Alta Vista guns for Sta. Lucia Tour title

The mighty Alta Vista squad of Cebu will fly to Luzon early next month carrying an imposing lead that is expected to turn the third and final leg of the 2002 Sta. Lucia Tour into a virtual victory lap for the Cebuano squad.

Riding high on its tremendous show of force in the first two legs, Alta Vista has amassed 75 points and will carry a 31-point advantage over Rancho Palos Verdes (44) in the culmination of the nationwide series on Dec. 6-7.

Eagle Ridge, fast losing its grip on the Sta. Lucia Cup it has won the past two years, is third with 43 points while Orchard and Royale Tagaytay are tied for fourth spot with 30 points.

The final leg, which actually serves as the Luzon stop following the Mindanao and Visayas editions, will be co-hosted by Orchard in its famed Palmer course and Eagle Ridge at its tough Faldo layout.

The Sta. Lucia Tour is backed by Unirock, Corp., Taylor Made and Readycon as major sponsors. Minor backers are Gainers Marketing, Kubota, Omega, Kodak, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Yamaha is the hole-in-one prize provider while Hyatt (Manila), Marco Polo (Davao) and Cebu Plaza are the official hotels.

Before the final leg, Taylor Made will sponsor a skills challenge on Dec. 5 at scenic Royale Tagaytay Golf Club.

Dubbed as the Taylor Made Shootout, the competition will require contestants to use a particular club for each hole ranging from wedges, middle irons, long irons and utility clubs. The objective will be to get as accurate as possible to win one of the two prizes on offer.