TEENAGE golfers showed the way as Manila Southwoods surged to an eight-point lead after one round of the premier Fil Championship of the Fil-Am Invitational on Tuesday at the Baguio City Country Club.
National juniors match play champion Ira Alido came up with the day’s best one over 62 for 35 points as he powered the eight-time champions to a 131.
Alido, one of three 15-year-olds in the squad, hit two bogeys and a birdie.
Yuto Katsuragawa, 16, scored 34 points, while 17-year-old Kristoffer Arevalo came up with 30 points.
Ryan Corpus, 15, added 30 points, while 15-year-old Aidric Chan came up with a 29 that did not count.
“It was a steady game although my birdie shots did not drop in several holes,” said Alido.
Srixon Forest Hills was in second at 123, with an ailing Rupert Zaragosa showing the way with a two over 63 for 34 points.
JP de Claro scored 33, while Jude Eustaquio and Luigi Miguel Guerero counted with 28s for Forest Hills, which sat in solo second after Royal Northwoods was handed a two-point penalty.
Richard Joson shot a 63 for 34 points to lead Northwoods, Carlo Villaroman scored 32, Luis Castro added 31 and Richnell Albano scored 26 for a 123 total.
But Albano was meted with a two points deduction when he putted after a bogey at the 15th hole and Northwoods sat in third at 121.
Defending champion San Miguel-Northern Cement could only score 117 points, 14 points off.
Eddie Bagtas and AnicetoMandanas scored 30s, JelbertGamolo scored 29, Gabriel Manotoc turned in 28 to for the team which only got 22 from Maynard Ko.
Apart from Zaragoza, San Miguel is now without Lanz Uy, who has moved to Southwoods and plays for its Am Championship team.
“It is anybody’s game,” said an optimistic Bagtas as he said that he is hoping for a better play on Wednesday before moving to John Hay for the last two rounds.
“Sana maganda ang laro at makakuha ng konti bukas bago pumunta sa John Hay,” said Bagtas.
Mizuno Ecoverde had 113 points, followed by Time Cargo Logistics which scored 103 with Che’lus scoring 99.
Meanwhile, Team Surigao I scored 105 for a four-point lead over Summit Point Elite in Fil A action.
Mamala Bay is another point down and one up on Silicon Valley Golfers Link I.
Forest Hills scored 114 for a one-point lead over Philippine Navy in Am A, while San Miguel-Northern Cement II is in third spot with 108.
Camp Aguinaldo scored a 104 for a 206, Sultan Kudarat matched its first day 101 for 202 points, while Pinewoods Golf Club made 94 for 193 and third spot in Am B.
TGIS Davao and Uragun Golf B opened with a similar 78 to lead in Fil D and a one shot lead over Team Baguio City.
Batch 92 scored 89 for an eight-point lead over Fil-Am League of Golfers of Chicago in Am D. Team Surigao 2 is two off with 79 points.
Team Surigao III leads in Fil E with 73.