Surigao golfers bag three titles in Fil-Am tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Team Surigao of former congressman Ace Barbers captured a record three division championships, including the Fil-A and the Am-A titles in the recently-concluded 63rd Fil-Am Invitational Tournament held in Baguio City.

The Team Surigao I, composed of Ramon Capistrano, John Bertis, Roy Abalos, Ed Lopez and Carlo Packing, collected 434 points in the four-day event held at the Camp John Hay Golf Club in the first two rounds and in the Baguio Golf and Country Club in the final two rounds.

The team bested seven other squads in the Fil-A, beating the Philippine Navy Golf Club (429), the Haciendas de Naga (418), Rural Bankers II (403), Villa Cacho (400), Subic Gas (390), Baguio Golf Club (389) and Macquarie Links (374).

In the Am-A championship, the Team Surigao I had a dramatic finish as it bagged the title by a single point, as Barbers, Efren Alvez, Bing Alcantara, Benny Hurtado and Cesar Lacuna totaled 389 points to beat Forest Hills Country Club (388).

The former legislator Barbers and his teammates were actually six points behind heading to the last round after collecting a three-day total of 277 points (85-94-98), while Forest Hills had a total of 283 points (82-92-109) through three rounds.

However, Team Surigao I had a final round of 112 points while Forest Hills finished with 105 points, enough for the Barbers-led team to bag the title for the first time.

The other golf teams Surigao defeated in the Am-A were Mizuno Superstars (382), Benlife I (368), Fil-Am Chicago (328), Baguio Ventures II (327), Fil-Am League of Golfers-Chicago (325) and the Darwin Golf Club Australia (263).

Team Surigao’s champion team in the Fil-E division, on the other hand, is made up of Ely Polinag, Nong Madrid, Ariel Javelosa, Vic Se and Orly Mabutas as they finished 313 points.

Other members of Team Surigao that competed in the Fil-Am tournament’s various divisions are actor/host Epy Quizon, Hebert Magsino, Allen Buan, Marlon Leano, Jorge de Castro, Rene Estepa, Banjo Navarro and Ed Brocal.