Phl golfers gear up for Asean Srs

MANILA, Philippines - A crack 39-member Philippine delegation sets out for the 30th Asean Senior Amateur Golf Championships, confident of their chances against the region’s best in the event slated Sept. 15-20 in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

Federation of Philippine Amateur Senior Golfers, Inc. president Gen. Melchor Rosales said the Filipino bets expect to vie for top honors in both Stableford Play and Stroke Play formats of the six-nation meet set at Merapi and Borobudur Golf Courses.

“We’ve been winning some events in the age groups before and we hope to continue the tradition. This year, we’ll try our best to be able to compete in the team gross and team net events,” said Rosales.

The Philippines will be represented by Tiburcio Carandang, Vidal Querol, Tomas Joson, and Ricardo dela Paz in battle for the team gross event and will be bannered by Albert MG Garcia, Mario Lugay, Domingo Manuel and Eduardo Gador in the team net competition.

Rodolfo Alcantara will be vying in Group A (55-59), while Emilio Joven, Josefino Estrevillo, and German Doria will see action in Group B (60-64) in the 36-hole Stableford age group hostilities.

Rosales himself will compete in Group C (65-69) along with Arnold David, Nestor Santillan, Clyde Fernandez, Rolando Sacramento, Ernesto Bunye, and Isaias Begonia while Anselmo Rodriguez, Rudy Gamut, Ben Liclican, Lirio Escano Jr., Antonio Ong and Francisco Mariano will take part in Group D (70-74).

Mariano Tabalba and Jose Magno will carry Phl’s fight in Group E (75-over).

Slated for the 54-hole Stroke Play are Carandang, Querol, Joson, dela Paz, Garcia, Lugay, Raul Gonzales, Felipe Judan, Bonifacio de Castro, Domingo Manuel, Glicerio Sua, Reuben Lista, Leon Bucago, Jr., Gador, Fernando Reyla, Wilfred Pacpaco, Ador Faustino, Edgar Gurrea and Tomas Trinidad, federation director and president of the Canlubang Seniors.

“We’re among the smallest among six countries but I believe we’re competitive in all categories,” said Rosales.

The Pinoy golfers will be up against rivals from host Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei.