Forest Hills enchants most of the pros

DAILY TRIBUNE·22 June 2023, 12:20 am·1 min read

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Forest Hills enchants most of the pros — PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF perfect drive FOREST Hills has most of the pros under its spell.

If scores are any indication in the last two days of the Forest Hills Classic, then the pros are in for an exciting battle ahead for the coveted crown before the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour takes on a two-month break.

Clyde Mondilla continues to dominate the Nicklaus layout with two sub-par rounds, including a 60 in the opener that could have been a record if not the preferred rule in effect. Albin Engino, Tony Lascuña and Angelo Que are in hot pursuit.

Aside from them, though, only about 20 percent of the field have turned in under-par cards, typifying the par-71 (playing to 7,105 yards in the current setup) course's character of being a tough and challenging one even to the best of them.

The tip-top condition of the Nicklaus, according to club chairman Robert Sobrepeña, is a product of a maintenance program that began two years ago.

"We worked hard and long to improve the tees, fairways and greens at Forest Hills. An aggressive grounds program was implemented right after the pandemic to improve the quality of the courses," Sobrepeña said.

Also part of this was the upgrading of the facilities particularly the clubhouse, lockers and some tee houses — all for that true golfing experience for our members and guests and tournament professionals," he also said.

Even players like Que, Lascuña and Mondilla agree with what Sobrepeña mentioned.

"It's nice to be back at Forest Hills. I haven't been here for around 15-16 years but I played frequently here as an amateur. The course in good condition but it appeared easy for Clyde (Mondilla)," Que said.

Mondilla downplayed Que's observation.

"Yes, the course is really good, quite easy but still I have to be wary of some fairways because an errant shot will leave you in hazards left and right."

"Talagang maganda dito sa Forest. Naka record score nga ako dito nung nanalo ako years ago (It's really good here at Forest Hills. I was able to set a record 63 here when I won years ago)," seconded Lascuña, who is actually taken in as one of the coaches of Sobrepeña's academy at Manila Southwoods.