Sibug, Lacaden rule Jun Geronimo Masalama and FGA Monthly Medal

Tournament honoree Jun Geronimo, second right, receives a plaque of appreciation from FGA President Alan Malawanda. Others in photo are FGA officials Joe Vallado and Luke Lacaden.

Winners and participants gather for a group picture. (AN photos)

RIYADH: Resty Sibug and Luke Lacaden turned the Jun Geronimo Masalama and FGA Monthly Medal Tournament for July into a mentor-pupil affair when they captured the Champion and Best Net trophies respectively last Friday at the Nofa Golf Resort on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Sibug, manager Central Region at electro-mechanical company Saudi TKT, underlined his lofty ranking as the No. 1 Filipino golfer in the Kingdom when he shot a 5-over 78, and even with a low 4 handicap managed to claim the champion trophy on countback from Ric Damon and Willy Tamonte.
The trio tied on net score of 74 with Damon 1st runner-up and Tamonte, a returnee to the Kingdom, 2nd runner-up. Damon posted a gross score of 93 and played off 21 handicap and Tamonte 90-16. Third runner-up was Nick Palce on 75 (93-18).
Sibug had nines of 36-42 with bogeys on 10, 11 and 17 and a double bogey on 12.
Like Sibug, Lacaden enjoyed a solid round with his new set of golf clubs. He carded a sparkling net score of 67 from a gross of 85 and handicap of 18. Under the watchful eyes of Sibug Lacaden has rapidly improved his game in recent years.
Cong Rene Layug put away the Most Exercised Golfer award, navigating the picturesque par-73 Safari-themed golf course in 120 strokes.
The tournament in honor of former FGA official Jun Geronimo attracted 25 participants including 5 from the Eastern Province namely Mikey Principe, Chito Malabanan, Jun Galindo, Elvis Borromeo and Stanley Karamoy.
Geronimo, a supervisor at Baud Telecom Company who is finally leaving the Kingdom for good, was presented with a plaque of appreciation by FGA President Alan Malawanda during the awards ceremony. Geronimo first joined BTC in 1981, left three times in 1985, 1994 and 2006 only to rejoin the same company each time before finally opting to quit Saudi Arabia this year.
The other players that entered the 18-hole stroke play tournament are: Al Gatbunton, Alex Arellano, Aries Ramirez, Dennis Catapang, Jeffrey Arellano, Joe Vallado, John Calupas, Manny Barroga, Mario Vera Cruz, Mike Veneracion, Pedi Lualhati and Willie Querida.
This was the Filipino Golf Association’s second tournament under the leadership of Malawanda following the Kalayaan Cup on May 27.