Mario King is BiG 2014 Golfer of the Year

CEBU, Philippines - Mario King of Nito’s International Ventures Inc. has been hailed as the Golfer of the Year in the 21st Business in Golf Tournament played Thursday at the Cebu Country Club.

King, who played for BPI team 5 in the 18-hole tournament that used the Modified Stableford Scoring System, fired a total of nine-under-par 45 points to win the top individual honors.

The Golfer of  the Year title goes to the player with the most points among the company representatives or alternates to the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The lowest gross title went to Marko Sarmiento, who played for BPI-10, firing two-under-par 38 points.

Nestor Mendoza of BPI-18 bagged the lowest net honors with 13-under-par 49 points.

Cebu Holdings Inc. team 2 won the top honors in the team event with a total of 158 points in the four-to-play, all-to-count format.

Ace Serafin led the team with 46 points while Miguel Martinez made 41, Alfonso Martinez had 38, and Catrina Martinez shot 33 points.

Second place went to BPI-7 with 156 points.  The team was composed of Tito Pintor with 48 points, Allan Alfon 39, Alex Pimentel 36, and Mat Jo 33.

Team X took the third place honors with 155 points.  It was composed of Junrey Pelayo (44), Andrew Cañete (38), Bernie Dablio (37) and Edgar Panuncillo (36).

Marko Sarmiento also won the special prize for the longest drive on hole No. 8 hitting a 300-yard tee shot.  Jack Huang was nearest to the pin on hole No. 3 leaving 10 feet for a birdie putt while the most accurate drive winners on hole No. 16 were Junie Cimafranca and Flor Streegan.

The BiG is part of the Cebu Business Month celebration of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This year’s, said BiG chairman Aljim Jamandre, has been different, as tournament slots were given for free. He thanked Bank of the Philippine Islands and the Ayala Business Club for supporting the tournament.

Gracing the awards ceremony were incumbent CCCI president Tess Chan and past presidents Ben Dapat, Francis Monera, and Prudgie Gesta.

A total of 155 players took part in the tournament. (PR from www.fullpointcebu.com)