By Adriano Flores | Inquirer Golf | November-December 2014
As his players celebrated beside the 18th green of the posh Baguio Country Club, team captain Thirdy Escano watched quietly nearby, thanking people who congratulated him. The trademark tipid smile was ever present, partially hiding the jubilation that he truly felt–because finally, Manila Southwoods broke a five-year title drought in the annual Fil-Am Golf Invitational.
It was clearly a statement victory–35 points against Ventureslink-AAV Builders-Robros. Yet he continued to downplay it. He was quite content to be able to fulfill his promise to the Southwoods Board.
“I am thankful to chairman Bob (Sobrepeña) and the rest of the Board of Directors for continuously believing in me. They have been entrusting me to build a champion team over the years through the Southwoods’ junior and amateur golf program.”
As he explained this, he was close to breaking into tears, very emotional after getting another 100 percent support from the club. In fact, beginning again this year, he is being given the go-signal to scour the provinces and discover new talents that would be infused in the team.
“It is a big responsibility, and I’m taking it. It’s my way of giving back something to the sport that has been very good to me,” said Escano, who used to guide the likes of current pros Angelo Que, Artemio Murakami, and Michael Bibat, to name a few.
Among those he praised in the just-concluded Fil-Am wars were Justin Qui ban and prize-find Yuto Katsuragawa.
Quiban, 15, is a product of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP), and has represented the Philippines in a number of international tournaments as a national team member.
The 17-year-old Filipino-Japanese Yuto wanted to play golf but his parents did not have the resources to sustain his passion. A friend approached Escano, and the latter saw in Yuto a potentially bright future. In turn, Escano recommended the kid to Sobrepeña.
“If you feel that Yuto has what it takes to be a winner, give him the opportunity he deserves. You have my blessings,” was Sobrepeña’s reply.
Escano also thanked veterans like Tonlits Asistio, Chepe Dulay, Joseph Tambunting, and Junjun Plana for showing to Quiban and Yuto the experience needed in major tournaments such as the Fil-Am.
“I have a solid core in them. And the Southwoods Board has decided to bring in the same squad to the PAL Interclub in Cagayan de Oro next year,” Escano added.
The 35-point romp of Manila Southwoods over Ventureslink-AAV Builders-Robros (542-507) in the Fil Championship division is now the second highest winning margin in the Fil-Am. The record belongs to Club Marinduque, which won by 47 in the Am Championship over, ironically, Southwoods (531-484) back in 2007.
One of the best finishes by Southwoods was in 2001. Calatagan, with then amateurs Jay Bayron and Juvic Pagunsan on board, was 17 points ahead but lost as Southwoods, composed of Plana, Jerome Delariarte, Cookie La’O and Michael Que, rallied in the final two days at the Baguio Country Club, and won by one point.
The 65th San Miguel Fil-Am Golf Invitational saw team rosters filled with the country’s top amateurs. Ventureslink-AAV Builders-Robros had Rupert Zaragosa and Raymund Gonzales; San Miguel Corporation boasted of Ira Alido, Lanz Uy, and JP de Claro; and Northwoods tapped Carlo Villaroman and Philippe Palanca.
The seniors’ competition, on the other hand, is benefitting from the brewing friendly rivalry between Mega Fiber and Pugo Adventure. Last year, Mega Fiber survived its foe’s last round charge. This time, Pugo Adventure scored an emphatic 31-point triumph in the Fil Championship.
After a week of non-stop sporting thrills, the 2nd Resorts World Manila Masters produced some world-class golf action out on the greens of the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite.
With some of the world’s best athletes vying for a shot at the country’s richest golf tournament to date, the Resorts World Manila Masters brought out superb performances throughout the week’s play. One tournament highlight came from last year’s runner up Prom Meesawat from Thailand. During the 3rd round, the Thai was about to beat the Manila Southwoods course record by posting a 63, nine under the 72 shot par.
“I played good from the tee and gave myself chances for my second shot. Every putt fitted my eye. I started to hole some putts from the second and third holes and I started to get my feeling back. I hit it good and it was a good finish on the 18th with the eagle. I’m really happy to shoot a 63,” Prom said.
The course record stood at 64 which was tied by Canadian Richard T. Lee during the final day of inaugural RWM Masters and was set 15 years ago by local golf legend Frankie Miñoza. To prove the high level of play during this year’s tournament, three players shot 64 during the 3rd round, Jbe’ Kruger from South Africa, Berry Henson from USA, and runner up Lionel Weber from France.
“I’m not surprised really because these guys just go for the pins and the greens are perfect. We give them good conditions to play and it gets easier for them. It just means that these players are getting better every year. Overall, the course conditions are getting better and the players are getting better so we have to keep matching,” said Manila Southwoods General Manager Mark Watson.
In the end, it was the consistent play of Singapore’s Mardan Mamat that stole the show with a runaway six shot victory to take home the RWM Masters title. “It means a lot to me,” said a tearful Mardan, who fell on his knees kissing the ground after tapping in for par at the last hole for what was his career third start-to-finish victory.
Resorts World Manila Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly said, “This is the second year of the Resorts World Manila Masters and I’d like to give special thanks to the partners who have made this event possible. First of all, Bob Sobrepeña and the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club for having the course in fantastic condition, our presenter 918.com because without their support all of this would not have been possible, and the myriad of sponsors who joined us for this particular tournament. It’s been a fantastic finish and we have a truly worthy champion.”
Resorts World Manila Masters 2014 was presented by 918.com and sponsored by Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club (Host Venue), Bally Technologies, Aristocrat International Gaming Technology, Renoir Implementation Services, Marriott, Philippine Airlines, Maybank, PLDT, and Avis.
