Jimenez, Cailao rule Sta. Elena

MANILA, Philippines - Antonio Cailao and Dino Jimenez shared the limelight with high-profile tandems Richie Garcia-Chihiro Ikeda and Guido Van der Valk in the recent Sta. Elena Cup member-guest golf tournament in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Cailao, a 25-handicapper, and his 10-handicap guest partner Jimenez beat their handicaps with scores of 76 and 83, respectively, for a 159 aggregate that won them the overall title of the event which had Lexus and Omega as major sponsors.

Garcia, the former Philippine sports commissioner, and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Ikeda took the low gross award with their 63 and 70 points, respectively, and a 133 total.

Stealing the show were top pros Van der Valk, a Sta. Elena member, and Angelo Que who could have easily romped off with the top awards had they been eligible. Guido shot gross rounds of 66-66 and Que 65-67 from the blue tees like the rest of the amateur men’s field.

The tourney staked a Lexus RX350 worth P4.2 million that two players came so close to winning. Lucky entries among the 540 participants went home with a Caribbean Cruise on board the world’s largest cruise ship and pricey Omega watches that were raffled off.

The other sponsors were Baron Travel, Mizuno, L’Oreal, Camp John Hay, Kart Plaza/Yamaha, Sta. Elena Properties, Novellino’s, Selecta and Burger King

The winners in Class A were Vince Tanjutco and Davao-based Monchit McKay who combined for a net 150. Class B went to Titos Castro and Raymond Lacdao who matched the 145 of Bert Lina and Owen Fulo then won in the tiebreak. The Class C trophy was won by Jessalyn Tang and Berndette Wong with their 144.

Gross and net medalists for Day 1 were Ikeda and Ruben and top jungolfer Tabuena and Jimenez for Day 2. National player Tonton Asistio took the individual low gross trophy with an even-par 72 total while Tan claimed the net plum.