CCC’s Julius Pierre “Pio” Neri prepares for his next shot in the 70th PAL Inter-Club Golf Tournament in Davao City. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
Davao City — Despite being diagnosed with a blood disorder just recently, Cebu Country Club’s (CCC) Julius Pierre “Pio” Neri still managed to put on a sterling performance in the first day of competition in the Founders’ Division of the 70th Philippine Air Lines (PAL) Inter-Club Regular Men’s Golf Tournament at the Palos Golf and Country Club here.
The 20-year-old Neri, the team captain of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) golf team, made four birdies and a lone bogey to finish with a three-under par 39 for CCC, which is at seventh place with 113 points.
Neri’s teammate Ramontito “Montito” Garcia chipped in 29 points, Ferdinand Chua with 23, and Jovi Neri with 22 points.
Neri made birdies at holes number four, six, eight and 12 in the 18-hole Founders’ Division competition. He had a bogey in hole number four.
Making his performance extra special was that he just came out of the hospital last week after being confined for two days. He said he was not sure he could compete in the tournament since his training was cut short because of his hospitalization.
But he decided to push through after his doctor allowed him to play.
“I’m feeling great right now and my doctor gave me clearance to play just last Monday and I directly flew from Manila to Davao City to compete,” said the Cebuano golfer. “I was happy that my performance pulled us through the rankings. Hopefully we can recover in the second round because we’re not far down from the leader, and I am optimistic that the team will have a better performance on the coming rounds.”
Day two will be held at the Apo Golf and Country Club starting at 7:30 a.m.
Leading the Founders’ Division is Cavite’s Orchard Golf and Country Club with 123 points. WakWak Golf Club and Villamor Golf Club both have 120 points for joint second place. Forest Hills Golf and Country Club and Tagaytay Highlands are also tied with 117 points for joint fourth place followed by Riviera Golf with 116 points.
Fellow Cebuano teams Alta Vista Golf and Country Club and Club Filipino de Cebu, meanwhile, struggled in the aviator’s division, finishing day one at third and ninth places, respectively.
Alta Vista has 93 points for third place while Club Filipino de Cebu has 74 points for ninth place.
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