Venturelink ties Forest Hills behind Gonzales, Zaragosa

BAGUIO, Philippines – The young guns of AAV-Venturelink-Robros took over to assemble 133 points and tie Forest Hills at the helm, eight points ahead of multi-titled Manila Southwoods and 12 up on defending champion Mizuno at the start of the Fil-Champ of the Fil-Am invitational golf tournament at Camp John Hay here yesterday.

Raymund Gonzales Jr. sizzled with a three-under 66 worth 39 points while former national champion Rupert Zaragosa carded a 70 for 35 points and Theody Pascual and Teddy Quizon added 31 and 28, respectively, for AAV Venturelink-Robros.

“This is the first time that we took the lead and we hope to maintain that,” said Nilo Pascual of Venturelink.

Gonzales gunned down three birdies to negate his three bogeys and vowed to do better tomorrow (today) against the expected charge of the big guns in the tournament backed by Toyota, Adams Golf, Pacsports, Nike Golf, Empire Golf, Wilson and Rudy Project.

“The greens are great,” said Gonzales, a first-timer in the event. “I will just play my game tomorrow (today) and hope for the best.”

Zaragosa, who saw action in the Asian Amateurs last month, had one birdie against two bogeys for his one over card in also his first Fil-Am stint.

Edsel Tan matched par 69 for 36 points while En Jae Kim made a 35 and Raffy Garcia and Jin Ho Kim each shot 31 points for Forest Hills’ 133-point total.

Manila Southwoods struggled with a 125 as Steve Yoon made a 34, John Kier Abdon had a 31 and Jun Jun Plana and Shean Bedi carded identical 30s.

“It’s really a bad game. We didn’t perform that well,” said Bedi.

Clyde Cabreros turned in a 32, while Chester Calpotura and Fred Puckett scored 31 each and Jeff Razon made a 29 as Baguio City Golf Team scored a 123 for fourth, ahead of the Mizuno Superstars, who settled for a 121.

King Stehmeier shot 32 points, Rodel Mangulabnan had a 31 while former pro golfers Raymund Sangil and Vince Lauron groped for 30 and 28 points for Mizuno’s 121 total.

Thirdy Escaño shot 29 points as Matikas 83 took a one-point lead over Tourmaster Golf All Star in the Am-Champ at the Baguio Country Club course.

Jong Soo Park added a 28, Erwin Temena made a 26 and Rading Decepida chipped in 24 for Matikas’ 97-point output.

Tourmaster got 30 points from Antonio Payumo, a 27 from JB Garcia, a 26 from Den de Castro and 23 from Joaquin Tolentino for the team’s 106 aggregate.