“Purihin ang Diyos (Praise the lord), this event is a celebration of life,”Arnold Clavio, Chairman of Igan ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc Chairman said as he expressed his appreciation and thanks to the God Almighty during his opening remarks at the Fellowship and awards night for the 21st Igan Cup golf tournament on Friday August30,2024 at the Eastridge Golf and Country Club in Binangonan, Rizal.
Close to 300 golfers, sponsors, friends from the entertainment industry and media heeded the two shotgun starts for one of the longest if not the longest runningcelebrity golf tournament in the country.
It will be recalled that Arnold” Igan” Clavio suffered a hemorrhagic stroke last June 11,2024 on his way home after playing golf in Eastridge Golf. Given the second chance of life and now living on a borrowed time, Igan vowed to spend every minute of it for a meaningful cause and one of which is giving back to his beneficiaries in the Igan ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc. through this golf tournament.
Pedro Zapanta fired a net 69 aided by three birdies to copped the Overall Net champion diadem for the regular division with Jeffrey Sevilla copping the Low gross diademfor his 79. Edge Davao Columnist Chito Malabanan took the top honors for the Celebrities-Media division with his single birdie on final hole for this System 36 format golf.
Class A division title went to Mon Fernando (86) with his net 71 winning via countback over Patrick Disini for the same score.
Lino Jarilla (95) prevailed over Joel Alcasid via countback after scoring a net 72 to rule the Class B division.
Celebrity friends Michael V, Dingdong Avanzado, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon and ex PBA star Vince Hizon took turns in hitting the balls for the Ceremonial tee off to the delight of the caddies of the Eastridge golf.
The Class C diadem went to Danilo Villamin (108) after netting a 75 with Rum Albert Borromeo taking up the runner up honors with his net 78.
Ex PBA star Vince Hizon bagged the runner up honors for the Celebrity-Media division losing by a stroke to eventual champion Chito Malabanan of Edge Davao.
It was night of the Hizons however, as wife Patricia Bermudez-Hizon also bagged the top honors for the Ladies Division and as the night went on to conclude the awards night, their daughter, four-year-old Patrice Hizon, also the youngest participant, got the 65 inch LG Smart TV as the grand raffle prize.
Special prizes were also given to the following:
Longest Drive on Hole No 7 – Danilo Chua (297 yards)
Most Accurate Drive – Danny Villamin (hitting the target on centerline)
Nearest to the Pin on Hole No 3- Jesus Sison (12 inches)
Most Exercised Player – Ranel Borromeo (142 Gross)
“Igan set aside an amount of 1,000 pesos daily from the winning bets or from his own pocket if he loses in friendly bets until the completion of his 100 days nonstop playing golf that culminated on second week of April 2024” broadcaster Ely Saludar said to me during the game.
Arnold “Igan” Clavio also presented a cheque worth 100,000 pesos to the Duyan Project, the recipient of his one hundred days of golf.
“As I was recuperating from my stroke in the hospital, a big question keeps playing on my mind. Shall I forego or continue this year’s Igan Cup. I decided to go on with the tournament; I need to give back, since God gave me a new lease of life for a purpose. With that inspiration on my mind, through your prayers, and most especially from the blessings of High above, I persevere in my therapy. ThankGod we are all here now, celebrating the 21st Igan Cup.Purihin ang Panginoon” said Clavio as he thanked everyone for the successful tournament.
“See you all next year for the 22nd edition of Igan Cup.Maraming Salamat” Igan concluded.
