Southwoods nails 4th crown

BAGUIO CITY — CAP Southwoods enshrined itself as one of the winningest teams in the Fi-Am conclave, nailing its fourth straight title with another great finish in the 53rd edition of the invitational team championship at the Baguio Country Club layout.

Putra Cup-bound Jerome Delariarte churned in another sub-par performance with his two-under 59 which is good for 38 points to power Southwoods‚ closing with 132 points and a 556 aggregate, 29 off rival DHL Mizuno.

Japanese Toru Nakajima had a 33, while Erwin Vinluan and Juami Rocha added 31 and 30 each for the team which now joins Camp John Hay and Canlubang as the only teams with four straight titles.

DHL Mizuno closed out with 131 for a 527 aggregate after getting 34 from Paul Miñoza who is also to leave for Hongkong tomorrow for the Putra Cup. Romeo Jaraula and Joel Opaco carded 33 apiece while Jojo Fernando added a 31 as DHl Mizuno gained another runner-up finish here.

" What was crucial was our moving ahead at the John Hay course and sustaining our momentum at the difficult Baguio Country Club and that spelled the difference," said Southwoods official Jeric Hechanova.

And what seemed encouraging for the team was its having a pretty solid back-up through its Am Division squad when they battle powerhouse teams like Canlubang and Luisita in the PAL Interclub this February in Davao. "We will give them a good fight," said Hechanova.

Delariarte actually capped a great year with his victory here and earlier triumph in the national amateur championship and a berth in the RP team to the Busan Asian Games.

It might even be his last Fil-Am as he looks forward to turning pro next year and follow the footsteps of his good friend Angelo Que who won his first title a day earlier in the Bacolod leg of the First Gentleman’s circuit.

"I called up Angel last night to congratulate him," added Delariarte.

Forest Hills ended up third with 477 after a 112.

Over at the CJH course, DHL Mizuno repeated over CAP Southwoods and avoid a sweep by the CAP Southwoods.

Individual champion Tristan Tabanas fired another four-under 63 for 40 points to lead the defending champion’s 141 total and 518 four-day card. Jimmy Feliciano and Greg Lagauatan carded 34 points each while Rudy Amata’s 33 complete the score list.

Lyndon Barril matched Tabanas‚ four under par performance, while veteran Junjun Plana added a two-under 67 for 38 points, but Southwoos could only get 33 points from Artemio Murakami and 31 from Mark Lopez which were not enough to overhaul the 10 points lead of the defending champions. The four totaled 142 for 509 aggregate, nine off the champions. Forest Hills landed third with 477.

Meanwhile, Guam Kool Swingers outplayed deposed champion Home Metro Manila to romp away with the Fil C title.The team scored 93 points for a four-day total 408 and a 17-point margin. Publicis Dialog landed third with 389 after a closing 98.

Fil-Am Diego sneaked from behind three-day leader Baguio Country Club to win the Fil, D title. A closing 93 points and a 385 total allowed the visitors to overtake the host team which mustered 84 points for an aggregate of 382.

Green Water Meadows, which shared the top post after three rounds, also faltered and was two shots further.

Hard Rock Café/Country Waffles shot a day best 84 to totally dominate Fil E from day one to four. The team has 375 points, 47 off its nearest rival Chamorro (76-328) and Pugad Lawin (77-312).

Sustagen Premium 1 became the first local team to win when it topped Fil F after closing out with a 72 for a 338 total. PAGA Guam shot a similar 72 for 324 to place second while Aloha Golf Team is third (59-284).

Floyd de la Cruz of Isabela team registered the first hole-in-one yesterday in the six-day competitions. He aced the 18th par 3, 166 yards using a Rey Grande #4 ball and a Bridgestone 7-iron. It was the second ace of De la Cruz, whose team paces Fil B after three rounds. His first was at the Veterans golf club last March 13, 2000.

Okinawa GC closed out with 108 points to win the Am C title in a runaway fashion. Okinawa GC’s 382 aggregate is 26 off DKA Los Angeles I. Dugong Bughaw is third (90-342).

Eva Air closed out with a 69 but still was too far for other teams to catch up in the Am D title. Eva Air has 304 points, 15 more than Baguio Jungolf and another shot off PMA Cavaliers.

Yokosan shot a 77 and 316 total for the Am E title. Two-day leader Batch 92 ended up second after a 70 for 301 total. Sustagen Premium I took third honors after a 71 for 293.

In Am F, Team Brassie of Nueva Ecija scored 64 points and a four-day aggregate 276 to win the title over early leader ULTRA Flight (57-245). Chamorro is third with 244 after a 52. — With reports from Artemio Dumlao