Pueblo golfers surge ahead in PAL seniors

Pueblo de Oro stormed ahead of the Philippine Airlines Interclub seniors’ golf tournament Thursday following the exceptional performance of two Cebu-born golfers at the Alta Vista Golf Club in Pardo.

Clifford Celdran, who retired as Cebu Country Club general manager last year, fired a one-under par 71 for 55 points while Victor Yuvallos, a club member, added 52.

With Ed Yap chipping in 46, Pueblo de Oro posted 153 points, six shots ahead of Luisita and eight up on defending champion Canlubang.

Celdran, who had three birdies against two bogeys, said they did not expect to contend, adding they just got lucky.

Overshadowed by Pueblo’s surprise strong showing was Luisita Golf Club which drew an exceptional performance from Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia.

Garcia, the 67-year-old sports czar, matched par at the Alta Vista Golf Club to lead Luisita with 54 points. He had four birdies against the same number of bogeys.

Francis Gaston shot 47 and Seve Roxas-Chua added 46 as Luisita collected 147 points in the four-to-play, three-to-count event. Minieng Maravilla failed to count with 45.
Defending champion Canlubang was two points behind with 145 points.

Mari Hechanova led the Sugar Barons with 50 points while Rolly Viray had  49 points. Rene Unson chipped in 46 while Bing Bunye’s 42 did not count.

FOUNDERS DIV
A four-horse race shaped up in the Founders division with Manila Golf Club surging in front with 146 points.

Bryan Cockrel fired 52 while Fausto Preysler tallied 49 for Manila Golf Club. The 45 of either Arsenic Lacson or Severo Jose Tuason also counted.

A point behind was Los Angeles-based Red Hawk who drew 50 from Robert Welsh 50, 49 from David Capistrano and 46 from Jimmy Velasco.

Host Alta Vista took third spot with 142 points, thanks to Akira Hatano’s 48, Edgardo Acain’s 47 and Agapito Suan’s 47.

Cebu Country Club, one of the pre-tournament favorites, had a modest start of 141. CCC received 49 from Masatsugu Ochiai, 48 from Edito Tirol and 44 from Seok Kim Kwang.

CCC president Ramontito Garcia said that while they had a disappointing start, he remains upbeat about their chances.

“I believe that anyone who scores well at Club Filipino will have the best chance of winning,” said Garcia.

The second round today will be played at the Club Filipino de Cebu in Danao City. /PR with Correspondent Jonas Panerio