Alta Vista cops fourth Sta. Lucia Tour title

MANILA, Philippines - The Alta Vista Golf and Country Club took the Group 2 title and finished no lower than fourth in all four divisions in a solid finish that sent the Cebuanos scampering to their fourth overall title in the 10th Sta. Lucia Golf Tour.

Marlo Cugtas and Rolando Alberto rallied from eight points down to salvage the Group 2 title and lead the clean-up job for Alta Vista which also drew big third-place finish points from Alex Yeo-Deo Gabasa in Group 1 and Lorenzo Alaan-Roy Damole in seniors play for the runaway win.

The Cebuanos amassed 43 for the final leg played at the Norman and Faldo courses of Eagle Ridge to complete the four-stage, three-month series with 170 points.

Alta Vista and Eagle Ridge are now tied as the teams with the most Club of the Year trophies in the annual series featuring nine clubs developed and operated by real estate giant Sta. Lucia.

Eagle Ridge topped Group 3 at its home course through Arnold Ignacio and Victorio Eusebio. Bobby Wee-Noe Taojo placed second in Group 1 but their efforts could not tow the hosts past the solid Alta Vistans. Eagle scored 41-157.

Palos Verdes placed third at 148, Summit Point and Royal Tagaytay tied for fourth at 117, Orchard had 82, Lakewood 70, league debutante Beverly Place 55 and Caliraya Springs 20.

The tour team awards went to Yeo-Gabasa and Arnel Kwan-Leo Saberon both of Alta Vista in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, Ignacio-Eusebio in Group 3 and Amor Tanjuakio-Bong de Guzman of Lakewood in seniors.

Individual champions were Enrico Solon of Alta Vista in championship, Yeo in Class A, Mario Pradil of Royale Tagaytay Class B, Michael Mangio of Beverly Class C, Romeo Asis of Orchard Class D and de Guzman in seniors.

The event is backed by Hyundai, Autohub, Wilson, LG Electronics and Philippine Airlines. Marriott-Cebu, Marco Polo Hotel-Davao and Bellevue Manila are the official hotels.