Limjap drops pal Dy with birdie run
TOP SEED Justin Limjap of Valley buried bosom buddy Mark Dy of Cebu Country Club with a hail of five birdies in a seven-hole stretch en route to a 5-and-4 victory that sent him to the men’s division semifinals of the Philippine Golf Foundation National Tournament of Club Champions at South Forbes Golf Club course in Cavite.
Limjap was still two behind after eight holes before going on a birdie rampage starting on No. 9, sealing a Final Four duel today with Kim Dong-hee of Eagle Ridge. Kim ousted Gerald Katigbak of Mt. Malarayat/Riviera, 3 and 2.
Defending champion Gary Sales of Villamor survived Allan Alegre of Summit Point, 1 up, and will meet Junnel Roxas of Eastridge, a 5-and-3 winner over Niko Santiano of Ayala Greenfield, in the other men’s semifinal battle at the east course of Wack Wack.
The rigors of the South Forbes claimed some of the big guns including seniors third seed Arnold Duay of Anvaya, who teed off on the last hole all square with Gen. Poch Lukban (ret.) of Splendido only to see the latter hit a fantastic approach for a winning birdie.
Abe Avena of Mt. Malarayat had seniors top seed Joe Gonzales of Orchard in control for most of the match but Gonzales won two of the last four holes.
Lukban plays Razi Razon of Alta Vista, a retired Air Force officer who upset Augie Palisoc of Ayala Greenfield, 4 and 3, while Gonzales plays Chito Laureta of Valley, who defeated Moon Chang-ho of Riviera/Tagaytay Highlands, 5 and 4, in the other semis duel.
Carmela Lee of Ayala Greenfield/Sta. Elena celebrated her birthday with a 5 and 4 demolition of Kimberly Kim to reach the ladies semifinals of the event also backed by Philippine Airlines, Champion, Sta. Lucia Land, Seiko and Petron as major sponsors with Gatorade and American Tourister as minor sponsors. Minor sponsors are GG&A Club Shares, Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines, Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, ICTSI, RizGolf Marketing, Silicon Computers, Mikaela Trophies and Kopi Roti.