Ateneo edged De La Salle University, 42-40, and claimed its third straight title at the close of the 21st Ateneo-La Salle Golf Classic recently at the North and South courses of the Canlubang Golf and Country Club.
Unlike the intense rivalry the Blue Eagles and Green Archers had in the past at the hard court, alumni and students of both schools of almost 200 preserved the gentleman nature of the sport in one of the closest battles in the Golf Classic.
An audit committee was actually formed to revalidate the final results in this tournament backed by Pancake House, Pepsi-Cola, Pioneer Insurance, Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey, Titleist, Wine Depot, Microtel, Animo Magazine, Hidden Valley Springs, Rudy Project, Smartnet, The Plaza Ham, Bayantel, Pagcor, San Miguel Corp., PASAR, Prudential Guarantee, Primax Brocasting Network and Linden Suites.
There was only one instance during the early years of this annual duel that the tournament ended in a tie. The highlight of this year’s event was the exemplary honesty displayed by players from both sides, as others volunteered to disqualify themselves although they had been declared winners.
“Despite the need for results in some of the classifications to be re-tabulated, standings reshuffled, points reallocated which led to trophies being recalled to be later on awarded to the eventual winners, the honesty and sportsmanship displayed certainly made both schools winner,” La Salle alumnus Doni Mapa said.