Kim clinches crown in SL Palos Verdes

Davao – Brian Kim scored his lowest output, a five-over-par 77, but it hardly mattered as no one from the championship division came close to challenging him for the title in the  Sta. Lucia Amateur Series’ elimination stage at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.

The 27-year-old bet from Eagle Ridge closed out with a 221 total in 54 holes.  With this victory, he qualifies for the Tournament of Champions, the final event at the Beverly Place Golf Club from Aug. 27-29 of this year’s series organized by Sta. Lucia Land.

Jelbert Gamolo finished runner up with a 227 after a 76 in the event sponsored by Wilcon Depot, Pomelo Tee, Davies Paints, Mizuno and Kang Ho Bong.

Kim salvaged a 39 in the outward nine spiked a triple bogey 8 and bogey start in the first two holes with a string of three birdies from No. 3. He was at 2-over after the 16th until a late bogey on the 17th and three-putt mishap for double bogey 6 gave him a 38 for that 77.

He will be in a tough battle at Beverly Place as he battles local ace Rupert Zaragosa and Korean Park Min-ung for the ultimate championship.  Also, the winner there will be accorded an all-expense trip to Hong Kong and participate in the Hong Kong Amateur Open in Fanling.

Rancho Palos Verdes’ Jerico Bajo used his extensive course knowledge in scoring 77 and 79 for 156 as he topped Class A by three strokes over Eric Arbues’ 159 (82-77).

The other winners were Kang Ho Bong 168 (84-84) in Class B, Maricel Kim 163 (80-83) in Ladies-A and Jaime Tan Sr. 148 (74-74).