After week of sweltering heat, the sunbaked Apo Golf provided the needed challenge to more than 200 brave golfers who answered the two shotgun starts on Saturday for the First Very Worshipful and Illustrious Jonathan Montillo Memorial golf tournament in Apo Golf and Country Club.
And indeed, Apo’s sleek greens and tight fairways once again lived up true form by giving more heartaches and frustrations to all pretenders.
Apo Golf topnotch golfer Vincent Gumapac survived the treacherous course and bagged the Overall Gross title with his 47 Molave points while unheralded lady golfer Ruby Sato, a 27 handicapper tallied 63 Molave points to garner the Overall Net crown.
“This event is in celebration of the life of a great philanthropist and an avid golfer, the late most worshipful and illustrious Jonathan Montillo. We are honoring him for his philanthropic works with the support of his Masonic brothers” said Chokie Montillo Ortega, tournament director, who along with the family members of the Montillo clan came in full support of the activity in honor of their late father. “All the proceeds of this tournament will go directly to the beneficiaries nearest to his heart.”
Jungolfer Aldrein Gialon carded 47 Molave points to top Class A with Karlos Alba (44) as runner up. Ronald Galicia (51) won via countback over Jared Saban to cop the Overall Net diadem for Class A.
Ed Bullecer (44) and Kim Panaguiton (57) emerged as Gross and Net Champions for Class B with Gian Bullecer (41) and Jumbo Sotto (57) copping the runner up honors for Gross and Net respectively.
Class C division was topped by Jun Quijada (38) and Erap Bedico (60) for the Gross and Net title while Daniel Escudero (37) and Gherber Ngo (58) took home the runner up honors.
Veteran Larry Baluso (47) and Fortune dela Rama (58) shared the bounty for the Seniors division Gross and Net top plum with Edwin Cayamanda (42) and Edwin Ledesma (56) taking the runner up loot for the division.
“The proceeds of this tournament will go directly to the following beneficiaries; Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Burn Unit, the SPMC Shriners Ward for Children with Club Foot, the House of Hope Orphanage, the Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc. and the DML 149 Scholarship Foundation (Davao Masonic Lodge)” said Jake Ortega, Tournament vice chairman.
The ladies’ division A Gross title went to Joy Quibol (42) with Pauline Tamayo (52) got her share for the Net title. Evelyn Quinsay (35) and Charine Kato (52) settled for the runner up honors for the gross and net respectively.
The Gross and net title for the Ladies Division 2 (Handicap 19 and above) were cornered by two Koreans Myung Seon Park (38) and Duri Ko (53) while Maribel Lee (32) and Rutchie Albers (51) settled for the runner up honors.
Golfers were glued to their seats with the bountiful raffle prizes and entertainment provided by a live band during the awarding fellowship while partaking the buffet dinner and overflowing drinks offered by the host.
“We appreciate very much your support, our sponsors and friends, our brothers in Masonry but most especially you golfers, daghan kaayong salamat,” concluded Atty Jeff Coronel, tournament co chairman.
