The future looks bright as the Philippines edged Thailand to claim its second Putra Cup title in the South East Asian Golf Team Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on Friday.
Chris John Remata led the charge, firing a 1-under 71 while Perry Josef Bucay and Shinichi Suzuki closed with 72s to help the 33rd Southeast Asian Games-bound Filipino shotmakers retain the Putra Cup title that they won in Singapore last year.
The fourth member of the team, Rolando Bregente, shot a 74, but it didn’t count in the four-to-play, three-to-count strokeplay format.
Bregente, however, took the silver medal in the individual category after firing a 4-under behind Randy Bintang of Indonesia, who shot a 10-under 278 highlighted by 72 in the fourth day of action.
All in all, the home squad carded a total of 215 in the final round for a 4-under 860 overall to beat SEA Games rival Thailand by two strokes with 862. Indonesia settled for third with a total score of 3-over 867.
National Golf Association of the Philippines secretary general Bones Floro lauded the squad coached by national team mentor Ramon Brobio, saying that the victory is the fruit of their hard work and dedication to make the country proud.
“The team worked hard for this win. They absolutely deserved the victory,” said Floro, who was at the sidelines to witness the feat together with NGAP president Martin Lorenzo.
“We are excited to make our country proud again next month in the Southeast Asian Games.”
Suzuki is the only holdover from the team that won the Putra Cup crown. Joining him were Enrique Dimayuga, Carl Corpus and Jet Hernandez.
Meanwhile, the ladies’ team finished fourth in the Santi Cup led by Julia Gabasa, who shot a 5-over aggregate.
In the girls’ team event, the Kartini Cup, Nicole Gan fired 74, 73, 75 and 72 for a 6-over total that gave the country a podium finish at third place.
In the Lion City Cup, the boys event, the Philippines placed fifth with Rafael Leonio emerging as the best player with 24-over.
Floro said it was a mission accomplished for the Filipino golfers.
“Congratulations as well to the rest of the team that represented us in the women’s, boys’ and girls’ divisions who equally worked as hard,” he said.
“And thank you to those who watched and supported us. Mabuhay kayong lahat!”