Negrido romps off to five-shot victory

Nonoy Negrido sustained his winning streak by topping boys Class A in runaway fashion after a closing four-under-par 68 yesterday in the inaugural Philippines-Japan Invitational golf tournament at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club course.

Negrido, a senior at the MCA-Montessori High School, tamed the wind-lashed course with six birdies against only two bogeys to complete a three-leg sweep of the holiday break series of the Samsung Jungolf Tour

The son of a Villamor teaching pro posted a two-day total of 140, winning by five over first round co-leader Miko Alejandro who had a 73 for 145. Justin Tambunting placed third at 150 after a 73 with Hirotsugu Kokubo, placing seventh at 82-159, emerging as best-placed Japanese.

Tonton Asistio stole the limelight with a tournament-best five-under-par 67 that gave him a 10-stroke victory in boys Class B. With a 141 total, Asistio finished far ahead of Miko Yee (74-151) and Mikee Camitoc (76-153).

Not to be outdone, Remijin Camping roared to an unchallenged victory in girls Class A as she closed out with a 74-147 to beat Jayvie Agojo (82-163) by 16 shots in the event sponsored by Tagaytay Midlands, IWSI, Milkjoy, Comworks, Bong Lopez Golf, Nelson de Villa and La Jolla Golf.

Winning the special division for boys was JR Gonzales who benefitted from a big collapse of AR Ramos down the stretch.

Ramos led by three with three holes to go only to pick up double-bogeys on the 16th and 18th and allowed Gonzales to escape with a one-stroke victory. Gonzales parred the last three holes for an 83-166 while Ramos ended up with 84-167.

Debbie de Villa joined the winners’ roster with her 91-185 giving her a five-shot win over Cyna Rodriguez (94-190). Beverly Mendoza (88-191) placed third.

Gerry Handog, president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, and other association officials handed out the awards to the top finishers of the tourney together with Loi Bernardino of Tagaytay Midlands.

Handog said that barring any travel hitches, a local delegation will fly to Fukuoka this coming April to grant the invitation of the Japanese visitors and the Philippine-Japan Camaraderie Association who facilitated the holding of the dual meet.

"We have accepted the invitation and our Japanese friends promised they will be sending teams to our next international events because of the big success of the dual meet," said Handog.

Prior to winning yesterday, Negrido had topped his division in the Nike Christmas Classic and the Alabang Invitational.