Villaroman propels S’woods in Luzvimin

Manila Southwoods, behind the 52 points of veteran Carmelette Villaroman, opened up a six-point lead over Canlubang at the start yesterday of the 11th WGAP Luzvimin Invitational golf tournament at the Cebu Country Club course.

Southwoods posted a four-player aggregate of 175 with the seasoned Lora Roberto chipping in 48, Tracy Locsin adding 45 and either of the 30s of Arlette Dizon and Glenda Da Roza. Lina de Guzman (51), Lucy Landicho (50), Terry Parala (34) and Teresa Carpio (34) put the undermanned Canlubang squad in second place at 169.

Wack Wack, getting 44 points from Liza Lopez, was running third with a 165 in the opening round of the 54-hole tourney organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Defending champion Sta. Elena fell 19 shots behind in fifth place at 156, one shot behind the Eva Minoza-led Del Monte squad.

Sponsoring this year’s tourney are the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Sports Commission, San Miguel, Coca Cola and Philippine Airlines, which is also the official carrier.

In the Pearl division, Camp Aguinaldo grabbed the lead after scoring 127.

The Aguinaldo ladies fired 127 points behind the 37 of Maline Flores, 36 of Malou Belandres and the 27s of Belen Ampong and Artie Mediana to move six points ahead of Alta Vista.

Last year’s winner Manila Golf was in third place at 119 while Alabang, led by WGAP president Gina Tuason’s 38, was fourth at 112.

A close fight looms in the individual race as Villaroman was up by just a point over de Guzman and by two over Landicho. Riviera’s Remijin Camping was just three behind after a 49 and Roberto four down with her 48.