BY RIC DE VERA – Pradup Thepsiri from Croydon Park and a member of Thai Social Golf club won the 16th Knights Cup golf tournament held on September 21 at Woodville Golf course with his gross score of 85 strokes and net 70 under the System 36 mode of scoring.
As the over-all champion, he ran away with $250 cash, monumental trophy and the privilege to engrave his name in the perpetual trophy. “Am very happy to win this tournament after joining for the past many years” said an ecstatic Pradup
Division winners and their gross/net scores were: Billy Chanda for A (81/71 CB), Jun Cadelina for B (85/72 CB) and Gert Ebing for C (106/72). These division winners were awarded $150 each in cash and individual trophies for their great efforts.
Division runners up and their gross/net scores were: Fred Bacucang for A (81/71), Mike Garcia for B (87/72) and Vangie Leones for C (102/73). Likewise, these runners up were awarded $100 each in cash and individual trophies.
Feature winners were also given $25 cash prize each as follows: Nearest the pins on hole 2 Cesar Bigornia; hole 5 Maynard Tabungar; hole 7 Billy Chanda; hole 11 Danny Martinez; and hole 15 Kate Andres. Best drive & pitch on hole 4 was won by Ferdi Francisco, while the longest drive was taken by unbeatable Bert Bugayong.
The tournament was followed by BBQ late lunch courtesy of the officers & members of the Knights of Rizal Sydney chapter who voluntarily assisted. The newly appointed Regional Commander for Australia, New Zealand and Oceania (ANZO) Sir Bing Rana, KCR was also in attendance, along with his deputy Sir Fiel Santos, KCR and Area Commander for East Australia, Sir Cesar Bartolome, KCR.
The KOR Sydney Chapter Commander Sir Ralph Posadas, KCR started the program with his welcome remarks and thanked the various social golf clubs/groups for their support. He acknowledged the presence of past champions and outlined how the tournament started 16 years ago through the initiative of Sir Ric de Vera, KGOR and Sir Bing Rana, KCR. He also mentioned several projects that the proceeds of this tournament financially supported for the past many years. Finally, he thanked all the sponsors for their continued support.
On his part, the ANZO Regional commander, Sir Bing Rana, KCR also acknowledged the support of the golfers, wishing them to come back next year and congratulated the winners. He reminisced that during the first few years of this event at Georges (formerly Riverwood) Golf club, it was the Knights wives who were there to assist in cooking the BBQ lunch.
Sir Philip Ranoso, KCR and immediate past ANZO Regional commander did the awarding and presentation of trophies to the winners. He was assisted by Sir Cesar Bartolome, KCR and Sir Carlo Villadiego, KOR, Sydney chapter exchequer. Other Knights who voluntarily assisted in the administration & BBQ cooking were Sir Arnul Pan, KOR, Sir Francis delos Santos, KOR, Sir Max Encomienda, KOR, Sir Ian Goldthorpe, KOR, Sir Alex del Prado, KR and Sir Jhun Morales, KR.
The Order of the Knights of Rizal is an internationally recognized civic, patriotic, cultural, non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-profit organisation. Its main objectives are to study and spread the ideals, teaching and exemplary life of Dr Jose Rizal. Currently there are three chapters in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania (ANZO) Region. Namely, the Sydney Chapter (Premier), the Perth Chapter in WA and the Canberra Chapter in ACT.
Meanwhile, Danny Martinez of Fil-oz and Marsden Golf Social clubs won the Fairgolf Open held on September 13 at Woodville golf course. He ran away with $300 and monumental trophy presented by Arnie Santos (Fairgolf President) for being the over-all champion.