Farrarons-Salimbangon duo paces Coral Invitational

The tandem of Enrique Farrarons and Freddie Salimbangon coasted to the early lead in the 26th Coral Invitational Golf Tournament after the first round of the tournament at the Cebu Country Club yesterday.

This member-guest tournament is the club's signature event.

Farrarons fired even-par 36 points in the Modified Scoring System and got a big lift from Salimbangon, who carded ten-under-par 46.

The scoring format awards six points for a double-eagle, five for an ace, four for eagle, three for birdie, two for par, and one for bogey.

One point behind is the tandem of Gabriel Yap, Jr. and Anthony Bejar. Yap shot eight-under-par 44 points while Bejar added one-under-par 37.

Dr. Amado 'Boy' Layno shot 36 points and his fellow doctor and partner, Alfredo Abundo, Jr. added 40 points to put their team at solo third with 76 points.

Two teams composed of members from the same family fired 74 points apiece to share the fourth spot.

The father and son duo of Rudy and Gassy Lizares each shot 37 points. Cousins and fellow politicians Nino Bascon and Tining Martinez also combined for 74. Bascon, who is a councilor of San Remigio shot 41 points while Martinez, the mayor of the town of Bogo, shot 33 points.

Buddies Luis Moro and Toby Florendo are tied with the duo of Jerry Tan Uy and Ronald Wee at fifth spot with 73 points apiece.

Moro carded four-under-par 40 points while Florendo added 33. Uy had 31 points while Wee pulled him up with 42.

At stake for a hole-in-one in all par-3 holes is a Suzuki Grand Vitara. The player who will ace hole No. 5 will get an Aira Jacuzzi from Spa at Cebu as additional prize.

If the ace will be scored on the 13th, the player gets a watch from Lucerne while an ace on the 15th will also earn the player a Club Car golf cart from Club Car and the Turf Company.

In case more than one player will score an ace for the duration of the tournament, the players will have to equally share the prizes.

The player who scores an eagle on a par-4 hole will win a skygo motorcycle. In case there will be more than one player to score the feat the prize will be equally shared.

Major sponsors of the tournament are San Miguel Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Smart Communications Inc., and Cebu Mitsumi Inc.

The inner hole sponsors are Bank of Commerce, Birdies and Pars, Cebu Progress Commercial, Multi Turf Equipment, Inc., Petron Corp., Profood International Corp., San Sebastian/Alenter Foods, Sulpicio Lines inc., and Weyerhaeuser. China Trust and Water Boss are also supporting the event.

Teams will play two rounds within the four-day period until Saturday.

A Calcutta is scheduled tonight at the CCC ballroom.