Top Pinoy golfer suspended for rest of season

Juvic Pagunsan, arguably the country’s best golfer, found himself in hot water with the Philippine Golf Tournaments Inc. as he was suspended for the remainder of the season for the very same offense that he got in trouble two years ago.

Pagunsan pulled out from the final round of the The Duel-North vs South last June and according to South coach Jerome Delariarte, reasoned that “he was not feeling well.”

However, upon further investigation, Pagunsan failed to explain his absence properly, leading to the suspension.

“Our tournament director (Henry Arabelo) sent you an e-mail on June 14, requesting for a written explanation on your non-appearance. However, neither Arabelo nor we received any reply from you despite the opportunity given to you to explain your side,” said PGTI general manager Colo Ventosa in a letter to Pagunsan dated July 16.

“The PGTI board of directors has decided to impose a penalty of suspension until the end of the current year. Consequently, you will not be allowed to play in tournaments organized by PGTI until Dec. 31, 2013,” added Ventosa.

The PGTI cited Pagunsan’s frequent violations of the Members Handbook and General Regulations, which constitute a material break of the player’s obligations in respect to his participation in the PGTI tournaments. The PGTI also fined the 2011 Asian Tour No. 1 a penalty of P25,000.

Pagunsan also pulled out without notice in the first round of the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship and in the second day of the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship, both in 2010.

In 2011, Pagunsan walked out of the Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI in Cebu after refusing to abide by the club’s house rules, prompting the PGTI to sack him.