Sta. Lucia tour up in Cebu

CEBU – Upstarts Orchard and Eagle Ridge will try to increase the big gains they made in the first leg when the inaugural Sta. Lucia Tour 2000 resumes tomorrow, at the hazard-laden Alta Vista Golf and Country Club here.

After a Korean-dominated Orchard team had claimed Class A honors and Eagle Ridge romping off with divisions B and C, the three other clubs – Alta Vista, Rancho Palos Verdes and Royale Tagaytay – are expected to go all out in tightening up the race for the Sta. Lucia Cup.

Teams chasing the Sta. Lucia Cup need consistent performances in all three stops of the Sta. Lucia Tour to clinch the trophy that will be personally awarded by Englishman Nick Faldo after the final stop at Eagle Ridge next month.

The Alta Vista leg is another 36-hole affair with the field returning Saturday for the final round.

Luzon and Mindanao-based teams were flown to Cebu by Philippine Airlines, the official carrier.

Aside from Cebu Plaza which is the official hotel, the other sponsors are Yamaha-Kart Plaza Manufacturing, Club Car-Turf. Co. and Porsche Golf for the hole-in-one prizes, Outback Steakhouse and Pisanti Shirts.

"Everybody knows this is a crucial round so we will not be surprised to see a major shakeup in the standings after Saturday," said Vicente Santos