Palos Verdes resident golf instructor Rekrek Mesi showed his mastery of his home course Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club by besting the field of 100 golfers in the recently concluded 1st Omerta Cup golf tournament.
Mesi, a former pro but reverted back as an amateur during the pandemic, showed how to tame the pretty but tricky Cabantian course with a gross 68 to take the overall gross title while upcoming young Davao golfer James Morente grabbed the overall net plum with his 67 on the System 36 format tournament.
It was supposed to be hot and humid sunny day but lightning struck twice as Mesi aside from grabbing the overall gross trophy also hit an ace in the crocodile-infested hole no. 2 of the par-72 golf course. Mesi pocketed an additional P25,000 as prize for the hole in one.
The tournament was organized by an alumni group of PISAY ( Philippine Science High School) Southern Mindanao Campus and named after their business venture, the Omerta Bistro and Lounge which opened in December 2019 but went on a hiatus during the pandemic and went full blast only on early part of 2022.
“This is our way of celebrating our third year in the business and to introduce further our brand of service to the public. Mind you sir, am a fan of The Godfather movie trilogy thus the name OMERTA (derived from the Mafia parlance meaning Code of Silence ), but unlike the movie, we would like to break the silence and instead announce to the world our premium food, drinks and entertainment on a relaxed atmosphere and family themed place,” organizer Engr Mendrado “Poypoy” Canuza III said.
Davao’s rising star EJ Casintajan topped the Class A division with his one over par 73 besting Randy Arevalo by two strokes while another youngster Jing Tan got the net title with his 67 spiked by 5 birdies.
Peter Baruis emerged as the gross champion for Class B with an 82 and won via countback over Jan Bararquias. Glen Enginco meanwhile topped the net title with a 70 also by countback over another young and upcoming star of Davao golf Enzo Magno, the son of Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Magno.
For Class C division, Jonathan Ong scored 90 and took the gross champ title while Dick Arellano took the net title diadem with his 71.
Petite lady golfer Maricel Kim grabbed the overall gross title for the distaff side with her 84 and perennial winner Milou Tan Babol, the daughter of the late Manny Tan took the Overall Net Title with her Net score 73.
“Part of the proceeds for this tournament will go to the Golden Heart Fund, a scholarship program for the young students of the Philippine Science High School as our way of giving back to our alma mater,” said Bryan Good of the organizing committee and owner of Good Cargo Solutions forwarding company.
Premium foods, drinks and raffle prizes kept the golfers glued in their seats the rest of the night while entertained by a live band singing 60s hits during the awarding ceremony held at the Omerta Bistro and Lounge at the seventh Floor of Bormaheco Building along JP Laurel Ave.
“This tournament is not only about golf and fellowship but we would also ensure that the golfers will enjoy the premium food, live band entertainment and the unique ambience of the place,” Engr Canusa concluded.
