By Ferdi Francisco. – Outstanding Filipino Australian businessman Art Sta. Barbara owner of the Sydney-based SBC Food Import Company proved his mettle on the greens by winning the inaugural Mapua Alumni Australia (MAA) association golf cup held at the Richmond golf course last Sunday 16 November.
Early morning downpour failed to prevent some 50 golfers to start the tournament , then bolstered by abundant sunshine and fine weather after three holes around midday, and finally finishing the day’s game in high spirit with the perfect weather towards the end.
The game of the one score plus ten players culminated in a sumptuous buffet lunch at Richmond Club’s function room.
MAA meant the event to raise funds for its scholarship program at the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) in Manila and for the coming MAPUA World Convention in Sydney scheduled for 10-13 September 2015.
MAAs scholarship has been awarding financial grants to deserving students at MIT in Manila since 2012.
Alumni of Manila’s Mapua Institute of Technology from all over the world are invited to the Mapua World Convention. Anyone interested to join either the Australian based MAA association or merely participate in the 2015 convention may contact Events Committee Chairman Mr Randy Tangonan on Australia mobile no. 0466 312 687 or by email rmmtango@gmil.com.
The MAA Cup winners list: Art Sta Barbara, overall individual champion (by count back), 68; Jonathan Espejo, 68, Grade A Winner; Mario Villacorta, Grade A Runner Up, (won by count back among 6 players),69; Daven Naidu, Grade B Winner, 68; Ramon Gonzales, Grade B Runner Up, 69;
Roy Velasco, Grade C Winner, 69; Rico Pasimanero, Grade C Runner up, 73; Priscilla Keogh, Ladies Division Winner, 71. Cash and trophies were awarded to winners. Mr Bobby Leone’s hole in one at par 3 hole no. 2 was the rare achievement of the tournament.
Other nearest-to-hole pin winners were Danny Martinez, Carlo Oliver, Arnie Santos and Chris Sitchon. MAA President was happy with the turnout , thanking his event committee headed by this writer, the volunteers, the donors and sponsors. By Ferdi Francisco