Southwoods claims two crowns in the breeze

BAGUIO, Philippines – With a lead so insurmountable, the boys from Manila Southwoods took it easy on the last day as they scored a double victory yesterday by securing both the Fil and Am Championship titles of the 67th Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament presented by San Miguel in dominant fashion.

Yuto Katsuragawa closed with a three-under for 39 points and led the Fil team to 146 as Southwoods tallied 570 points and a 19-point win over Royal Northwoods which turned in the best score on the last day of play.

Katsuragawa practically burned the fairways of both courses after starting with a two over for 34 points at the BCC fairways. He, however, waxed hot in the second round as he scored a record three under for 39 at the short and tricky course punctuated with an eagle at the difficult hole 11. With his four under and three under at John Hay, the 17-year-old finished with an eye popping eight under for 152 points and a 10 shot win in Group 1 and over two teammates: Ira Alido and Kristoffer Arevalo. 

Alido, one of the 15 year olds for the team, settled with a one under for 37 and 142 total, edging Arevalo by a point after the latter made an even par for 36.

Another 15-year older Carl Corpus counted for Southwoods with his 34, even as Ryan Monsalve failed to count after a 32.

“With a lead so insurmountable, the boys took it easy and coasted to to victory. We told the boys to take it easy, enjoy the cool air and play stress free,” said captain Thirdy Escano.

“It was by far the most enjoyable round of the boys,” added Escano, whose Team Sparta landed fifth in the Am Championship.

Escano likewise said: “We thank the golf gods for a victorious round. We thank Southwoods management for the unqualified support of our Junior golf program.”