Philam shows way in Nokia golf finals

Philam Homes lived up to its billing as the team to beat in the Nokia Intervillage grand finals as it pooled a 283-point output to set in motion its title-retention bid at the start of the 36-hole championship at Valley Golf Club’s executive course in Antipolo Monday.

With Amadeo Ungson firing 40 points under the Stableford scoring system and seven others backing him up with solid rounds, Philam Homes raced to a 14-point lead in the overall championship over Don Enrique Heights, which churned out the day’s second best score of 269 to likewise lead the B Division of the annual event sponsored by Nokia.

Other scorers for Philam Homes in this event supported by Alaxan, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Pisanti golf wear, 357 Boracay, Kaiseki Japanese Cuisine and BJ Marthel International, were Felix de Vera (38), Efren Cruz (36), Junie Fontanilla (36), Arnel Agustin (35), Joey Lanusa (33) Jose Carlo David (33) and Raul Regalado (32).

Green Meadows also built a big 15-point lead in the A Division, which gathers the champion teams in the 36-hole eliminations, as it put in a 264 to pace former titlist Greenhills, which had a 249, and Alabang Hills, which scored 248.

Don Enrique Heights stormed upfront in the B Division, 11 points ahead of Bel-Air, BF Homes and Casa Verde, which all scored identical 258s.

White Plains, a former overall champion, likewise took an 11-point lead in the C Division as it came up with a 260. Tahanan scored 249 for second followed by Loyola Grand Villas (232) and Magallanes (218) in that order.

In the accompanying individual competitions, Loyola Grand Villas‚ Marty Ilagan took the top plum by scoring 23 points while Amadeo Ungson of Philam Homes scored 30 points to top Group 2. Other first round winners were White Plains‚ Reggie Manalo (30) in Group

3, Don Enrique Heights‚ Romeo Ignacio (25) in Group 4 and Casa Verde‚s Alex Revilla (23) in Group 5.

The final 18 holes of the annual event, organized by Videocom in its continuing effort to foster camaraderie and goodwill among village golfers, will be played on July 14 at the Legends Course of the Manila Southwoods.