Apo, Iloilo teams, Susarno pace Uratex Caddies

ANTIPOLO CITY– Apo and Iloilo scored 221 cards, Bacolod’s Julius Susarno fired a 70 and Cebu City’s Roderick Borja got an ace yesterday to share opening day honors in the 15th Uratex national Caddies Championship.

Ranild Glimada carded a 72 to power Apo for a piece of the lead in the battle for the men’s team crown while Elmer Saban scored a 74 and Jonel Ababa added a 75. Their fourth man, Dante Torres did not count with his 86.

Rene Menor paced Iloilo with a 72, followed by Rey Sinfuego 74 and Orlando Sequinto 75. Junie Visinica’s 78 did not count.

Susarno’s effort was even par at the relatively short but equally challenging 5,396-yard Valley Golf and Country Club’s Executive course and took a two-shot lead in the men’s individual competition.

A total of 71 teams — 53 men and 18 women — is competing in the event to break the old mark of 64 set last year in the tournament the late business tycoon Robert Cheng launched in 1988 to help the caddies.

But if Susarno, Iloilo and Apo are up in the leader boards, the earliest and certainly the biggest winner in the P2-million tournament was Borja of Japan Air resort, formerly known as Kang Irag.

He shot a hole-in-one at the par three, 158-yard 11th hole to defy odds of one million to one and win P100,000 from Yakult president Victory Dy Sun and P5,000 from Valley — both in the form of gift certificates.

Borja 33, used an eight iron Ping eye and No. 33 Tour Special ball in again achieving every golfer’s dream. In last year’s event, he aced No. 6 to win P50,000 from Dy Sun and P5,000 from Valley Golf.

Completing Borja’s foursome were Amado Eso of the Bacolod Golf Club, Peninsula’s Hermie Asfaro and Quirino Apas of Club Filipino de Cebu.

Highlighting the first round action of the tournament confined to Filipino bag toters was the traditional hitting of ceremonial balls with Sen. Tito Sotto as guest.

It marked the 15th time in 16 years he has done the honors in what is generally regarded as one of the most unique tournaments in the world.

The other special guests who also hit ceremonial drives were Frank Manalo, Eddie Gallor, Damian Pe, Greg Pangan and Albert Yap, the brother of Cheng’s widow Naty.

The family matriarch and only son Big boy were busy at their RGC Group of Companies offices but the Chengs were represented by daughters Pinky Rosagas and Peachy Medina.

Another special guest who was invited again was Jose Miguel Arroyo, the President’s husband. The Cheng family is staging the tournament in coordination with the First Gentleman Foundation.

Also present during the first round action were tournament co-chairmen Col. Abe Villanueva and members Taby Tabaniag, Jake Ayson and roger Flores.

"We would like to thank all our guests and caddies from all over the country," the Cheng sisters said. "This is their exclusive national tournament and we wish them all the luck."

Valley’s Alvin Mijares, Ruben de la Rosa of Wack Wack and Puerto Azul’s Jessie Alit came up with 72s to share second place with Menor and Glimada in the men’s individual event.

Lumbia, Bacolod and host Valley Golf and Country Club came up with 233 apiece to tie for second place in the men’s team event, followed by Mount Malindang and Negros Occidental with 224.

Wack Wack started defense of the coveted championship with a 227.

The men’s team and individual competitions are for 72 holes. After another practice round yesterday, the women start today their own 54-hole battle for individual honors.