Forest Hills-Mizuno Fil-Am duel begins today

BAGUIO CITY—Forest Hills seeks to draw the most from its relatively new roster as it tries to contain Mizuno’s expected strong Fil Championship challenge at the start today of the 64th San Miguel Fil-Am Men’s Invitational golf tournament here.

And Gab Atienza, Ronald Littaua, JM Garcia, Peter Young and skipper Raffy Garcia vow to dish out their best at the tough Baguio Country Club layout.

“We have three new members but we’ll be fighting till the end,” said Raffy Garcia, whose wards snatched the premier title last year after Mizuno was penalized for a final-round infraction.

Meanwhile, Arnold Dulay scored 29 points, Bobby Iñigo had 28, Manuel Bakunawa made 27 and Tomas Joson III added 26 for 110 as Nueva Ecija Seniors posted a 410 total and beat Camp John Hay by 10 in the Am Championship class of last week’s seniors competition.

CJH assembled 400 after a 106 for second while Philippine Navy placed third with 103-392.

The par-61, up-and-down BCC is expected to challenge the field with its tricky elevated par-3 and par-4 holes.

The Mizuno Superstars are out to redeem themselves with manager Lovell Gopez upbeat on the team’s chances.

“I am confident the boys will reclaim the crown,” said Gopez, whose Superstars dominated the centerpiece event two years ago.

For this year’s campaign in the tournament backed by title sponsor San Miguel Corp. and presented by Toyota, Mizuno will be banking on former pro Raymond Sangil, amateur ace Justin Limjap, Rodel Mangulabnan and Stehmeier brothers Ace and King.

“I believe we’ll have our redemption this year,” said Lopez. “Our players are playing steady the last few weeks and are raring to raise the championship on Saturday. They are confident of making it all the way.”

Darius Corpuz of Fil-Am League of Golfers-Chicago won a Toyota Vios after scoring a hole-in-one at BCC’s 168-yard No. 10. He used a 6-iron and Titleist Pro VIx ball.

With his ace, Corpuz wound up with a topscoring 31 points as he led Fil-Am League of Golfers-Chicago to the Fil-C lead with a 105, 16 points ahead of Greenwater Meadows II, which had an 89, while Guam Kool Swingers pooled an 87.