Gonzales stuns Park, gains Samsung semis

CAVITE—Summit Point’s Dennis Gonzales ended’s quest for a third Samsung National Tournament of Club Champions crown with a 1-up win Thursday to advance to the semifinals at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Faldo Course in Gen. Trias, Cavite.

Gonzales, who also bundled out Sta. Elena’s Glenn de Leon, 1-up, in the first round at the Norman layout, knocked down a clutch par putt on the 18th to clinch the biggest win of the match play phase of the annual event sponsored by Samsung.

He goes for a finals berth against Valley Golf’s fifth seed Adrian Mauricio, who also upended No. 4 Louie Garcia of Orchard, 2 and 1, in their own side of the quarterfinal duel in the week-long tournament held in partnership with Eagle Ridge GCC and its developers Sta. Lucia Realty and Alsons Land Inc. and Inquirer Golf.

Richard Joson of Royal Northwoods lived up to his No. 2 seeding as he ousted Malarayat’s Gerald Katigbak, 5 and 4, to set up a Final Four clash with third seed Cho Han-pyo of Eagle Ridge.

Cho, who saw off Baguio Country Club’s Nelson Eslao in the previous round, won the 18th hole to complete a 2-up victory over JP Reyes of Manila Golf in the event backed by Microtel as official hotel, Airphil Express, Mizuno, Glucoscare Tea, Footjoy and Titleist by Empire, Custom Clubmakers and Omnisource International.

Disputing the seniors final berths are top seed Lino Magpantay and No. 5 King Sumulong of Eastridge, and Royal Northwoods’ No. 7 Tomas Joson and No. 6 Carlos Coscolluela of Alabang.

Meanwhile, fourth seed Beachie Abiera of Tagaytay Highlands/Midlands held off Jane Villegas of Rancho Palos Verdes, 2 and 1, to arrange a semifinal duel with top seed Tina Gonzales of Orchard in the ladies’ division.

Mela Lee of Ayala Greenfields also rolled into the last four after Iloilo GC’s Maggie Rivera conceded after 12 holes. Lee, the third seed, will take on No. 2 Olive Yoon of Mt. Malarayat for the other championship seat.