Ateneo wins title anew

CEBU, Philippines – The Blue Eagles once again asserted their supremacy in the 9th La Salle-Ateneo Golf Tournament bagging their eighth overall title at the Cebu Country Club the other day.

The Ateneans scored a total of 64 points against the 40 of the La Sallians. The only time La Salle won the overall title was during the 6th edition of the tournament, which is the reason why Ateneo took home the championship trophy for good the other night during the award rites at the Treff Bar of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Bayani Garcia led the Ateneo rampage shooting a gross three-under-par 69 strokes to win the top honors for class A. 

The lowest net plum was won by Clifford Celdran also of Ateneo with 67 strokes while first runner-up was his teammate Jovi Neri with a net score of 68. La Salle's Ferdie Atendido prevented an Ateneo sweep as he took the second runner-up honors with a net 69 edging teammate Joseph Stevens.

The lowest gross honors for class B went to La Salle's Alex Ignacio with five-over-par 77 strokes.

It was, however, an Ateneo sweep for the net honors with Jack Huang leading the pack shooting a net score of 65 and John Cheu with the same net score finishing as first runner-up. Second runner-up was Blue Eagle Toby Florendo with a net score of 67 beating La Salle's Nino Bascon in the countback.

The lowest gross honors for class C went to Vicente Hipolito of La Salle who made 92 strokes.

Brucedy Chan, also of La Salle, took the lowest net honors with 66 strokes while first runner-up was Regan King of Ateneo with 67 followed by Jason King, also of Ateneo, at second runner-up with a net score of 69 edging teammate Alejo Tiu and this writer, who played for La Salle.

The open division was ruled by Ateneo's Angelo Marquez, who scored a gross 82.

The lowest net honors for this category open to those without club certified handicaps and using the Blind Callaway format, went to La Salle's Robbie Hermoso with 76. First runner-up was Joevince Cañizares of Ateneo with 77 while second runner-up was Marc Yu of La Salle with 81.

The guest division was topped by Dustin Morada with a net score of 73 while runner-up honors went to Anton Florendo with 74.

The lowest gross winners earned ten points for their team while the lowest net champion earned eight points. The first and second runners-up earned five and three points respectively.

Special awards went to four players for hitting their tee shots nearest to the pin on the different par-3 holes.

Dr. Tony San Juan won it on hole number 3 leaving 101 inches for a birdie try. On hole number 5, Bayani Garcia left nine feet for a birdie attempt.

In the back nine, Joseph Stevens was 20 feet away on hole number 13 while this writer had his tee shot land nine inches away from the pin.

This year's host as the One La Salle Alumni Association Cebu Chapter headed by Edward Wutrich. The chairman of the tournament organizing committee was Bobby Martinez and was backed by Jay Melasa and Marc Yu as well as other members of the association. (FREEMAN)