PGTI suspends Pagunsan – again

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Golf Tournaments, Inc., organizer of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, has suspended Juvic Pagunsan for the rest of the season for the same offense when he was first sacked two years ago.

Pagunsan pulled out of the singles matches in the final round of The Duel – North vs South last June, leaving the South squad without an anchor and enabling the North team to pull off a come-from-behind victory in the event which pitted the region’s leading players in a Ryder Cup-style format event.

Although South coach Jerome Delariarte said his prized ward “was not feeling well” and decided not to show up in the final round, the PGTI still suspended the talented but erring shotmaker for his failure to explain his uncalled-for action.

“Our tournament director (Henry Arabelo) sent you an e-mail on June 14, requesting for a written explanation on your non-appearance. However, neither Arabelo nor we received any reply from you despite the opportunity given to you to explain your side,” said the PGTI in a letter to Pagunsan dated July 16.

“The PGTI board of directors has decided to impose a penalty of suspension until the end of the current year. Consequently, you will not be allowed to play in tournaments organized by PGTI until Dec. 31, 2013,” according to PGTI.

The PGTI cited Pagunsan’s frequent violations of the Members Handbook and General Regulations which constitute a material break of the player’s obligations in respect to his participation in the PGTI tournaments.

The PGTI also fined the 2011 Asian Tour No. 1 a penalty of P25,000.

Pagunsan also pulled out without notice in the first round of the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship and in the second day of the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship, both in 2010.

Pagunsan, a former ICTSI PGT OOM winner in 2012, could not be reached for comment.

In 2011, Pagunsan walked out of the Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI in Cebu after refusing to abide by the club’s house rules, prompting the PGTI to sack him.

“Your withdrawal has also caught media attention and elicited negative feedback that injured the reputation and goodwill of the PGTI, as well as its sponsors-stakeholders and fellow competitors in violation of the Code of Behavior,” said the PGTI.