By: Waylon Galvez
More than 170 former students of Xavier School in San Juan, together with their friends and guests, took part in a charity tournament that also benefited retired teachers of the institution during the successful staging of the Batch ‘01 Golf Meet on June 9 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in San Juan City.
Led by Alumni Association of Xavier School president Jim Howard See of Batch ’94, Batch ’01 representative Christopher Tan, Homecoming chairman Prudencio Coyiuto, and AAXS sports chairman and ‘01 golf committee chairman Oliver Gan, the organizers paid tribute to “Xaverians: Para Kay Cher” by presenting former teachers with a commemorative trophy.
Gan said that aside from the group of teachers, represented by Fermina Calma and Leony Marquez, proceeds from the tournament will also support AAXS members in need, as well as members of the current Xavier School Golf Team, particularly those competing in international tournaments.
“Who we are right now, part of that is because of the way they helped us during our days at Xavier School. We owe it too to our former teachers, and it’s our own little way now of giving back to them,” said Gan, who is also the president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.
“As for the golf team of Xavier School, golf has always been my passion, and we’d like to continue helping these young golfers reach their full potential, reach their dreams of not only representing the Xavier School but the Philippines in different international competitions,” he added.
Former Department of Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap was among those who joined the event.
“I’d like to congratulate the organizers. This is the most-awaited event of former students of Xavier School. I seldom play golf, but if it’s an event of Xavier School, particularly this one – it’s a tournament for a cause – count me in, I’ll always be supportive of these initiatives,” said Yap.
In a two-man scramble format, Lance Cokai and Joshua Go ruled Class A of Division 1 (AAXS-AAXS tandem) with a gross 75 and net 68, edging former PBA player Joseph Yeo and partner Migol Marcelo by one stroke, while Paolo Sunga and Ian Umali finished third with a 69.
In Class B, Ivan Vera Cruz and Abram Vera Cruz topped the division with a 71, while Philippe Bitong and Angelo Wongchuking ruled Class C with a 72, and Wilbert Tan and Elvin Cokai took Class D honors with a 73.
In other categories, Christian Uy and Jet Mathay ruled Class A of Division 2 (AAXS and non-AAXS pairings), while Jerome Ngo and Bogs de Soto topped Class B. In Division 3 (sponsor and guests), Marco Olives and Paolo Cagalingan ruled Class A, while Ramon Ching and Nixon Lee won Class B.
In the Special Division, Noel Estrella and Jonar Austria claimed the Class A title, while Jeffrey Sy and Kristian Sy topped Class B. JB Gosiaco and Hans Tan took the overall Lowest Net title, while Joacquin Arroyo and Miguel Chan secured the Lowest Gross trophy. For the fun holes, Migol Marcelo won Nearest the Pin, while JV Lucero took Most Accurate Drive.
The event was supported by PGA Cars, Transview, Prudential Insurance, PGAi, Signature Series by SM Residences, Blacksun Renewables, Premium Choice, Dragon Casino Royale, Januarius Holdings Inc., DN Golf, Go For Gold, JGFP, Tribune Golf, Bilyonaryo News, Golf Pinoy DotCom, OGAN, and Superkit.
Other sponsors included Jele Beautie, Jele Cube, PCSO Scratch It, Full Swing, Islandwide Distribution Corp., Panthers Golf Team, Darlington, Premium Choice Meat Shop, Bingo Plus, Gerry’s Grill, Par Supply, The Creamery Catering, IC Systems, Tambakerz, EastWest Priority, ACCLI PLX Pure Logistics Express, RDY Premium Auto Group, Espa-Phil Trading, Bebang’s Halo-Halo, VC Securities Corp., Anzal Paints, Pick Up Coffee, Hobli, Mr. Freeze, Casabella, Get Go Golf Carts, Jeremy Go, Kevin Agustin, and former AAXS president Edgar Gatchalian.
Aside from See, the other AAXS officers are Jonathan Richie Yap (vice president), Jeremy Cobankiat (secretary-general), and Joseph Emmanuel Ang (treasurer).
The 11 members of the Board of Trustees are Alvin Ang, Alfonso Yñigo Dumlao, Fritz Rhinhart Dy, Atty. Anthony Lemuel Lim, Atty. Stefano Angelo Lim, Dr. Benjamin Jose Quito, Sean Kennedy Salvador, Allen Christopher Silvano, Frederick Tiu, Jan Michael Uy, and Oliver Gan.
