BACOLOD, Philippines – Four-peat seeking Manila Southwoods played true to form and pooled a 235, racing to a 13-point lead over Del Monte in the premier Diamond division while host Negros Occidental took charge in the Ruby side of the WGAP-Luzvimin golf tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here Wednesday.
Sunshine Baraquiel, toughened up by a series of stints in the US, shot 51 Molave points while three-time individual champion Regine de Guzman and Lora Roberto backed her up with 50 points to send fancied Southwoods squad way ahead of the pack.
Bernadette Abiera made a 44 while Marie Claire Ong turned in a 40 to complete Southwoods’ 235 output in the seven-to-play, five-to-count format 54-hole event organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Phils.
Pamela Mariano fired 47 points, Lovelyn Guioguio had a 46, while Eva Miñoza, Apple Fudolin and Kristine Leonen shot 44, 43 and 42 points, respectively, for Del Monte, which assembled a 222.
Mactan Island, led by Vergie Lou Hwang’s 41 and the 40 points by Geraldine Ash, made a 169 for third followed by Victorias (147), Davao Apo (128), Davao City Golf (121) and Baguio (105).
Baraquiel also led the individual race with her 51, one point ahead of De Guzman, Roberto and Bacolod’s Cara Gomez.
The hosts, however, showed their familiarity with the tight layout as it fired a 189 to post an 11-point lead over Alabang in Ruby division while Riviera shot a 174 for a four-point margin over Bacolod in the Pearl category of the annual event.
Negros Occidental drew 45 points from Gaby Monfort, while Maita Lustre, Joanne Reyes, Jocelyn Garcia and Joan Rojas chipped in 40, 39, 37 and 28 points, respectively.
Alabang, the leading team in the WGAP circuit, shot a 178 as Rita Horan made a 46 while Videlyn Torralba and Joan Morales added two 36s and Arlene Barclay and Marjorie Lopingco tossed in 31 and 29 points, respectively.
Defending champion Sta. Elena struggled with a 172, 17 points behind, as Therese Dabao made a 39 and Rio Co, Tami Leung, Marilen Bantug and Lota Nemec turned in a 37, 36, 31 and 29 points, respectively.
Tagaytay had a 167 for fourth followed by Camp John Hay (157), Wack Wack (144) and Canlubang (129).
Beth Salazar and Gilda Medestomas shot identical 37 points to power Riviera to the Pearl class lead but Bacolod is right behind with a 170 as Golez shot 50 points and Jocel Pagunsan added a 34.
Villamor is in third with a 153 while last year’s champion Forest Hills had a 144.