Davao upstages field in SL Amateur opener

Pampanga, Philippines – The opening day of Sta. Lucia Amateur Series Open Tournament of Champions turned out to be a Davao show as three of its players took the first round lead despite the testy conditions at the Beverly Place Golf Club yesterday.

Jerico Bajo of Palos Verdes spearheaded the assault after shooting an eight-over 78 under the searing heat, spiked by four bogeys in each nine of Beverly’s challenging par-70 layout for a two-shot edge off Orchard’s TJ Benitez in men’s Class A.

Bajo was down five in the outward nine as Benitez rolled in birdies on Nos. 1 and 9 to negate a bogey on No. 2.  But the latter collapsed in the last nine, including a quadruple bogey 8 on the 11th and back-to-back double bogeys from No. 17.

Other PV bets, Maricel Kim and Jaime Tan showed the way in ladies’ Class A and seniors play while the young Riane Casquejo, also of Orchard, submitted the day’s best score of three-over 75 to go up by four off Summit Point’s Walter Lacuesta.

In the seniors’ category, Tan made a 77, followed by Eagle Ridge’s Lee Tong-hwa 77 and Nestor Sevilla 82 in the season ender of the series by Sta. Lucia Land in partnership with Wilcon Depot, Pomelo Tee, Davies Paints, Mizuno and Kang Ho Bong.

Interconnect Systems, Alpha Quality Express, Dizon, Ecostrong, Texas Eagle, Isuzu Phils., Rub Rubs & BBQ, VMJ Evergreen, U-Freight, Microtel by Wyndham and WGC Golf are backers.