Siodina boosts bid with CAP golf win

Had his original plans pushed through, Mario Siodina should have been playing the US Seniors PGA Tour now. Up until visa problems got in the way, he was all set to join the qualifying event in Texas.

The cancellation of his US trip last November may just turn out to be a blessing in disguise as the College Assurance Plan Seniors Challenge suddenly came up, offering a chance for further improvement.

His recent victory in the Camp John Hay leg of the CAP Challenge is an indication of his resolve to catch up with the high level of play in the circuit of the world’s best 50-and-over players.

As if getting even with first leg winner Roger Antonio was not enough, the veteran World Cupper even finished 16th overall in the regular pro tour event.

The first mission was accomplished when Siodina shot 67-71 to beat Antonio’s 72-69 by three strokes. And when name players like Robert Pactolerin, Cesar Ababa and Dan Cruz missed the cut, Siodina easily did and his closing 66-72 earned him a windfall of almost P32,000.

Richard Sinfuego, meanwhile, became the second first-time winner of the new professional tour presented by CAP, MRT, Fil-Estate Group of Companies and the Camp John Hay Dev’t Co. when he nipped Japanese visitor Tonokazu Yoshinaga by a stroke.

Bob Sobrepeña, chair of The 2001 Professional Golf Tour, is all agog with the action and drama in the opening legs.

"The rivalry brewing between Mario (Siodina) and Roger (Antonio) and the rise of the young turks (first leg champion) Rey Pagunsan and Richard Sinfuego are signs of the things we can look forward to in the months ahead," he said.

Sobrepeña also praised the local pros for exhibiting such high level of play despite the lack of tournaments the past two years.

The tour resumes on March 22-25 with the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite hosting the third leg.

The Jack Nicklaus-designed Sherwoods is being touted as one of toughest tests the pro field can face with greens that should rank as among the fastest in the country and devilish winds that makes club selection very difficult.