Pro stars come out swinging at Sta. Elena

MANILA, Philippines - The professional stars mixed it up with the amateurs in what was supposed to be an amateurs-only event. No wonder golfers say it’s more fun at Sta. Elena.

Juvic Pagunsan, the Asian Tour No. 1 preparing early for a career-changing season that will see him play at the British Open, made a rare appearance in a member-guest event and played alongside business tycoon Rico Tantoco in the Sta. Elena Cup tournament of the multi-awarded club in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Three other pro stars, Guido Van der Valk, Rick Gibson and former Philippine Open champion Angelo Que, are in the field, adding luster to a cast already featuring some of the country’s best club players.

Testing the superb conditions of the course was the obvious intention as the speed of the greens was likened to pro Tour quality, the main challenge of the competition presented by Omega and Lexus which disallowed gimmes and mulligans.

The other sponsors are Canon, SAP, Mizuno, Tourmaster, Club Car, Yamaha, L’Oreal, Asia Brewery, Novellino, Selecta and Chivas Regal.

“It’s in very good shape,” said Gibson, once a member of the club who is himself deep in training for a revival of his Asian Tour campaign. Van der Valk, a Dutchman who has set Manila as his base, is a member of Sta. Elena.

“We’re honored by their presence and their appreciation of the course conditions is a big pat on the back not just for the maintenance team but the Sta. Elena organization as a whole,” said Sta. Elena general manager Junie Ledesma.

Meanwhile, the teams of Nelson Leung-Manny Alarilla and Egay San Luis-Jayvee Agojo set the early pace in the net and gross competitions, respectively, after the completion of the first round scores.

Leung and Alarilla combined for 82 points for a point lead over Rene Roy-Ricky Dagelet and Jun Jun Lopez-Monchit Mackay in the net play. In the gross battle San Luis and national player Agojo scored a 67 to go two up on reigning champs, Martin Lorenzo and Tommy Manotoc.