lead over Roy Asi and Rex Goquingco tandem at the start of the 14th Founders Cup at the Orchard Golf and Country Club’s Players Course in Dasmariñas, Cavite last Thursday.

Chu, a 27 handicapper, and Chik (18) combined for gross 28 points for a net 51 under the best-ball with handicap Modified Stableford scoring system to seize the early lead in the 36-hole tournament spread over four days.

Asi (19) and Goquingco (13) pooled a gross 34 for a net 14-under 50-point output while the Camilo Fernandez (12)-Reynaldo Capinianes (14) tandem and the Mel Malabanan (10)-Venerando Carandang (16) pair stood in joint third with net 13-under 49s.

Ricardo Odulio and Serge Fojas and the pair of Franciso delos Santos and Constantino Navarro both shot 13-under net 85 points to emerge the top scorers at the Palmer layout with Danilo Hernandez and Josie Amon in third with net 10-under 82.

The Orchard’s premier club championship, presented by Coca-Cola, drew a huge field of 800 with close to P2 million worth of prizes and raffle items, including a brand-new Hyundai Sonata 2.4 A/T Premium sedan for a hole-in-one feat on any of the eight par-3 holes of both courses at stake.

The field will switch courses in its second round assignments with format shifting to the two players’ handicap Modified Stableford system at Palmer.

Brett Butler and Jack Roxas took control of Class A (0-11) with a net 9-under 81 at the Palmer layout from a gross 59 for a whopping six-point lead over Danilo Pizarro and Alex Escalona who had a net 75 from a gross 57.

Antonio Olbes and Rodel Mangulabnan shot a net 72 for third while Lee Jin Gon and Son Tae Hee a point farther back at 71.

Frederick Borromeo and Rustico Bayani emerged the top gross scorers at Player with 37 points, one ahead of the Fernandez-Capinianes tandem (36) and two clear of the Malabanan-Carandang and Gali Espiritu-Arnaldo Bautista Jr. (35) pairs.

delos Santos and Navarro’s 85 also gave them a huge 11-point lead over Antonio Abad and Virgilio Domingo (74) in Class B (12-15) with Ed Abesamis and Domingo Bonifacio in third with 72 points.

Gerry Sy and Joey Crisostomo also sat on a big cushion in Class C (16-19) with net 78 points, seven clear of Mark Medina and Joel Gequillana, who had 71, while Rick Nimo and Saturnino Nimo tied for third with Art Zuniega and Sammy Lazo with 68s.

Odulio and Serge Fojas, meanwhile, took a three-point lead over Danilo Hernandez and Josei Amon (82) in Class D (20-up) with their net 13-under 85 with Raymond Yupangco and Antonio Yupangco way behind in third with 70.

Medy Agustin and Arlette Dizon pooled a net 72 to wrest a two-point lead over Jaime Bautista and Rudy Fulo (70) in the Sponsors division of the tournament. Jaime Melo and Ismael Gozon shot a 68 for third.

An all-expense paid business class ticket for two to San Francisco via Philippine Airlines with three days and two nights accommodation at the Half Moon Bay Resort, including two rounds of golf, will be the major raffle prize during awards night Sunday.

Aside from PAL, other major sponsors of the 14th staging of the tournament are Asiana Airlines, Hyundai Dasmarinas, Mizuno, Kulinarya Global Corp. and Sta. Lucia Realty Corp. with Security Bank, Orchard Property, Banco De Oro-CLG Merchant, and The Turf Company as premium hole sponsors.__Arch. Montealegre & Associates Co., Avida Land Corp., Beneficial Life and Emeritus Security & Maintenance System head the hole sponsors that include F.D. Nolasco Enterprise, GG&A Club Shares, Globe Telecom, International Heavy Equipment Corp., John Gil Catering, Joseph Server & Associates, Mayor Homer Saquilayan of the Municipality of Imus, Mighty Sports Association, Nishino Leather Industry;

Perry’s Group, Philippine Charter Insurance, PPI Prime Ventures, Promise Land, SAP Build Enterprise, Shakey’s Pizza, SLB Trading & Pump Specialists, Trends & Technologies Inc., Tri Maritime Corp., Vice Mayor Louie Bustamante of the City of Las Pinas , First Tee (Srixon), Information Professionals, Inquirer Golf, J-Ten Sports (Callaway), Pacsports Phils. Inc., The Great Depot (PING), and Travel Managers International Inc.