THE CHALLENGE: Cebu, Bukidnon bets start strong

CEBU, Philippines - Players from Cebu and Bukidnon set the early pace in the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club Junior Golf Challenge, which teed off Tuesday at the club’s shortened par-70 course in Pardo, Cebu City.

Gen Nagai of Cebu Country Club, the defending champion of the tournament, fired three-over-par 73 strokes to lead class A (15 to 17 years old category).

Nagai said that he went off to a bad start hitting his first tee shot out of bounds and had a double-bogey 6 on the first hole. He scored par the rest of the way, but had another bogey on the shortened hole No. 9, which is playing as a par-4 in the tournament to finish the front nine at three-over-par 37.

He had another bogey on the 10th then came back with a birdie on the 12th and 14th before making another bogey on the par-3 15th to finish the back nine at even-par 36.

Running second is 14-year-old Wei-wei Gao of host Alta Vista with 74 strokes on nines of 36 and 38.  Gao requested to be classified under the older age category.

Tied for third are Ram Roque of Del Monte and Jonas Magcalayo of The Junior Golf League of Manila with 77 strokes apiece.  John Hernandez of Alta Vista rounds up the top five with 80 strokes.

In class B (13 to 14 years old), Del Monte’s Jets Sajulga fired five-over-par 75 to lead the pack.  He scored nines of 37 and 38.

Tyler Po of Cebu Country Club is running second with 85 (44-41) while at third is Marlon Santiago of Del Monte with 86 (37-49).  Mactan’s Russel Bautista and         Guilbert Purcia IV both finished with 87 strokes.

In the special division, which is for players aged 18 to 21 years old, Ronel Sarigumba of Mactan holds a three-stroke lead against Sir Cross Abarintos of Alta Vista and John Catalan of TJGL.

Sarigumba fired 81 strokes on the first round hitting nines of 37 and 44.  Abarintos made 42 and 42 while Catalan had 43 and 41.

Players for the special division as well as classes A and B will play three rounds.  Those from the other age groups will start seeing action on Wednesday yet in this tournament presented by Alta Vista Golf and Country Club and backed by Restoserve Marketing Corp., General Milling Corp., GT Industrial Development Inc., Limtong Press, J Poon, Selecta, Pustanan Printers, and Aspac Global Commodities.

In the distaff side, Ericka Lim of Alta Vista and Del Monte’s Pamela Mariano pace class A with opening rounds of 84 strokes.  Lim fired nines of 38 and 46 while Mariano also had the same result.

Alyeska Yunam of Cebu Country Club is at third spot with 86 while twin sisters Gabee and Kylah Crystal of alta Vista each fired 88 strokes.

For class B, Lois Kaye Go of Cebu Country Club posted a five-shot lead with an opening round of 75 strokes.  At second spot is Rainstar Roque of Del Monte with 80 strokes. (PR from fullpointcebu.com)ore http://www.fullpointcebu.com/cebu-bukidnon-bets-start-strong-in-the-challenge/  (FREEMAN)