By NIMROD NL QUIÑONES
National golf team member Weiwei Gao fired a gross seven-under-par 65 on Sunday to bag the top honors in the Alta Vista Fun Golf Tournament, but an ace scored by Ian Crystal last Saturday served as the main highlight of this annual year-end event of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Pardo, Cebu City.
Crystal aced the 170-yard hole No. 15 to win a windfall of prizes that were put at stake on that hole.
For his feat, which was his first-ever ace, he won a residential lot from Santa Lucia Realty and Development Inc., a Tornado 2e cab and chassis from Foton, a Haojue motorcycle from Norkis Trading, an atmospheric water generator from San Gabriel Metal Arts, a trip to Cambodia from Marist Royal Holidays Travel and Tours, Php 50,000 from Empire Insurance, Php 10,000 from Island Paints, and a six-night stay at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.
Crystal’s ace, which was achieved using a Mizuno MX25 three iron and a Callaway ball, was witnessed by his father Rey, Alta Vista Director Atty. Mat Jo, and Ben Ermac.
Gao, a junior golf standout, who is now a mainstay of the national team, fired three-under-par 32 on the front nine and shot four-under-par 33 on the back for a gross 65. He bagged the lowest gross honors of the two-day, 18-hole event.
The lowest net plum went to Felix Chua with 60 strokes off a gross 91.
Marlo Cugtas topped class A with a net score of 63 strokes. First runner-up was Lee Young Moo with a net score of 65 beating Alex Yeo in the countback. Yeo settled for the second runner-up honors.
Jude Demiar won the class B title with a net score of 62 while first runner-up honors went to Danny Reyes with 65. Second runner-up was Rudy Carvajal with a net score of 67 beating four others in the countback.
Edgar Mantuhac fired a net score of 62 to take the class C title after edging Butch Tubio in the countback. Tubio settled for the first runner-up plaque. Alvin Lim bagged the second runner-up honors with 65 strokes.
Razi Razon won the lowest gross honors for the seniors’ division (55 to 69 years old) with six-over-par 78 beating two other players in the countback. The lowest net honors for this group went to Philip Huang with 63 strokes. First runner-up was Billy Cañedo with 65 beating Rolando Alberto, who settled for the 2nd runner-up honors, in the countback.
Jack Lee bagged the title for the super seniors (70 years old and above) category with a net score of 66 strokes. Runner-up honors went to Ed Franco with 68.
Choi Yi Hwa ruled the ladies division with a net score of 63 strokes while the runner-up honors went to Lalai Lava with a net score of 70 beating Son Seung Yon in the countback.
Glen Mayam topped the guest division with a net score of 63 strokes while Baltaire Balangauan took the first runner-up honors with 65 beating Chito Villareal, who was second runner-up, in the countback.
Over 300 players took part in the tournament, which was exclusive to members of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club and the guests of the sponsors.
