Garcia snatches record victory at CCC C'ship

CEBU, Philippines - Ramontito Garcia bagged a record-setting seventh title in the Cebu Country Club Championships last Saturday.

Garcia, one of the most admired players of the club, edged out former champion Jovi Neri in their 36-hole matchplay final, 2 up with 1 hole to go.

Garcia, who strung five straight club titles in the 1990s made it to the final with a 3 and 2 win over Lloyd Jefferson Go in the semifinals and a 5 and 4 win over Bayani Garcia in the quarterfinals.

Neri, chairman of the club’s junior golf committee, scored a 3 and 2 win over Mark Dy in the semis and a similar triumph over Charles Daniel Uy in the quarterfinals.

The class B crown went to Kim Kwang Seok, who ran roughshod over Nonoy Tirol 8 and 7 in the 18-hole final.

Manuel Dy won the class C title with a 3 and 2 win over Jack Limyutian while Noel Ybañez scored a 1-up after 20 holes squeaker over Alfonso Tan to top class D.

Masatsugu Ochiai dropped Anton Florendo in the final of the seniors’ division, 5 and 4 to claim the crown while Tony Jackson once again ruled the super seniors’ class with a 5 and 3 win over Ryosuke Sekiguchi.

Neri won the lowest gross honors for the qualifying round with a two-day total of two-under-par 142 on rounds of 73 and 69 while Ernesto Siguan had the lowest net with a two-day total of 12-under-par 132 on rounds of 64 and 68.

Charles Daniel Uy won class A with a two-day total of 136 (68-68) while Kento Nakada took the runner-up honors with 137 (71-66) after edging Macky Michael in the countback.

The class B title went to Nonoy Tirol with 134 (65-69) while the runner-up honors went to Michael Go with 138 (71-67).

Marcelo Tan ruled class C with 133 (67-66) and runner-up honors went to Alvin Tan with 135 (72-63).

Rhoudie Tiu won class D with 141 (71-70) as Alfonso Tan took the runner-up plum with 148 (77-71).

Ochiai won the seniors’ title with 133 (66-67) and runner-up honors went to Wellington Lim with 139 (71-68).

Francis Zosa topped the super seniors or 70 years old and up division with 148 (74-74) with Jackson finishing as runner-up with 150 (73-77) after a countback with Sekiguchi. – NLQ (THE FREEMAN)