Arbole, Ababa top Mindanao Amateurs

MANILA, Philippines –  Art Arbole and Sarah Ababa fashioned out victories in similar fashions, closing out with 69 and 74, respectively, to run away with the Mindanao Regional Amateur golf championship crowns at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon Friday.

Arbole, who started the final round five shots clear of Banny Abano and Zanie Boy Gialon, thwarted his rivals’ threat right at the frontside and went on to post a whopping seven-stroke victory over Abano with a 10-under 278 aggregate.

The ICTSI-Cangolf bet knocked in an eagle on the par-5 No. 9, making the turn at 32 before cruising at the backside of the muddied layout en route to victory in the event presented by Pancake House and SOC Land.

Abano shot a 71 and wound up second at 285 while ICTSI-The Country Club’s Zannie Boy Gialon, who led in the second round, struggled with a second straight 75 for third at 289 in the tournament also backed by Ping, Callaway and Odyssey Golf and Del Monte.

“I hit the ball pretty well all week and was able to keep myself out of trouble,” said Arbole, who hit a 3-wood from 260 yards to within 15 feet on No. 9.

Raymond Jaraula, also of ICTSI-TCC, placed fourth with a 291 after a 74 while Magno Arancon Jr. finished fifth with a 293 after a 69.

Ababa, on the other hand, completed a wire-to-wire triumph in the ladies’ side of the event, conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils., as she turned in a 74 for a three-shot romp over ICTSI teammate Daniella Uy.

Ababa tallied a 54-hole total of 228 while Uy pooled a 231 after a 76. Sunshine Baraquiel wound up third at 233 after a 75.

Meanwhile, Abano, Arancon and Noel Langamin, who placed seventh with a 296 after a 75, received all-expense paid trips for the Philippine Amateur Championship slated next month at Riviera as the top local finishers. Eva Miñoza (78-236) and Kristen Leonen (76-238) took the two others incentives in the ladies side.