BAGUIO CITY – A pair of teenagers lifted defending champion Manila Southwoods-Masters to a four-point lead over rival Cebu Country Club Tuesday at the start of the 11th Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub golf team championships at the Camp John Hay golf course here.
Rookie Bernice Ilas, 14, and Sophia Chabon, 15, delivered for the five-time champions, scoring 54 and 52 points, respectively.
Ilas mixed four birdies with four bogeys to finish at even par 68 while Chabon returned a 70 on two birdies against four bogeys.
Counting Lora Roberto’s 47 points, the SW-Masters totaled 153 points.
“As long as we’re up, it’s a good day,” said SW playing captain Claire Ong.
SW-Masters was forced to use only three players after one of its players, Andrea Pineda, failed to make the trip due to her studies.
CCC, out to end SW-Masters’ five-year reign, rode on Crystal Faith Neri’s 57 points to stay in contention.
Neri made six birdies against three bogeys to score the day’s best score.
Sisters Irina and Junia Gabasa shot 48 and 44 points, respectively to round out CCC’s scoring. Ryoko Nagai failed to count with 34 points.
In the Founders division, Alabang Country Club surged on top with 145 points behind Ma. Josefina Gorres (51), Rita Horan (47) and Marilyn Reyes (47).
Valley Golf South, powered by Marielle Isabela Tee’s 49 points, took second spot with 140 followed by Orchard Team A with 131 points.
Eagle Ridge was the leader in the Sportswriters class after submitting 121 points.
Scoring for Eagle Ridge were Lita Samson 47, Erlinda Goble 40 and Leonila Patricio 34.
A three-horse race was shaping up in the Friendship bracket among Wack Wack (99), Victorias (97) and Alabang Ladies Golf Chapter (95).
Major sponsors of the 72-hole event include Solar Entertainment Corp., Airbus, Business Mirror, Mareco Broadcasting Network, People Asia and Manila Broadcasting Corp. Other backers are Philippine Daily Inquirer, Fonterra, Mega Fiber, Mastercard, Tanduay Distillers and Zalora.
The results:
Championships: Manila Southwoods Masters, 153 (Ilas 54; Chabon 52; Roberto 47) Cebu Country Club 149 (Neri 57; Gabasa, I. 48; Gabasa, J. 44)
Founders: Alabang Country Club 145, Valley Golf South 140, The Orchard Team 1 131, Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter 127, Rancho PalosVerdes 125, Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club 120, Del Monte 111, Manila Southwoods Legend 110
Sportswriters: Eagle Ridge 121, Camp Aguinaldo Team A 119, Apo Golf 115, Davao City Golf Club 109, Manila Golf 108, Camp John Hay 106, Anvaya Golf Club 105, Valley North 102, Pueblo de Oro 101, Lady Eagles Australian/New Zealand 98, Bacolod Golf 94, Iloilo Golf 90,
Friendship: Wack Wack 99, Victorias 97, Alabang Ladies 95, Baguio Country Club 92, Camp Aguinaldo Team B 89, Orchard Team 2 80, Port Moresby 76.
