Manibusan triumphs in Super Seniors debut

Former Superior Court presiding judge Edward Manibusan won his Super Seniors debut in the 19th Tournament of Champions held over the weekend at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

Manibusan, who joined the Seniors Flight in 2011 and 2012 and missed the 2013 competition before jumping to the Super Seniors Flight this year, carded a 7-over par 151 in the two-day tournament to beat 31 other golfers in his division.

Super Seniors Flight champion Edward Manibusan is flanked by TOC chair Ben Babauta, left, and Titan Imports, Inc. managing director John Antenorcruz during the awards ceremony for the 19th Tournament of Champions last Sunday at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

He shot a 72 in the first round last Saturday, firing 36s on both nines of the west course of Laolao, before recording a 79 in the second and final round last Sunday. Manibusan was one of the only two golfers in the more than 150-player field to hit an even par in the first round. The other one was Ladies Flight champion Leina Kim.

In the second round, the lawyer was on track on the front nine of the facility’s east course, recording a 2-over par 38 before closing out with a 5-over par 41 on the back. Despite slowing down in the last day of the tournament, Manibusan managed to become the only golfer in his division to score in the 70s on both days and earn a wide winning margin, as he led 2013 champion Nick Sablan by eight strokes.

Sablan faltered on his bid for back-to-back crowns, as he trailed by five shots after the opening round, following his 5-over 77 last Saturday. Sablan was just two strokes behind Manibusan after the first nine holes, as the former tallied a 2-over par 38.

Manibusan then gained more cushion on the back nine where Sablan carded a 3-over par 39.
In the second round, Sablan struggled early with his 7-over 43 on the front nine and though he registered a field-best 3-over par 39 on the back, it was not enough to help him retain the Super Senior Flight title.

Meanwhile, three other golfers joined Sablan and Manibusan in the podium with Sang Hee Sui placing third and beating Toshiyuki Mori in the tiebreak and Eddie Peter rounding out the Top 5. Sui shot an 80 and 85 for a gross 165, tying Mori, who logged an 83 in the first round and 82 in the second. Peter posted an 82 and 84 for a two-day total of 166.

In other results, Barry Wilson, Vic Borja, Jun Suk Kim, Takao Urusawa, and Namki Kim ruled their respective flights.

Wilson and Borja shared top honors in the Senior Flight after finishing the two-round tournament with identical scores of 156. Borja registered a 79 in the first round and forced a tie for first place with Wilson after tallying a 77 in the final round. Wilson had 78s on both days to notch his fourth straight Senior crown. Day 1 co-leader Frederico Flores dropped to second as he came up with an 81 in the second round after firing a 71 in the opening day. Flores also had a two-day total of 156, but lost the tiebreak to Wilson and Borja. Tars Olopai, who was in the company of Flores at the top spot with his 71 in the first round fell to fifth after recording an 86 in the second round for a total of 163. Olopai lost in the tiebreak for fourth with Rick Kautz, who had a 77 and 86. Joseph Sablan finished fourth with his 160, built from a 79 in the first round and 81 in the second.

In the A Flight, Jun Suk Kim escaped with a one-shot win over Feng Chun Jin. Jun Suk Kim scored a 76 and 80 for a two-day total of 156, while Jin tallied 157 after carding an 81 and 76. The battle for the next two spots was also close, as third Joseph Muna recorded a 158 (79 and 79) for a one-stroke lead over fourth finisher Eui Suk Ko (76 and 83). Dong Young Lee completed the Top 5 with his 165 (81 and 84).

In the B Flight, the winner was decided by only one stroke, too with Urusawa edging Leo Ganacias, 162-163. Urusawa, who nailed an 84 in the first round stole the division win after firing a 78 in the second round. Ganacias also had an 84 in the first round and fell one stroke short of tying Urusawa with his 79 in the second round. Dae Young Yoon (165), Benjamin Mabborang (167), and Jun Calma (167) rounded out the Top 5.

In the C Flight, Namki Kim notched a three-stroke win over Tony Yan. Namki Kim logged an 83 and 93 in the two-day competition for a total of 176, while Yan registered an 87 and 92 sfor his 179. Bing Bai, Matthew Ludwig, and Mike Cruz joined Namki Kim and Yan in the Top 5 after tallying identical scores of 181.