MANILA, Philippines - Jaime Fernandez bucked the windy condition with crisp iron shots and precision putting to score 43 Stableford points, an equivalent to a net seven-under-par 65, and nail the Division A title over Wilbert Tan, who made a 41, in the recent sixth MercedesTrophy Invitational at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Richie Santos, a former five-time jetski champion and Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) awardee, carded a 43 to beat Jose Emmanuel Angeles’ 42 in Division B. Angel Lee submitted a 40 for an easy victory in Class C off Anthony Eugenio’s 36.
Marissa Vergara shot a net even 72 under the Systems 36 format and carted away the ladies division tiara in the one-day tournament which had Cathay Pacific, Shell Philippines (V-Power), PLDT Business Solutions, SMART Enterprise, Arrow Shirts and TW Steel as presenters.
With their victories, each class champion was awarded handsome crystal trophies, team golf bags and team watches from TW Steel while earning slots to the MercedesTrophy Asian Final in Queensland, Australia slated Aug. 24-26.
Airline partner Cathay Pacific will fly the winners together with CATS Motors, Inc. (CATS) president and delegation head Felix Ang and PR director and country captain Emy Arcilla on board CX’s new business class section.
Runners-up Tan, Angeles and Eugenio will also be joining the CATS-Philippines squad and similarly have the chance of showing off their skills at the Hope Island and Glades Golf courses, the beautiful host venues of the nine-nation MercedesTrophy Asian Final.
“I am excited and looking forward to our trip to Australia. I believe that we have a good line-up this year. Hopefully, our representatives bring home the awards,” Ang said.
Former champion Rafael Raymundo (70) and Bryan Cockrell (70) captured the guests and sponsors divisions, respectively, in the event sponsored by Sta. Elena, Makati Shangri-La, Security Bank, Titleist, Canon, Seaboard-Eastern Insurance, Asia Brewery, Johnnie Walker, Inquirer Golf and Business Mirror.