RIYADH, 5 July 2006 — Seng De Torres played disciplined golf to win his first major at the recent FGA Kalayaan Cup Golf Tournament at Riyadh Golf Club here.
De Torres, an assistant software developer with Riyadh Military Hospital, shot a sparkling net score of 65 to emerge overall champion in the 18-hole stroke play event.
Avoiding disaster and holding wayward shots in check, De Torres assembled a gross 90 on nines of 44-46 as he put on a solid performance despite playing only his second competitive round at the par-72 RGC layout.
The tournament was the first major championship of the Filipino Golf Association under the leadership of president Rene Layug and his deputy Oca Domingo, and in a show of support 49 card-bearing FGA members and their guests took part in the competition.
Alex Arellano continued his rich vein of form shooting two-over par 74 to claim low gross honors. His net score of 67 could have given him the Division A crown as well but a rule has it that a player is entitled to only one major prize.
As a result, Ador Laxa took the crown in the 1-16 category handicap with an even par 72. Jun Saporsantos, a 16-handicapper like Laxa, finished first runner-up with 73 while tournament commissioner Eric Liquigan came in 2nd runner-up at 82. Laxa signed for a gross 88, Saporsantos for 89 and the seven-handicapper Liquigan for 82.
Two guests namely Amir Ishaq, a Pakistani, and New Zealander Julian Bennet won Division B (17-21) and Division C (22-28) titles after compiling 72 and 71, while Cesar Rosario ruled the Beginners Division.
Ely Corpuz with a 73 and Jun Bantug with a 75 rounded out the top three winners in Division B.
Senan Angara had another narrow miss in his division checking in one stroke behind Bennet for second place at 72, while Tom Lauzon wound up third at 73.
Manny Barroga, a darter who began hitting golf balls just months back, finished runner-up to Rosario via the countback after both players matched gross scores of 116.
Liquigan and Arellano also won awards for most pars with 9 and most birdies with 4. The comebacking Al Zamora claimed the award for nearest to pin and Rene Mercado for longest drive.
Outgoing Labor Attaché Manuel “Dodong” Roldan of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office was the chief guest and in whose honor the tournament was also staged as a “masalamah.” Roldan and FGA top honcho Layug presented prizes to the winners. Former FGA prexy Cris Agunos emceed the prize distribution ceremony.
