Sta. Elena nips Agui, captures WGAP Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Elena rallied in the final round, scoring 3.5 points in the Greensome to nip Aguinaldo and cop the WGAP (Women’s Golf Association of the Phils.) Cup at The Country Club in Laguna recently.

The Sta. Elena golfers drew big rounds from their Classes A and C players, picking up three wins over Aguinaldo, Tagaytay Highlands and Alabang while battling Canlubang to an all-square match, as they pooled 7.5 points to top the three-day event among the top five teams in the recent WGAP circuit ruled by Alabang.

The Muntinlupa-based squad, which beat Canlubang by three to reign in this year’s WGAP circuit, actually led with six points after the Best Ball for B and C and Aggregate for A and B formats at Ayala Greenfields and at The Orchard, respectively. But it struggled in the Greensome with a draw with Canlubang and wound up third instead.

Aguinaldo, fifth in the WGAP circuit, closed out with two points on victories over Canlubang and Alabang to claim runner-up honors with seven points while Tagaytay Highlands, scoring three wins over Aguinaldo,

Canlubang and Alabang in the Greensome, and Canlubang, with one point from two all-square matches, came in fourth and fifth with five and four points, respectively.

Alabang, which led from start to finish in the WGAP circuit, appeared headed for another romp when it led in the first two rounds, posting wins over Aguinaldo, Sta. Elena, Canlubang and Tagaytay Highlands in the Best-Ball and hurdling Tagaytay Highlands and Sta. Elena in the Aggregate.

Aguinaldo, which only had one win in the Best Ball, pressed its bid with a solid showing in the Aggregate format, winning four matches over Tagaytay Highlands, Alabang, Sta. Elena and Canlubang.

The Alabang ladies still led by one over Aguinaldo, 6-5, at the start of the final round but Sta. Elena, staying within striking distance with four points, saved its best for last to score a come-from-behind victory.

Sta. Elena’s Classes A and C players included Therese Dabao and Erlinda Leung, Rio Co and Misako Ogihara, Daisy Jackes and Fely Lopez and Lily Chan and Yuko Takeda.