Victoria takes 16th Interstate Friendship Golf Cup, Sandoval tops with 139

The domination by the Australasian Golf Club of Melbourne continues when it easily bagged the 16th series of the Interstate Friendship Golf cup held this month in the Philippines.

At the conclusion of the tournament which ran for four days from last 2-5 March, Ross Sandoval of New South Wales received the individual overall championship trophy. Fil-Com Sports Club of ACT also agreed to play host to next year’s tournament.

The recent win by the Melbourneans is their 4th consecutive win. They also fielded the most number of participants in the tournament, now considered the longest running and most attended golf tournament by interstate Filipino-Australians and their friends.

This year’s tournament saw participating golfers from the original state members, namely, Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory. Northern Territory who sent the most numbers of participants last year and was the host state opted to pass this year along with Western Australia.

Overall champions and winners

Individual overall champion was Ross Sandoval of New South Wales with his four days score of 139 points. He received a monumental trophy and P5000 for his exceptional play.

“I really did not expect to win as my score on the final day was only 31 points” said the very ecstatic Ross Sandoval, whose one point edge was enough to clinch the most prestigious victory of all.

Grade A overall champion was Mico Nepomuceno of Melbourne with total score of 137 points for the four days stint, winning by count back against Dino Francisco of Brisbane. He received a trophy and P1000 for his efforts.

Grade B overall champion was Leo Briones also of Melbourne with his total score of 138 points during the four days tournament. He also received trophy and P1000.

First day winners were Lito Magnaye (38 points) of Melbourne for Grade A and Jay delos Reyes (35 points) of Sydney for Grade B.

Second day winners were Noel Vega (39 points) for Grade A and Joe Aguila (36 points) for Grade B, both from Melbourne.

Third day winners were Kelly Maglalang (40 points) for Grade A and Mario Pedrola (37 points) for Grade B, also both from Melbourne.

Final day winners were Mico Nepomuceno with his 41 points for Grade A and Ely Marcelino (a visitor) with his unbeatable 45 points for Grade B. This was the day that all scores were very high as it was played at Valley Golf & Country Club’s Executive course, the shortest course in the four-day sports competition.

All daily winners received trophies and P1000 each.

Four par three’s were chosen daily as nearest the pin (NTP) feature holes. Winners were awarded P300 each as consolation prizes. Mario Pedrola from Melbourne had the most number of NTP wins, followed by Noel Manansala from Sydney.

Friendship and sportsmanship

Judging from the comments and enthusiasm of the participants, the 16th Interstate Friendship golf cup had achieved its original goal and concept of improving the camaraderie, friendship and sportsmanship among Fil-Aussie golfers whilst playing the game of golf that they all loved.

All the visitors were in unison for agreeing and planned to join again next year.

This year’s Interstate Friendship Golf cup is sponsored by DMCI Homes represented by Dennis Bernal, International sales Manager for Australia and Oceania. DMCI donated all the trophies and t-shirts to all the participants.

Kalayaan and 2011 tournaments

Next year’s 17th Interstate Friendship golf cup series will be hosted by Fil-Com Sports Club of ACT, captained by Carlos Patindol. He promised to bring more participants and inject new ideas to the tournament for the benefit of all participants. Fil-Com president Ariel Pattugalan and former captain Toti Umali are expected to be back in action.

For next year, new golf courses would be explored and that there would be a one-day break in the four-day tournament.

Meanwhile, preparation is now under way for the 15th Kalayaan cup golf tournament to be held on 14 June, Monday long weekend at Richmond Golf Club Ltd.

The Kalayaan golf event is a regular celebration activity in Sydney of Philippine Independence.

*** Ric de Vera is Fil-oz President and coordinator of the 16th Interstate Friendship golf cup.

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