Manila, Philippines - Summit Point’s Dennis Gonzales ended Park Jung-soo’s quest for a third Samsung National Tournament of Club Champions crown as he hacked out a 1-up victory to advance to the semifinal round at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Faldo Course in Gen. Trias, Cavite last Thursday.
Gonzales, who also bundled out Sta. Elena’s Glenn de Leon via a 1-up win in the first round at Norman layout, held his own against the top-seeded Eastridge bet, knocked down a clutch par putt on the 18th then watched his rival fumble with a bogey to produce the biggest win in the match play phase of the annual event sponsored by Samsung.
He goes for a final berth against Valley Golf’s fifth seed Adrian Mauricio, who also upended No. 4 Louie Garcia of Orchard, 2 and 1, in their own side of the quarterfinal duel in the week-long tournament held in partnership with Eagle Ridge GCC and its developers Sta. Lucia Realty and Alsons Land, Inc. and Inquirer Golf.
But while Park fell by the wayside, No. 2 Richard Joson of Royal Northwoods lived up to his seeding as he booted out Mt. Malarayat’s Gerald Katigbak, 5 and 4, to set up a Final Four clash with third seed Cho Han Pyo of Eagle Ridge.
Cho, who saw off Baguio Country Club’s Nelson Eslao in the previous round, won the 18th hole to complete a 2-up victory over JP Reyes of Manila Golf in the event backed by Microtel as official hotel, Airphil Express, Mizuno, Glucoscare Tea, Footjoy and Titleist by Empire, Custom Clubmakers and Omnisource International.
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The semis was being played at the Dye layout at presstime, along with the seniors side, with the winners clashing for the championship today back at the Faldo course.
Disputing the final berths in seniors play are top seed Lino Magpantay and No. 5 King Sumulong of Eastridge, and Royal Northwoods’ No. 7 Tomas Joson and sixth seed Carlos Coscolluela of Alabang.
Meanwhile, fourth seed Beachie Abiera of Tagaytay Highlands/Midlands, held off Jane Villegas of Rancho Palos Verdes, 2 and 1, to arrange a semis showdown with top seed Tina Gonzales of Orchard in the ladies side of the tournament which gathers champions of the country’s leading golf clubs.
Mela Lee of Ayala Greenfields also rolled into the semis after Iloilo GC’s Maggie Rivera conceded after 12 holes. Lee, the third seed, will take on No. 2 Olive Yoon of Mt. Malarayat for the other championship seat.