Alabang tops Class A in WGAP Orchard leg

MANILA, Philippines - Alabang cranked up its drive for a second straight overall crown in the WGAP (Women’s Golf Association of the Phils.) circuit as it topped Class A while coming up with a pair of third place finishes in two other divisions in the fourth leg at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite recently.

Joan Morales knocked down 42 points under the Modified Stableford system while Jocelyn Garcia and Marjorie Lopingco turned in 39 points apiece and Marilyn Reyes added 38 points as the Alabang ladies pooled a 158 to post a five-point victory over Sta. Elena.

Rio Co led Sta. Elena’s 153 output with 41 points and went on to bag the individual title in the premier class while Therese Dabao, Tami Leung and Carina Ricamonte added 40, 38 and 34 points for the Laguna-based squad in the 10-to-play, four-to-count format event among the leading lady golfers from the country’s top clubs.

Tagaytay Highlands, with Bernadette Wong firing 41 points and Farah Imperial backstopping with 40 points, settled for third with a 148 followed by Forest Hills (133), Canlubang (130) and Armed Forces of the Phils. (formerly Aguinaldo GC) with 108.

Sta. Elena, on the other hand, ruled Class B with a 156, nipping AFP by two points while Alabang struggled to finish third followed by Forest Hills (137), Canlubang (135), Riviera (135), Villamor (131), Tagaytay Highlands (97) and Orchard (96).

Gretchen Recto and Misako Ogihara shot 40 points apiece while Lily Chan and Junko Naruse chipped in 39 and 37 points for Sta. Elena although AFP’s Marie Guerrero, also firing 40 points together with teammate Leni Cabili, took the individual plum via countback.

Tagaytay Highlands likewise posted a two-point victory over AFP, 156-154, in Class C with Alabang turning in another third place finish with a 147 followed by Forest Hills (139), Villamor (135), Valley Golf (121), Canlubang (114) and Orchard (106).

Patricia Tan carded a solid 50-point output while Dionne Cu, Catherine Borja and Erlinda Gamut tossed in 37, 36 and 33 points, respectively, for the Highlanders although AFP’s Edlyn Robas copped the individual title with 46 points.

Other scorers for AFP were Lally Trinidad, Babie Lagura and Nitz Salivio with 41, 34 and 33 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, the fifth leg of the eight-stage circuit will be held at Tagaytay Midlands on Aug. 8, while Valley Golf will host the next stop on Sept. 5, and then at Mt. Malarayat on Sept. 20 before the series winds up at Sta. Elena on Oct. 17.