Pinoy golfers flash fine form, open title defense

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – The Filipino golfers, doing good in their last practice round yesterday, start their campaign in the 24th SEA Games golf today, hopeful to have a good shot in both the individual and team championships.

Ferdie Aunzo fired a three-under 69 while Mark Fernando carded a two-under 70, raising the team’s hopes for a fine showing as the 72-hole event gets under way at the well-manicured Bonanza Golf and Country Club course in Kaoyai, about 100 kilometers away from the city.

Despite late changes in the compositions of both the men’s and women’s teams, non-playing captain Caloy Coscolluela expressed optimism they can hold their ground in the SEAG golf where Team Philippines copped the men’s individual and team golds while the ladies took two silvers at The Country Club course in Canlubang in 2005.

It was the same course only two weeks back where the men’s team had a stirring finish, rallying to within two strokes of eventual champion Thailand at the conclusion of the 2007 Putra Cup.

The Philippines is battling here practically the same teams it had faced in the Putra Cup where it closed out with an 862 for second place. Singapore was third with 868, Indonesia fourth with 879 and Malaysia fifth with 891.

The men’s team, however, will be minus top gun Jay Bayron, who’s been replaced by reigning national amateur champion Anthony Fernando. Jonel Ababa completes the roster.

Regina de Guzman, Chihiro Ikeda and Anya Tanpinco compose the women’s lineup with US golf scholars Jayvie Agojo and Dottie Ardina unable to get clearance from their respective schools to play here.

Nonetheless, Coscolluela isn’t ruling out a win by the team.

Anthony Fernando scored six under while Ababa seven under in the last practice rounds in the long, tricky layout. The two, however, hope to make good in the tournament proper. – Nelson Beltran