ANGONO, Rizal – Monique Mendoza defied both the elements and a competitive field, carding an 11-over 83 to rule the weather-disrupted Round 4 of the ICTSI Eastridge Intercollegiate Tournament at the Eastridge Golf Club on Sunday.
Navigating the par-72 mountain-top layout under unpredictable and testing conditions, Mendoza kept her composure through a virtual survival test that included a two-hour delay due to a lightning threat.
Tough conditions
Despite the tough conditions, Mendoza of Ateneo-1 turned in a gritty 42-41 round, battling through a double bogey and nine bogeys in a tournament where birdies came as rare as holes-in-one.
Even with three closing bogeys, Mendoza held firm to secure a commanding six-stroke victory over Pradera Verde leg champion Shane Tan in the 18-hole tournament, the fourth and final leg of the groundbreaking circuit, co-developed by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and the Philippine Golf Foundation.
Mendoza, who placed third at Royal Northwoods but missed the Caliraya and Pradera legs due to academic responsibilities, showcased her return with authority.
“I didn’t expect to win, especially since I haven’t really been playing much golf lately,” said 20-year-old Mendoza. “Going into the tournament, I was just hoping for the best. Thankfully, my swing held up pretty well.”
With Simi Tinio carding a 93, Ateneo-1 secured the team championship with a total of 176, followed by Ateneo-2 at 196 and La Salle-1 with 198.
Tan birdied the 16th but bogeyed the last two holes to finish with an 89 and secure runner-up honors, while Ateneo individual player Julia Lorenzo, Caliraya Springs leg champion and individual overall leader Addie Manhit of UP-1 and Tinio matched 93s.
Royal Northwoods leg winner and returning standout Julia Lua of La Salle-1 finished sixth with 95, followed by Renee Heredia, another individual player from Ateneo, who carded a 96, Natasha Bantug of College of St. Benilde, who posted a 102, and Andrea Joson of Ateneo-1, Janine Yusay of La Salle-1, and Deborah Escote of UST-1, who all shot 103s.
Only teams and individuals who played at least two of the four events advanced to the finals, set for Sept. 23-25 at Splendido Taal Golf Club, to be held alongside the men’s championship. The Top 8 teams (and ties) in each division, as well as all point-scoring individuals, will battle for the season crown.
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