Southwoods back-to-back champ in Asian ladies golf

BAGUIO CITY–Manila Southwoods Masters came up with another 207 yesterday and became the first back-to-back Group 1 champions in the second Asian Ladies team championship at the Camp John Hay Golf Club.

Together with their previous collective efforts of 198 and 207, the Southwoods Masters bets from Carmona, Cavite wound up with 612 to retain the coveted crown by 19 big points over National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP).

NGAP shot a final round 199 to go with its earlier efforts of 195 and 199 for 593 and settled for second place in the event’s premier group.

Forest Hills scored 142 for 435 points to keep the Group II pennant while Mario’s Mulligans made 131 for 409 to capture the Group III championship.

A colorful awards ceremony capped the three-day event overall coordinator Shean Bedi conceptualized and CJHGC chairman Robert John Sobrepeña readily supported last year.

A record 108 players representing 18 squads competed for team and individual honors in the tournament presented by Bayo, Globe Platinum, Nestle and Wilson Sports.

"On behalf of the organizing committee led by Bob Sobrepeña and tournament chairman Freddie Mendoza, I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank the other participants," Bedi said. "See you next year."

"Above all, I would like to express our gratitude to the tournament presenters. Their generous support contributed a lot to the success of staging one of our major club championships."

Carmelette Villaroman again tamed the down-and-up course Jack Nicklaus redesigned with a one under par 68 or 55 points in the Molave scoring system to lead Southwoods Masters anew.

It was a double celebration for Southwoods Masters as she also won Group I individual honors. Together with her earlier scores of 51 and 57, Villaroman has 163. Teammate Lora Roberto was second with 155.

Other members who contributed to the team effort were Tracy Locsin with 54, Roberto 53 and the 45 of either Beachie Abiera or Marilyn Ty. Completing the squad was Sandy Velhagen with 34.

Lina de Guzman paced NGAP with 54 points.

The three others who contributed to the team were Lucy Landicho with 51 and Reb Bareng and Samantha Cebrero with 47 each.

Camp Aguinaldo 1 shot 175 for 512 to finish second in Group I, followed by Sta. Elena with 176 and 507.