Avena, Hernandez in Seniors’ chase

Dave Hernandez (Photo from Philippine Star) Abe Avena shoots for a second seniors crown in three years while Dave Hernandez hopes to achieve what he failed to do the last time as they banner the Philippine Senior and Mid-Amateur Open Championships today at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.

Avena dominated the field in 2016 but struggled to finish fifth in last year’s edition of the annual tournament won by absentee Abe Rosal over Hernandez.

Joining the title hunt in the centerpiece event for 55-years-old-and-above players are Gerry Elazeguie, Mari Hechanova, Ernesto Lim, Tomas Manotoc, Raul Montealto, Tony Olives, Renato Unson, Zaldy Villa, Rolly Viray and Damasus Wong.

Action is also expected to be fierce in the other featured categories of the event, the first tournament of the new NGAP board, led by president Martin Lorenzo, including the Mid Am Open with Forest Hill’s Judeson Eustaquio, actor Derek Ramsey, Brixton Ax, Jerome Hernandez, Mike Igarashi, Jeck Mendoza and Gerald Katigbak heading the cast in the premier event for players 25-years-old as of June.

Also on tap in the three-day tournament, sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour, are Mid Am Division I (25-54, handicap of 8.0-15.0) and Mid Am Division II (25-54, handicap of 15.1-24.0), the Senior Division I (55-59), Seniors Division II (60-65) and Super Senior (66-and-above).

Others vying in the Mid Am Open are Siegfred Ramos, RJ Rizada, Dominic Sevilla, Yancy Siladan, Howard Sison and Francis Tueres while Boom Coscolluela, Jody Aguinaldo, Joseph Aquino, Augusto Cruz, Poli Macatangay and Oliver Onrubia lead the Mid Am I field.

Anthony Arevalo, Ferdinand Balina, Noel Guevara and Aldwin Larano are tipped to clash for the Mid Am II crown while Armando Lustre, Dan Montalbo and Roger Telan banner the Senior I cast and Allan Alegre, Butch Bacunawa and Renato Policarpio are expected to contend for the Senior II diadem in the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.