Takahashi takes plum in Cheling Garcia golf

CEBU, Philippines - Kiyofumi Takahashi scored two-under-par 70 strokes last Saturday to win the top honors of the 5th Cheling Garcia Cup at the Cebu Country Club.

Takahashi bagged the lowest gross honors in the event held in honor of the former president of the club, who passed away on August 2004.

Ricky Brown bagged the class A title with a net score of 68 off a gross 76 winning it via the countback over junior golf standout LJ Go, who had a net 68 off a gross 72.

Go settled for the runner-up honors.

Marko Sarmiento, a grandson of Cheling, said that this was the first time their family opened the door to sponsors, who are mostly their friends and business partners.

The class B title went to Michael Go, who scored a tournament-best net score of 63 strokes off a gross 77.

Runner-up honors went to Eric Borja with a net score of 67.

The class C plum went to Marcelo Tan with a net score of 65 while runner-up honors went to Cesar Libi with a net score of 66.

Tsuyoshi Koike topped class D with a net score of 65 and Noel Ybañez took the runner-up honors with his net 66 strokes.

The backers of the tournament were Vivant Corp., Veco, Cebu Energy Development Corp., Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Aboitiz Power, Skygo and Pro Homes.

Also supporting the competition were Mai-I, Amlan Hydro Power Inc., Rhine Marketing, Redgolf, Landco, Birdies & Pars, Rainbow, and Havaianas.

The seniors’ division title went to Edgar Chiongbian with a net score of 64 while runner-up honors went to Baldomero Estenzo with a net score of 70.

Dino Yap topped the guest division with a net score of 74 strokes edging Angelo Marquez in the countback. Marquez took the runner-up trophy.

The other sponsors of the event were Club Serena Resort, Blaze Manufacturing, Electrobus, Kanyoen, David’s, San Sebastian, Cesar Libi, Juanito Uy, Jojo Alquizola, Frankie Miñoza, Jason Lim, and Johnny Roxas. (THE FREEMAN)