All fore the grand slam

MANILA, Philippines - “We did it!” exclaimed Farah Imperial when Team Highlands ladies bagged the third major ladies golf crown within 12 months, completing a rare sweep of the country’s three premier ladies golf tournaments.

After the Highlanders won the first two majors — the 2012 WGAP (Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines) Cup matchplay last November and the eight-leg 2012 WGAP Circuit stableford format in October — Farah campaigned for the the team to secure the 2013 Ladies Federation League Championship. This was for the historic triple gold.

And they did just that on May 30. Highlands Federation co-captain Marilen Yaptangco said, “We worked hard for the Grand Slam. We own it. We deserve it. Nobody can say otherwise.”

Team Highlands’ string of victories actually spilled over into the ongoing 2013 WGAP Circuit when it posted another rare sweep of three handicap levels in the Forest Hills leg early June where it won the Classes A, B and C.

From late January till May, Sandy Romualdez and her co-captain, cruise ship queen Marilen of Baron Travel, had their heads on global businesses but their hearts with Team Highlands, racking up cellphone charges discussing and matching players skills to produce the best pairs in every home-and-away match play format of the Federation Games.

“I had to set my watch to where Len is, Moscow, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Switzerland,” said Sandy.

“Knowing that energizer Sandy is the only team captain who works practically 24 hours, mother of three growing boys, wife to a mining executive, socio-civic leader and still squeezed in time to lead the team, we were certainly moved to dance to the same fast beat,” said Dionne Cu, Highlands treasurer.

The team’s success is because of a bilateral partnership complementing and bonding 40 independent-minded and strong-hearted ladies, with ages ranging from 11 to the 70s.

Sandy is overall sports captain appointing co-captains for federation, WGAP, and other tournaments. Three coordinators – Totelle Dimson, Becky Albert, and Deena Mendiola – ensure up-to-date communication among members who seldom play Tagaytay Highlands and Midlands off-Fed season.

Rosalind Wee, a Red Cross governor, grandmother of 12 is team president. Connie Mamaril, world travel executive and visual presentation expert, vice president.

Becky Albert, engineer by education, pianist by avocation, golfer by passion, mother of three, secretary. Dionne Cu, retired international clothing manufacturer, treasurer. Maline Flores is the founder of  Chocolate Kiss coffee shop and assistant treasurer. Riva Galveztan, vegetarian and wellness advocate is resident photographer. Marissa Vergara opens her houses at Punta Fuego to Los Banos to Tagaytay for team building. Gie Bote is ambassador of goodwill. Marixi Prieto is a girl scout when called to play, no ifs, ands or buts.