By NIMROD NL QUINONES
Lloyd Jefferson ‘LJ’ Go, who is on vacation from Seton Hall University in New Jersey where he is part of the school’s golf team showed a lot of class in the 8th Albino D. Gothong Memorial Golf Tournament also known as the Amo Cup as he fired the best gross of the two-day, 18-hole event at the Cebu Country Club.
With a very dry course condition, the long-hitting Go carded five-under-par 67 strokes to take home the lowest gross honors for class A. He hit nines of 32 and 35.
The lowest net honors for the premiere handicap category went to Dr. Arnold Tan with 64 strokes off a gross 75 strokes.
First runner-up was Peter Tyler Po, who fired an eagle-aided gross even-par 72 strokes and finished with a net score of 66. Second runner-up was Marko Sarmiento with a net score of 67 off a gross 72 edging Harvey Sytiongsa in the countback.
In class B, Mariano Selma fired 78 strokes on nines of 40 and 38 to bag the lowest gross honors beating Teddy Almario in the countback.
The lowest net honors went to Ben Ngujo with 62 strokes off a gross 80. First runner-up was Paolo Alberto with 63 strokes while Robert Booth was second runner-up with a net score of 64 edging Junjun Osmena and rob Primm in the countback.
Pampio Abarintos is making the most of his time as a retiree as the former Appelate Court Justice ruled class C with a gross score of 77 strokes on nines of 39 and 38.
The lowest net honors for the group went to Regino Sanchez with 59 strokes off a gross 82 beating Celso Advincula in the countback. Advincula, who also had a net 59 off a gross 87, settled for the first runner-up honors. Second runner-up was Jingo Abellana with a net score of 62 beating Zaldy Casinillo, Titing Gamallo, and Nimrod Quinones in the countback.
The lowest gross plum for the seniors’ division (55 years old and above) went to Koichi Horii with three-over-par 75 strokes.
The lowest net winner for the group was Boy Alegre with 60 strokes off a gross 78. First runner-up was Raul Mabanto with 61 while Hermes Tanggaan was second runner-up with 63 strokes after beating Ed Franco in the countback.
Lois Kaye ‘LK” Go, younger sister of LJ, ruled the ladies division with a gross score of even-par 72 strokes.
The lowest net honors for the distaff side went o Kathleen Chiongbian with 66 off a gross 98 while first runner-up was Riko Nagai with 67 edging eventual second runner-up Eva Hino in the countback.
Tyler Po also won a Skygo motorcycle for scoring an eagle on the par-5 Hole No. 16.
The tournament organized by Alpa Foundation Inc. was held in honor for the late Albino D. Gothong, a popular sportsman and philanthropist, who passed on more than eight years ago.
No player was able to score a hole-in-one and win the Mercedes Benz B180 that was put on the line on all par-3 holes.
The awards ceremony was graced by Albino’s widow, Pacita, his children Bambi and Benjo, as well as other members of the family.
