ALABANG COUNTRY Club reaped the fruits of continuous team rebuilding as it pulled off a rare championship double in the recent Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines (WGAP) Circuit.
Alabang first captured the overall plum in the regular WGAP Circuit following a strong performance in the eighth and final leg, then dominated play in the WGAP Cup that featured the top five teams/clubs of the season.
Trailing Sta. Elena almost throughout the circuit, Alabang grabbed a one-point lead after the sixth leg and still managed to win by three points when the circuit was over.
Alabang then fielded a team made up of Lorna Tabuena, Gina Tuason, Joan Morales, Lolit Arguelles, Vids Torralba, Vivian Chua, Issa Velayo, Verni Oledan, Manilyn Reynes, Anna Haurie, Christine Naidoo, Tina Javellana, Merlie Garcia, Corlayn del Rosario, Ofie Carlos, Maria Brumann and Finina Gorres in the WGAP Cup and still came out the winner.
Alabang rode the momentum of a big start at Sherwood Hills, kept its rivals at bay at Royal Northwoods before holding off the rally of perennial rival Sta. Elena at Canlubang to clinch the top plum.
In the final standings, Alabang had 8.5 points, Sta. Elena 8, Manila Southwoods 6, Villamor 4 and Forest Hills 3.5.
"Nobody does it better than Alabang in team play," said Alabang Ladies chapter president Lorna Tabuena, who attributed the team’s success to veteran leadership, stellar player performances, team unity, camaraderie and the support of the Alabang Country Club directors.
Meanwhile, Rio Co of Sta. Elena emerged the overall individual champion of the circuit nipping Maline Flores of Northwoods in the countback.
Class team champions were Southwoods in Class A and Alabang in both Class B and Class C. Ana Haurie also won another major award for Alabang when she was adjudged the Most Improved Player.
