Pucay shines as Senior Tour builds a new era for veteran pros

Mars Pucay leaned on a fiery backside charge to outduel Rico Depilo and Sonny Almazan, capturing the individual crown in the Pilipinas Senior Pro Golf Tour Organization’s (PSPGTO) Leaders and Legends tournament at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna last week.

A seasoned veteran and former national amateur champion, Pucay drew heavily from his intimate familiarity with the layout where he developed much of his early skill. His course mastery proved decisive as he rallied past Depilo and then delivered clutch pars coming home to card a 69 and rule the pro division of the 18-hole event featuring the country’s finest senior golfers aged 50 to 59.

Pucay mixed two birdies with a bogey on the North Course’s front nine, then caught fire coming in with birdies on Nos. 11, 12, and 14. A slip on the 15th hardly fazed him as he closed with composure to complete a 35-34 round.

Almazan submitted a bogey-free 35-35 card to tie Depilo, who had briefly seized control with a frontside 34, but cooled off with a birdie-bogey exchange on the last nine as they finished joint second with 70s.

Jhonny Espares and Arnold Villacencio turned in identical 71s for joint fourth as Leo Serdenia followed with a 72 in Division I of the tournament presented by Exceed Supernova Financials Group, headed by Ronald Agoncillo.

The tour resumes on Dec. 8 at Hallow Ridge in San Pedro, Laguna, continuing its mission to provide a competitive arena for the country’s former standouts – many of whom built their legacies in the regular men’s tour and now seek a meaningful and structured sporting life in their senior years.

Beyond serving as a battlefield of champions, the PSPGTO has become an essential bridge for the country’s former top guns transitioning from the regular tour into the senior ranks..

The event also featured renowned names from past touring eras, including Robert Pactolerin, Dan Cruz, Mario Manubay, Ernie Rellon and Wendy Superal – highlighting how the senior circuit preserves and celebrates Philippine golf’s rich lineage.

Nards Estrera topped Division II (ages 60–69) with a 74, edging Rey Janaya and Leonardo Sanchez by one after both carded 75s. Ed Lactao and Oscar Colminas posted identical 76s in the same division.

In Division III (70 and above), Dave Hernandez claimed the title with a 77, beating Florencio Tiamzon in a countback via a birdie on the final hole. Fabian del Rosario and Felix Fernando tied for third with 78s.

Almazan returned to the spotlight in the pro-am side, partnering with amateur Bryan Lim to shoot a sizzling 60 – just enough to nip the team of Lito Limbo and Randy Rogelio by one. Villacencio and Darrell Ruado, along with Estrera and Rudy dela Cruz, shared third with 63s.