LITO BOLLAS TAKES RDV CUP 2018 IN SYDNEY

By Ric de Vera
Sydney-NSW-Australia
January 28, 2019

Lito Bollas from Oakhurst, New South Wales and a member of Metro Social Golf Club won the inaugural RDV Cup held on December 22, 2018 at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club to celebrate the milestone (75^th birthday) of this writer. Lito Bollas scored 42 stableford points using his social handicap of 36 and ran away with the monumental trophy plus $150 cash. “I am thankful for the opportunity to play for the Platinum (Diamond) Cup of Mr. Ric de Vera’s 75^th birthday. It is an honour to be the overall champion on this occasion” said a very proud Lito Bollas.

RDV Cup 2018 Winners (L-R holding trophies) are: Bert Castro (representing Lito Bollas as over-all champion), Ray Rodriguez (Div A Winner); Cesar Bigornia (Div B Winner) Rody Neri (Div C Winner), Nep Palomo (Div B Runner up) and Ed Noche (behind & Div C Runner up). They are surrounded by Ric de Vera (extreme left & celebrant), Vangie Leones (Second from right & Coordinator) and Emma de Vera (extreme right & wife of celebrant). Photo courtesy of Bob Leones

Lito Bollas, over-all champion admiring his trophy and showing his cash prize of $150. - photo From his FB page.

Division winners with their scores and handicaps used were: Ray Rodriguez (41/13 CB) for A; Cesar Bigornia (37/26 CB) for B and Rudy Neri (41/29) for C. These division winners were awarded with trophies plus $100 cash prize each for their fantastic efforts.

Division runners up winners with their scores and handicaps used were: Bernie Balagtas (41/9) for A; Nep Palomo (41/23) for B and Ed Noche (39/29) for C. These runners up winners were awarded with trophies plus $50 cash prize each.

Feature hole winners on all holes and per division were also awarded cash prize of $5 each.

Hole sponsors were Ferdi Francisco, Arnold Villamayor, Alex del Prado, Nep Palomo, Kate Andres, Dads Morales, Ed Montero, Bob & Vangie Leones and Kalayaan, Inc.

Ric de Vera doing the ceremonial tee-off to signal the start of RDV’s Cup at Stonecutter’s Ridge Golf Club on December 22, 2018. Photo by Bob Leones

There were 51 golfers who supported this inaugural RDV Cup 2018 golf tournament which was originally a “secret” to surprise the celebrant. It was successfully organized by Bob & Vangie Leones with the help of Ed Montero, Alex del Prado & Arnold Villamayor. The idea was initiated by Emma de Vera, wife of the celebrant, to give credit to this writer’s efforts over so many years in helping to promote the game of golf to the Filipino Australian community and their friends in Australia.The net proceeds of the tournament amounting to $350 would be donated to the Missionaries of Charity in Tondo, Manila in the Philippines.

Some participants during light dinner served after the tournament are: Glenn Tahimic, Ben Villa, Govind Singh, Arnold Villamayor, Ed Montero, Nep Palomo and Jun Gonzales (Photo by Ellen Sioco) .

Before the presentation of awards, Mrs. Emma de Vera (wife of the celebrant), made introductory remarks on how this writer started his passion of playing, organizing and hosting golf tournaments not only in Australia and New Zealand but also in the Philippines. She specifically mentioned that during the early years it was only Glenn Tahimic who used to accompany him in joining the Oasis Park Hotel Golf classic in Paco, Manila. It was worth the effort. The rest is history. “Thank you very much to all the golfers, friends and associates for your support to my loving husband, making his golfing journey enjoyable, with all the camaraderie and friendship earned over the years” she finally said.

More participants during light dinner served after the tournament are: Cesar Bigornia, Dads Morales, Romy Morales, Boy Beroya, Jimmy Morales, Aris Ortanez and Bert Castro (Photo by Ellen Sioco )

On the part of the celebrant, “My sincerest thanks to those who played and supported the inaugural RDV cup 2018. Special appreciation and thanks to Bobby & Vangie Leones, Arnold Villamayor, Alex del Prado and Ed Montero for successfully organizing the event. Thank you very much to all the hole sponsors. Congratulations to all the winners. May you all have a blessed Christmas” said this writer.