GOLF NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
By Ric de Vera
Queenstown-New Zealand
September 28, 2018
Queenstown-NZ- September 22-23: The 6th Biennial Fil Trans-Tasman Golf Challenge held in Queenstown, New Zealand on September 22 and 23, 2018 was won by the New Zealand Filipino golfers. There were sixteen (16) golfers from Australia and twenty-nine (29) from New Zealand who participated in this year’s tournament, hosted by Wellington Filipino Sports Association headed by Archie Milo.
The combined team from Australia headed by Jonathan Espejo (6th from right) as team captain. Edwin Albances (extreme left) is from Queensland and Ariel Pattugalan (5th from right) is from Australian Capital Territory. Ric de Vera (6th from left and this writer) is the remaining founder of the Fil-Trans Tasman Golf Challenge.
The first day on Saturday was held in the picturesque Jack’s Point Golf Course. The format was 2-BB match play in conjunction with Individual stableford system to come up with individual winners. Team scores were 5.5 for Kiwis and 2.5 for the Aussies.
Gabby Ransi (Centre) 2018 Individual Champion after receiving his trophy from Archie Milo (extreme left and host) and his proV1 balls from Jonathan Espejo (extreme right and Aussie Captain).
The second and final day on Sunday was held at Millbrook Resort Golf Club. The format was single match play in conjunction with individual stableford system. Team scores were 9.0 for Kiwis and 5.0 for the Aussies. Hence, the Kiwis regains the monumental perpetual cup, proudly donated by the NZ Philippines Business Council.
Gabby Lansi from Auckland, NZ with his two-day gross score of 146 strokes was the over-all Individual champion. He was awarded with the championship trophy courtesy of this writer and sleeve of proV1 golf balls donated by Jonathan Espejo. “Am so happy to have played at these fantastic golf courses and finally won” said the young Gabby with pride.
Paul Familara was the best net scorer with 151 strokes for two days. While Giselle Pascual took the best stableford score of 72 points. These winners were awarded with trophies plus sleeve of ProV1 golf balls donated by Jonathan Espejo.
Nearest the pin winners on four (4) Par three’s were: Danny Martinez (Aus), Freddie Uy (NZ), Nelson Laureles (NZ) and Edwin Albances (AUS). These winners were awarded with sleeve of ProV1 golf balls each courtesy of the host club.
Ric de Vera (extreme left and coordinator) presented the monumental perpetual cup to Lito Magadia (Centre and WSFA President) and Donjie Mendoza (extreme right and PGA President).
Longest drives were won by Archie Milo for men and Ellen Sioco for women. These winners received sleeve of ProV1 golf balls each courtesy of the host club.
The awards presentation followed at the Hole In One Café’ of Millford Resort with sumptuous multiple flavours (toppings) of pizza coupled with chips.
After the awarding ceremonies, this writer along with Jonathan Espejo (Aussie captain) presented Plaque of Appreciation to Archie Milo of WFSA for the successful hosting of the 6th series of the Biennial Fil Trans-Tasman Golf Challenge.
This writer also announced that the 7th series of this event will be held in Melbourne, Australia in October 2020 to be hosted by Pinoy Golfers of Melbourne headed by Buddy Espineda. Everyone was invited to come and bring their spouses/families as a unique way of enjoying the camaraderie, friendship and sportsmanship while the golfers are playing the game that they all love.
The combined team from Auckland (PGA) headed by Donjie Mendoza (Squatting 2nd from right) and Wellington (WFSA) headed by Lito Magadia (Standing in maroon shirt) representing New Zealand.
The Fil Trans-Tasman Golf Classic was conceived in 2006 by group of golfers from Auckland (Arne Go), Sydney (Ric de Vera) and Canberra (Toti Umali). It was aimed at having a biennial golf competition between teams from New Zealand and Australia with venues alternating between the two countries. The first tournament was held in Sydney in October 2008. This was followed by Auckland in 2010, Canberra in 2012, Wellington in 2014, and Gold Coast in 2016.
