HOLE-IN-ONE: Rocky Aquino of Bibak Northeast iGolfers USA, who scored a hole-in-one at Baguio Country Club (BCC) Hole No. 15. He will drive home Toyota Raize . Photo courtesy of Fil-Am Media.
BAGUIO CITY — Luisita Golf and Country Club stamped its class once more, clinching a dominant back-to-back championship in the Seniors Fil Championship Flight with an imposing 454 aggregate (132-127-96-99), while Mamala Bay staged a fiery final-round comeback to seize the Am Championship crown in the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Golf Invitational.
But the loudest cheers of the day erupted at Baguio Country Club’s Hole No. 15, where Rocky Aquino of Bibak Northeast iGolfers USA aced the par-3 beauty to win a brand-new Toyota Raize, becoming one of the tournament’s most memorable headline-makers.
Luisita’s title defense was anchored by Abraham ‘Abe’ Rosal and Benjie Sumulong, who both carded 29 to lead their squad’s closing-round 99 at BCC. Team captain Gerard Jeric Hechanova stepped in for the injured Ronald Littaua and delivered 21 points, while Ferdie Barbosa contributed 20.
Rosal also emerged as the top individual scorer in Group 1 with 127 points, highlighted by a blistering three-under 39 at John Hay on opening day. Sumulong finished third in the same division with 113.
Srixon IMG I settled for second with 415 (107-119-94-95), led by Junjun Plana’s 27, with Joseph Tambunting (25), Ramon ‘Thirdy’ Escano III (23), and Francis Roger Telan (20) completing the charge. Teammate Demetrio ‘Demy’ Saclot ranked third in Group 1 individual scoring with 114.
Riviera Golf claimed third overall with 411 (113-121-90-87), drawing solid contributions from Kyung Young Jung (23), Chan Yeong Gim (22), and 21 apiece from Koji Yasuma and Erwin Mendiola.
Over at Camp John Hay, Mamala Bay erased a two-point deficit entering the final day and unleashed a decisive 118 to overtake longtime leader Green Water, which faltered with 108 and finished with a 396 aggregate. Mamala Bay clinched the Am Championship at 404 (83-87-116-118).
Chris Howard powered the champions with a stellar 33 in the final round, backed by Bill Conners (31), Dale Jorgenson (30), and Vince Sturbaum (25).
Summit Point placed third with 386 (81-93-102-110), followed by Srixon IMG Team 2 with 350 (82-75-95-98) and Team CAGC with 321 (81-76-71-95).
Other standout finishers in the event backed by Januarius Holdings Inc. as title sponsor, with Malbon Phil’s, Toyota, Oroderm, and Mazda as major partners:
Fil A – John Hay 366, Baguio Blue Bloods 352, FODC 346, Baguio Country Club 1 346
Fil B – Sandigan 82 Team 1 319, UltraFlite 1 317, Macquarie Links Sydney Team 1 305
Fil C – Golden Razcals 323, Benlife Seniors 1 306, Waterlympics Pampanga 294
Am A – Moto 329, The Young Ones 320, TigerMade Maagir 307
Am B – Stallion Golfers 366, MCG-Mimosa 339, Seattle Fil-Am 296
Am C – Bughaw Golfers 319, Sandigan 82 Team 2 294, 3K Immipugo 286
With strong finishes, dramatic swings, and a celebratory hole-in-one, the 75th Januarius Fil-Am once again delivered the tradition, excitement, and camaraderie that define the country’s longest-running and most prestigious amateur golf tournament.
