La Salle seeks repeat win over Ateneo in golf duel

The La Salle Green Archers will try to keep possession of the Ambassador Valdes Cup when they clash with the Ateneo Blue Eagles anew in the 16th edition of their annual golf dual meet which will be co-hosted by Canlubang and Manila Golf on May 6-8.

In addition to the traditional age-group competition, this year’s jubilarians (HS ’78) are planning to include a special side-event following the Ryder Cup format to spice up the competition chiefly sponsored by PLDT, Smart Pepsi and Taylor Made.

The side-event is to feature 32 of the best players of the contending schools competing under a match play format with the results also contributing points to the overall standing.

The tentative lineups are for La Salle — Paul Salvador, Tony Olives, Raffy Garcia, Abe Rosal, Ronnie Littaua, Richie Garcia, Dan Salvador III, JR Tanpinco, Caloy Coscoluella, Alex Montelibano, and Francis Gaston.

The Ateneo side is to be bannered by Kit Lopez, Jingy Tuason, Mari Hechanova, Iggy Clavecilla, Bong Brobio, Jeric Hechanova, Junjun Plana, Pepot Inigo, Joel Opaco, Manoling Chan to name a few.

The three-day, two-course format should give way to faster play and improved scoring.

On May 6, senior division (60 years and above) entries will tee-off at Manila Golf Club and the rest at Canlubang Golf and Country Club where ages 50-59 play at the South, ages 19 and below as well as the Ladies Division at the North. On May 7, the 40-44 bracket will be at the south and 30-39 at the north and on May 8, those in the 45-49 level will be at the south and the 20-29 at the north.

The same modified Blind Callaway format will be applied in the tournament.

Entry fee is P1,900 (inclusive of green fee, awards dinner, raffle, mulligans and giveaways) for non-members and Php 1,000 for Canlubang and Manila Golf members. Eligible are players and alumni from any Christian brother or any Jesuit run school who must have at least completed two years in that school.

Awarding rites will be at the National Sports Grill, Greenbelt 1 in Makati on May 8 (Thursday) at 6 p.m.

For more information, please contact the Ateneo Golf Foundation/Ateneo Alumni Affairs Office, 426-6081 or 82 (Letty, Lara or Mercy) or check out the posters for more details.