Alabang tops WGAP kickoff leg

MANILA, Philippines - Alabang flexed its muscle early and posted two victories, including in the premier Class A division, to open its title-retention drive in the WGAP (Women’s Golf Association of the Phils.) circuit at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna recently.

Vernie Oledan scored 42 points under the Modified Stableford system while Eun Sil Jang and Rita Horan added 41 points apiece and Marjorie Lopingco tossed in 38 points as Alabang pooled a 162 for a six-point romp over Forest Hills, which had 156, in Class A. Cangolf settled for third with a 153.

Forest Hills, out to improve on its seventh place finish overall last year in the annual event among the top golfing ladies from 10 of the country’s premier golf clubs, drew 41 points from individual winner Jonah Ilagan while Cristina Lava had 39 and Tess Staub and Emelyine Mangulabnan each had 38 points.

The hosts, runner-up overall last year, failed to cash in on their familiarity with the course and checked in third with 153 as Lina de Guzman, Vanessa TsuTsui and Ikuko Kito turned in identical 39 points and Colo Ventosa added a 36 in the tournament organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. (WGAP).

Meanwhile, the second leg of the eight-stage circuit, will be held May 23 at Forest Hills while Riviera will host next on June 14 followed by The Orchard on July 5, Tagaytay Midlands on Aug. 8, Valley Golf on Sept. 5, Mt. Malarayat on Sept. 20 before the series winds up at Sta. Elena on Oct. 17.

Alabang also stamped its class in Class C, assembling a 169 for an eight-point win over Tagaytay Highlands, which had a 161, while Forest Hills placed third with 151. Scorers for Alabang were Tess Yap (45), Minerva Castillo (42) and Luarlene Barclay and Chinky Shah, who both shot 41 points.

The Highlanders got 44 points from individual champion Deena Mendiola while Jessalyn Tan, Connie Mamaril and Catherine Borja had 41, 40 and 36 points, respectively, while Forest Hills drew 40 points from Imelda Yu and 39, 37 and 35 points from Mollie Tanchi, Natie Toribio and Linda de Leon, respectively.

Sta. Elena, fourth overall last year, topped the closely fought Class B category with a 153, edging Canlubang in the countback through the lower handicaps of its top four scorers, led by Nancy Ortiga and Tami Leung’s 40 points, Angie Co’s 37 and Marilen Bantug’s 36. Cangolf drew 41 points from Bianca Lacson, 40 from Maricel Galisim, 37 from Harumi Ieda and 35 from Cheery Lacson.

Alabang fell short of one point with 152 and took third place as Vids Torralba fired a solid 51-point output to run away with the individual title, Greely Oposa made a 35, Ofelia Carlos had a 34 and Carol Nielsen added a 32.

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