FORMER pro Judeson Eustaquio fired a one-over-par 71 worth 35 points at Binitin in Murcia town on Sunday as Forest Hills beat Villamor for the Founders Division title in the 71st PAL Interclub in Bacolod.
Eustaquio mixed two birdies with three bogeys over the super-tight layout and spearheaded Forest Hills to a closing 127 as the Antipolo-based squad clung on to win by eight points with a 460 tally.
Villamor mounted a huge comeback and churned out the day’s best score in the division, a 135 led by the 38 of Ricky delos Santos and 37 of Jujith Benedicto and nipped Wack Wack for runner-up honors by four.
“It was a great fightback that just fell short,” said a proud Jun Arceo, the Villamor skipper who failed to count in the final round with a 25. “Overall, it was a great tournament for us and a great win by Forest Hills. They played very well.”
Larry Patnongon and Inigo Raymundo accounted for 33 each and either 26s of Raffy Garcia or Francisco Santana counted for Forest Hills.
Christopher dela Cruz chipped in with 32 and Jess Toribio, also former touring pro, fired 28 for Villamor.
Wack Wack finished with a wobble with just 112 led by the 34 of Sammy Sy. The Mandaluyong club tallied just 218 in the final two rounds after amassing 232 in the first two for 450 overall.
Meanwhile, former Philippine Team standout JR Tanpinco and Justin Limjap fired 33 points apiece and led Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club to a wire-to-wire triumph in the Aviator class at Marapara.
Maximo Javelona and Deric Locsin scored 23 and 20, respectively as NOGCC closed out with 109 points for 441 and a 41-point win over Sta. Elena.
Mactan Island Golf Club and South Cotabato Golf and Country Club carved out contrasting final days to win the Sportswriters and Friendship Divisions, respectively, in the tournament that had RMN and Manila Times as platinum sponsors, Mastercard, The Philippines Manila Standard, Rolls Royce, Bombardier, TV5, Primax, BusinessWorld, Crossover and Fox as major sponsors. Other sponsors include Boeing, Pagcor, Belmonte Hotel, Eton Properties and Asia Brewery, Inc.