Ateneo tops Golf Classic vs. La Salle

CEBU, Philippines - For the ninth time in ten years, the Blue Eagles once again bagged the overall honors in the Ateneo-La Salle Golf Classic Cebu last Saturday at the Club Filipino Incorporada de Cebu course in Danao City.

Ateneo piled up a total of 64 points against only 40 for La Salle.

It was the first time that the tournament was played on a weekend and the first time to be held at the par-71 CFIC.

Rain, however, hampered the action with the last four flights, which included some of the big guns from La Salle, failing to finish.

Bayani Garcia led Ateneo by taking the lowest gross honors for class A shooting five-under-par 66 strokes in the soggy course.

The lowest net honors for class A went to Ericka Lim of Ateneo with 67 strokes while first runner-up honors went to JJ Alvarez of La Salle with 69 and second runner-up was Fern Zaldariaga of La Salle also with 69 strokes.

The lowest gross for a division earns the team 10 point, lowest net 8, first runner-up 6, and 2nd runner-up 4.

La Salle skipper Nino Bascon topped class B with his lowest gross score of five-over-par 76.

The lowest net plum for class B went to Ateneo’s Jack Huang with 63 strokes off a gross 78. First runner-up was Alyeska Yunam also of Ateneo with a net score of 66 followed by teammate Toby Florendo with a net score of 67.

In class C, a very inspired Junrey Pelayo gave Ateneo 10 points after taking the lowest gross plum with 80 strokes.

The lowest net honors for the class went to La Salle’s Brucedy Chan with 60 strokes followed by Ateneo’s Michael Lim with 67 and Jason King with 68.

In the open class for those without handicaps, Ateneo’s Antonio Pañares won the title with a net score of 70 in the System-36 format.

First runner-up was La Salle’s Benjie Uichico with a net 72 and second runner-up was La Salle’s Bro. Bernie Oca also with a net score of 72.

In the guest division, the lowest gross honors went to Gen Nagai with an even-par 71 performance.

Lowest net honors went to Ian Cabigas with 13-under-par 58 strokes followed by Tito Lerio with 63 and Arsenio ‘Dodong’ Pelicano with 64.

The guest division was for players, who are not alumni of the two schools.

Next year, it will be La Salle’s turn to host the tournament and it has been suggested that the event be held in Bacolod City. - THE FREEMAN