Espina-Garcia tandem paces View Invitational

CEBU, Philippines - The tandem of Edwin Espina and Tony Garcia set the early pace in first day of The View Invitational 2013, the annual member-guest tournament of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

Espina and Garcia combined for 78 points in the two-man team event using the Modified Stableford Scoring System.  Espina fired six-under-par 42 points while Garcia made even-par 36.

The format allows the players to only use three-fourths of their lowest handicap from the period of March to May this year.

Running second, as of presstime, is the tandem of Alvin Suarez and Baltaire Balangauan with a total of 75 points.  Suarez made 38 points while Balangauan had 37.

One point back is the duo of Henry Chu (35) and Noel abad (39) with 74 points.

At fourth is the team of Junjun Osmeña (38) and Gerry de la Rama (35) with 73 followed by the tandems of Jufil Sato (33) and Andot Mondares (39) and Ernesto Cabahug (38) and Orven Lim (34) with 72 apiece.

At stake as hole-in-one prizes are -- a car from Hyundai; Php 500,000 from Visayan Surety and AVGCC; a residential lot from Santa Lucia Realty; a golf cart from Club Car; Php 150,000 first bet coupons from Pagcor Casino Filipino; a motorcycle from Norkis Trading; hotel accommodations from Marco Polo Prince Hong Kong, Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, and Moevenpick Hotel Mactan; and a trip to Singapore from Marist Royal Holidays Travel and Tours.

These prizes are to specific holes during the tournament.

Skygo is also offering a motorcycle as prize for eagle on any of the par-4 holes.

In case more than one player will win a particular hole-in-one or eagle prize, these shall be equally shared.

There will be prizes at stake for the overall lowest gross, overall lowest net and the top three teams for the three handicap categories.  The lowest gross and the three best teams based on net scores for the seniors’ division will also get awards.

To qualify for the seniors’ division, a team must have no member less than 55 years old and their total age must not be less than 120 years.

Also supporting the tournament are Beneficial Life Insurance, Cebu Mitsumi, Taiyo Yuden, Stradcomm, Trends and Technologies, and Bryan Chona.

Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, Shooters Arms Manufacturing Coirp., and Timex Phils. are also backing the tournament.

Several other corporate sponsors have also their products and services on display at the clubhouse for the duration of the tournament.

The second day of the event will be played Friday and there are close to 200 teams participating.

Players are required to play 36 holes or two rounds during this four-day event.  The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday at the Alta Vista ballroom. (FREEMAN)