FIL-KIWIS GRABS TRANS-TASMAN CUP
Queenstown-New Zealand
September 28, 2018
Queenstown-NZ- September 22-23: The 6th Biennial Fil Trans-Tasman Golf Challenge held in Queenstown, New Zealand on September 22 and 23, 2018 was won by the New Zealand Filipino golfers. There were sixteen (16) golfers from Australia and twenty-nine (29) from New Zealand who participated in this year’s tournament, hosted by Wellington Filipino Sports Association headed by Archie Milo.
The combined team from Australia headed by Jonathan Espejo (6th from right) as team captain. Edwin Albances (extreme left) is from Queensland and Ariel Pattugalan (5th from right) is from Australian Capital Territory. Ric de Vera (6th from left and this writer) is the remaining founder of the Fil-Trans Tasman Golf Challenge.
The first day on Saturday was held in the picturesque Jack’s Point Golf Course. The format was 2-BB match play in conjunction with Individual stableford system to come up with individual winners. Team scores were 5.5 for Kiwis and 2.5 for the Aussies.
Gabby Ransi (Centre) 2018 Individual Champion after receiving his trophy from Archie Milo (extreme left and host) and his proV1 balls from Jonathan Espejo (extreme right and Aussie Captain).
The second and final day on Sunday was held at Millbrook Resort Golf Club. The format was single match play in conjunction with individual stableford system. Team scores were 9.0 for Kiwis and 5.0 for the Aussies. Hence, the Kiwis regains the monumental perpetual cup, proudly donated by the NZ Philippines Business Council.
Gabby Lansi from Auckland, NZ with his two-day gross score of 146 strokes was the over-all Individual champion. He was awarded with the championship trophy courtesy of this writer and sleeve of proV1 golf balls donated by Jonathan Espejo. “Am so happy to have played at these fantastic golf courses and finally won” said the young Gabby with pride.
Paul Familara was the best net scorer with 151 strokes for two days. While Giselle Pascual took the best stableford score of 72 points. These winners were awarded with trophies plus sleeve of ProV1 golf balls donated by Jonathan Espejo.
Nearest the pin winners on four (4) Par three’s were: Danny Martinez (Aus), Freddie Uy (NZ), Nelson Laureles (NZ) and Edwin Albances (AUS). These winners were awarded with sleeve of ProV1 golf balls each courtesy of the host club.
Ric de Vera (extreme left and coordinator) presented the monumental perpetual cup to Lito Magadia (Centre and WSFA President) and Donjie Mendoza (extreme right and PGA President).
Longest drives were won by Archie Milo for men and Ellen Sioco for women. These winners received sleeve of ProV1 golf balls each courtesy of the host club.
The awards presentation followed at the Hole In One Café’ of Millford Resort with sumptuous multiple flavours (toppings) of pizza coupled with chips.
After the awarding ceremonies, this writer along with Jonathan Espejo (Aussie captain) presented Plaque of Appreciation to Archie Milo of WFSA for the successful hosting of the 6th series of the Biennial Fil Trans-Tasman Golf Challenge.
This writer also announced that the 7th series of this event will be held in Melbourne, Australia in October 2020 to be hosted by Pinoy Golfers of Melbourne headed by Buddy Espineda. Everyone was invited to come and bring their spouses/families as a unique way of enjoying the camaraderie, friendship and sportsmanship while the golfers are playing the game that they all love.
The combined team from Auckland (PGA) headed by Donjie Mendoza (Squatting 2nd from right) and Wellington (WFSA) headed by Lito Magadia (Standing in maroon shirt) representing New Zealand.
The Fil Trans-Tasman Golf Classic was conceived in 2006 by group of golfers from Auckland (Arne Go), Sydney (Ric de Vera) and Canberra (Toti Umali). It was aimed at having a biennial golf competition between teams from New Zealand and Australia with venues alternating between the two countries. The first tournament was held in Sydney in October 2008. This was followed by Auckland in 2010, Canberra in 2012, Wellington in 2014, and Gold Coast in 2016.