Ex-Phl Team coach dominates PSA Cup

Former national champion Bong Lopez shot a net one-under par 71 on a gross of 79 at Manila Southwoods’ Legends course to reign as overall champion in the 4th Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup golf invitational.

Lopez, now a swing coach to some of the country’s top players, won via countback over Shakey’s Super League president Ian Laurel in the annual tournament held to strengthen the relationship between sportswriters and the officials they cover.

The Inquirer’s Musong Castillo beat SPIN.ph’s Dodo Catacutan in a countback for the Class A title after both fired net 72s. Former Manila Bulletin sports editor Ding Marcelo placed third on a 74 in the 18-hole tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Premier Volleyball League, and former Filipinas team manager Jeff Cheng as major sponsors.

In the closely fought Class B, Manila Bulletin sports editor Ramon Bonilla beat Rocky Nazareno in a countback after posting a net 80. Philippine Star sports editor Nelson Beltran finished one shot back in third place.

Laurel matched Lopez’s net 71 on an 82 to win the Friends Division title, also via countback over Polylite’s Marvin Gonzales (85). Former Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta finished two shots back in third.

A special guest was Lito Tacujan, former Star sports editor and acknowledged as the father of PSA media golf.

Hosted by Manila Southwoods for the fourth time, the event was also supported by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, Polylite, San Miguel Corp., Al Panlilio, Athletic Events Sports Managements (Aces) Inc. Nonong Araneta, ITCSI, Bong Lopez, Virgil Villavicencio, the PBA, the Best Center, BingoPlus, Pin High Golf and MacBeth.