Golden Oats resumes three-peat bid at BCC

BAGUIO – Golden Oats tries to firm up its bid for a third straight crown as action in the Fil Championship Division shifts to the par-61 Baguio Country Club starting today.

The back-to-back defending champions, headed by Iggy Clavecilla, Francis Gaston, Bong Sison and Florene delos Santos, pooled 248 points under the Stableford scoring system to post a six-point cushion over their John Hay rivals at Camp John Hay Golf Club.

“I’m very happy that we’re on top but I’ll be happier if we get our three-peat,” said Eugene Arriesgado, owner of Golden Oats.

But the Oat Makers remain wary of their chances, saying they need to play it smart on the short but tricky layout to ensure the victory.

“I told the guys to play it smart at BCC. We can’t be too aggressive out there. A little mistake could erase our lead and turn our campaign into a nightmare,” Golden Oats team manager Freddie Mendoza said.

With a 242 total, Camp John Hay has vowed to come out strong to wheel back into contention.

“Golden Oats is a formidable team but we will do our very best to stop them. Hopefully things will turn around in the last rounds,” Gen. Nelson Eslao, skipper of John Hay, which ruled the 2005 edition of the annual event.

Tipped to carry the fight for John Hay are Fil-Am veterans Fred Puckett, Clyde Cabreros, Korean Jung Won-park and Bjorn Anderson.

Nueva Ecija Golf Club, with former Sen. Tito Sotto in the roster, and newcomer The Country Club share third place with 224s.

Meanwhile, ABW Leaves of Life Golf team and Camp Aguinaldo show the way with 225s in the Fil A Division of the seniors’ side of the tournament.

Ben Jacinto made 34 points, equivalent to a two-over 71 card at the par-69 John Hay Golf Club, to lead ABW’s 110-point output. Buddy Velayo had 31 points, Albert MG Garcia carded 26 points, while Bo Tuason and Benny Alcantara had 19 points each, one of which didn’t count.

Aguinaldo drew 32 points from Rey Ochosa, 28 from Ed Gador, 27 from Dante Tejada and 23 from Art Alabanza to catch ABW at the helm.

Mizuno fired the second best for the day of 108 for a 212 total.

Philippine Navy, with Ted Runes scoring an ace en route to 29 points, slid to fourth with a 202.

Club Intramuros scored 84 points to zero in on the Fil B crown with a 25-point lead from a three-round total of 278. Reynaldo Ulob led Intramuros with 23 points, while Rupert Bayucot, Paulino Petralba and Pedro Lopez tossed in 22, 21 and 18 points, respectively.

Terry Ueno made 23 points to power Aloha to an 83-point production for 224 points and a 23-point lead in Seniors Am B. Intramuros remained at second spot with 69 and 201 total, four ahead of East Loch, which carded a 78 for a 197.