Shinichi Suzuki shot a tournament-best 40 points at Camp John Hay Golf Club as Manila Southwoods 1 retained the 73rd Januarius Fil-Am Invitational championship in anti-climactic fashion in Baguio City on Sunday.
Suzuki, the youngest member at 15 years old, eagled the par-5 16th hole and collected five birdies against three bogeys to lead Southwoods’ final round blitz.
The Carmona-based squad amassed 142 to finish the event with 523 points.
Suzuki got solid support from three players who scored in the thirties – Ryan Monsalve (36), Luigi Paolo Wong (34), and Aidric Chan (32).
SWEET VICTORY FOR SOUTHWOODS
“I guess it’s sweeter this time dahil sa naghahabol kami,” said Southwoods captain Thirdy Escano. “In the past, we always lead from Day 1. It’s always good for the tournament to have healthy competitions.”
Escano expects stiffer competition next year. “So we got to prepare harder,” he said.
Eastridge drew 38 points from Edison Tabalin to take second place with 515 points. Other scorers were Ronel Tagaan (33), John Michael Uy (33), and Chris John Remata (32).
Following the disqualification of Jet Mathay for signing the wrong scorecard, Southwoods started the day in pole position and did not look back to collected its ninth title in the premier Fil Championship division.
Januarius Private Equity 1, which led the first two rounds, slipped to third after Mathay’s DQ and settled for third place with 507, 16 shots behind Southwoods.
Terrence Macatangay led Januarius with 37 points while Mathay bounced back with 36. Raymund Sangil and Ayon Sanchez chipped in 29 and 28, respectively.
Rounding out the standings in the premier Fil Championship division are Time Cargo Logistics Team 1 499, SPES Team 1 465, and Forest Hills Team 1 462.
EASTRIDGE WINS AM CHAMPIONSHIP
Over at the Baguio Country Club, Team Eastridge 2 completed a dominant victory, shooting 119 for a total of 513, 46 points ahead of Manila Southwoods 2.
Jhondie Quibol and Zeus Sara led Eastridge with 33 and 30 points, respectively.
Eastridge also drew 29 from Richard Joson and 27 from either Demetrio Sanchez or Loyd Labrador.
Southwoods pooled 112 points from Masaichi Otake (31), Tristan Jefferson Padilla (29), Zachary Castro (27), and Coby Rolida 25.
Januarius Private Equity 2 took third spot with 452 after a closing 102 points.
Valley Golf Mamamboys finished with 420 after returning 89 points.
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