RP bets dominate HK golf

Tonton Asistio and Louise Manalo led the ICTSI bets’ domination of the 2008 Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau International Amateur Open, romping away with the men’s and ladies championships at the Kau Sai Chau’s north course in Hong Kong yesterday.

Asistio submitted his first over par round in three days, carding a one-over 73 on a windy day but still ran away with the crown with a 54-hole aggregate of even-par 216. He had a nine-stroke victory over former national champion Anthony Fernando, who closed out with a six-over 78, and Marc Leich of Australia, who shot a 73.

It was an inspiring victory for Asistio, winner of the recent Canlubang Am Open and fourth in last week’s Hong Kong Amateur Open, who gunned down four birdies inside within nine feet against an opening hole bogey and a pair of double bogeys on Nos. 4 and 13.

Peter Villaber, who led in the first round with a 71, skied to a 79 and settled for fourth with a 226, one shot ahead of Hong Kong’s Stephen Lam, who turned in a 79 for a 227.

Manalo came through with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 but had seven bogeys in a challenging day, finishing with a 78 for a 224 and an eight-stroke victory over compatriot Chihiro Ikeda, who had a 232 after a 78.