Host John Hay seals back-to-back romps

BAGUIO, Philippine s – Camp John Hay capped its four-day romp in the Seniors Fil Championship of the Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament with a closing 122 for a whopping 41-point victory over Maxima Komatsu at Camp John Hay here yesterday.

Fred Puckett carded a two-over 71 worth 34 points and led CJH’s final round charge that also saw him capture the individual crown in the premier division.

Park Jun Won added a 32, Clyde Cabreros had a 29, while Rudy Lockey chipped in 27 as CJH assembled a four-day total of 455 to retain the title.

Maxima Komatsu had a 102 for a 414 total as Florene de los Santos scored 30 points, Poch Hernandez made a 26, Junie Fontanilla had a 25, and Dennis Cabalfin added a 21.

Philippine Navy wound up third with 107 for 405 with Francisco Sumulong firing 31 points, Teodoro Runes scoring 29, and Jules Yarcia and Emile Alviar, Jr. adding 25 and 22 points, respectively.

CJH also completed its back-to-back title romp in the Am Championship at the nearby Baguio Country Club, finishing with an 88 for a 404.

Dragon Flyers wound up with 78 and 324 total for second, while Okinawa took third place with a 77 for 319.

“This is an easier victory than last year when we won by several strokes only,” said Puckett, who scored an even par at the shorter but trickier BCC course that practically set the tone for the rout.

“We are very happy. Each member contributed in winning the crown,” said CJH team member Bong Mandapat. “It was a well-balanced team and we are here to stay.”

It was the same Maxima Komatsu that denied CJH the title in 2009 when the visitors stole the crown via countback. 

Freddie Mendoza outpointed then CJH Fil team member Nelson Eslao by a point as Maxima Komatsu snatched the title, their fourth after winning the crown as Golden Oats the previous three years.

It was also the sixth overall individual title for Puckett, who lost just twice to Maxima Komatsu/Golden Oats players like Florene de los Santos and former member Iggy Clavecilla.

It was also the second title for Park who played his sixth Fil-Am event as the 69-year-old retired architect from Seoul made this city his home six years ago.

“The boys played good with both teams as champions and two individual champions. Hopefully we will get a third one next year and hopefully complete a grand slam,” said CJH golf manager Steve McDonalds.

“They are just superb the whole week with Nelson (Eslao) winning the individual title in the Am,” added McDonalds.

Eslao scored 25 points, while Mars Garcia, Ric Madayag and Jeong Sek Jun turned in similar 21s for the team’s final tally.

Eslao took the individual title with a 105 total as contender Lee Ki Sung struggled with just 16 points. 

Pines Golf of California shot 95 points to cop the Fil Seniors B title.

Saver’s ComClark shot a 97 for 375 points to clinch the Fil F title. Summer Capital GC-North made 28 points for a 102 as it settled for second in the tournament backed by Toyota, Pacsports, Illy, Empire and Wilson.

Waterlympics Clark wound up third after a 96 and 353 total.

Ric Santos shot 22 points as Fil-Hawaiian GC pooled a 76 and 333 for the Am Seniors B title.

Team Brassie finished second with a 303 after a 64 while Golf F Team ended up third after a 75 and 294 in the event backed by Fashion Rack, Air 21, Rizgolf, Supreme Bike, GPS Tracker, Golforce, San Miguel, Le Chef, Camp John Hay Development Corporation, Beaufort and Bayan Business.