De Castro, Kim rule Sta. Lucia Am T-of-C

MANILA, Philippines - Tom Kim and Denden de Castro fashioned out victories in varying fashions to top their respective sides in the Sta. Lucia Amateur Open Tournament of Champions at Beverly Place Golf Club in San Fernando, Pampanga yesterday and clinch berths in two premier Hong Kong tournaments in October.

Kim rebounded from a three-over 74 card in the second round with a two-under 69 and finished with an impressive 215 total to run away with the premier Open division crown in the 54-hole tournament put up by Sta. Lucia Realty.

The young Korean ace, winner of two NGAP national tournaments last summer, capped his romp with three birdies at the backside to negate a bogey mishap, posting a whopping 29-shot victory over William Tomanggong of Rancho Palos Verdes Davao, who turned in 82 for a 244.

De Castro, of Palos Verdes, struggled coming home but recovered in time with a clutch putt to save bogey on the final hole and defeated TJ Benitez of Orchard by two strokes in men’s Class A.

With their victories, Kim, 14, and De Castro will spearhead the Philippine contingent in the Hong Kong Amateur and Mid-Amateur Open slated Oct. 18-21 at the Clearwater Bay Club.

Orchard’s Nestor Sevilla took the men’s Class B diadem while Oh Jie-sik bagged the seniors plum in the tournament sponsored by A-Plus, Hexat, Pomelo Tee and U-Frieght.

Sharing the spotlight was Mariel Tee, who ruled the ladies of the event backed by Gatorade, VMJ Evergreen, Isuzu, ICSI, Palos Verdes, Mizuno, Kang Ho Bong, LK Golf, Burgers & Brewskies, WGC, Agrexplore, Orchard, Summit Point, Beverly Place, DBS, Rub Ribs and Eagle Ridge.