Golf has been my primary outlet recently and when I was invited to participate in the first-ever Pawikan Cup at the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club (ACGSC), I was ecstatic! The tournament, a one-day event held in honor and in time for the onset of the sea turtle or pawikan’s nesting season, was composed of 64 teams of two players each or a total of 132 ACGSC members and guests from across the country.
The biggest tournament in the barely year-old golf club had its roots from the humble sea turtles or pawikan. Annually, starting October, these marine creatures lay their eggs on Anvaya Cove’s beach that hosts an average of nine sea turtle clutches every nesting season. In 2013, 805 eggs were laid on the beach, 92% of which survived and were released in the ocean.
ACGSC, an exclusive, non-profit membership club, features an 18-hole all-weather par 72 championship sustainable golf course, a world-class golf club, and an extensive sports complex —all delivered in the Ayala Land Premier’s tradition of excellence.
Players conquered the 7,200-yard course, designed by Golfplan partner Kevin Ramsey, and what a challenge it was! The wind conditions made playing a lot trickier than usual, not to mentioned the well-manicured greens prepared by golf director Steve McDonald and general manager George Cadhit. So coming out on top of the heap was really a big surprise for me!
The following were the winners of the event: member Francis Bumagat and Patrick Bagsic (Overall Gross champions), member Danilo Roleda and yours truly (Overall Net champions), Daniel Go and Delano Dimaunahan (Sponsor’s Division champions), member Jose Emmanuel Angeles and JB Garcia (Class A champions), member Roberto Umali and Danny Gregorio (Class A 1st runners-up), member Carlo and Cyril Castro (Class B champions), member Elizabeth Salazar and Marthy Fernando (Class B 1st runners-up), member Catherine Borja and Ma. Paz Domingo (Class C champions), member Ma. Christina Ligones and Carmela Lee (Class C 1st runners-up), member Porfirio and Ferdie Bagsic (Class D 1st champions), member Ronald Paulo and Rey Sales (Class D 1st runners-up).
Major event sponsors were Ayala Land Inc., Asia International Auctioneers Inc., Pacsports Nike, Subic Development Corp., and El Nido Resorts, while minor sponsors were Makati Development Corp. and Globe Business. Hole sponsors included Petrolier Corp., Technolux Equipment and Supply Corp., Pest Away Corp., G & W Club Shares Inc., Malayan Insurance Inc., Armada Hotel Manila, and Petron Corp. Hole-in-One sponsors were Club Car, Subaru/Motor Image Group, and MAA General Assurance Philippines, Inc.. Patronage sponsors were United Mega Force Security Services, Inc., Khent Air Condition and Refrigeration Shop, Sommelier Selection, and Alpha Quality Express Inc.
I look forward to defending our crown next year, and hopefully living up to my partners’ expectations once again. But regardless of the outcome, just getting the opportunity to play at Anvaya Cove is always a great experience in itself!
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