Highlands dominates WGAP Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines - Tagaytay Highlands sustained its form coming off a three-peat romp in the WGAP Circuit, posting 3.5 points to pace Alabang and three others after the first match play leg at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club’s Mt. Maulot and Mt. Malipunyo composite courses in Lipa, Batangas recently.

The Highlanders won three matches and drew one in the High-Low format among the Classes A and B players to pool 3.5 points and seize a 1.5 point lead over Alabang, Sta. Elena and Forest Hills in a big start to their drive for a record fourth straight championship in the event which features the top five clubs after the annual eight-leg WGAP Circuit presented by Champion Infinity and sponsored by Meralco.

Highlands, coming off fresh from a three-peat feat in the WGAP Circuit with another dominating campaign, played true to form and bested Sta. Elena, Alabang and Canlubang, which all scored two points, to gain the early lead in the WGAP Cup, the country’s women’s version of the Ryder Cup.

Rosalie Heo and Totelle Dimson came away with a 3-1 win over Sta. Elena’s Nancy Ortiga and Rowena Bjorkfund, Grace Jung and Mely Leyeza nipped Alabang’s Lorna Tabuena and Tess Yap, 3-2, and Nini Eustaquio and Veronica Velosa edged Cangolf’s Vanessa Tsutsui and Charo Buencamino, 2-1.

Bern Wong and Diane Lee battled to an all-square match with Forest Hills’ Cristyn Lava and Stella Kim to complete Tagaytay Highlands’ big 3.5-point output start.

The Highlanders, however, brace for a big fightback from the elite WGAP Cup field as they head to Orchard’s Palmer course on Nov. 11 for the second leg, a Best-Ball event for Classes B and C players.