THE ATENEO Golf Teams began their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) careers in solid fashion, with the Men’s team sitting at third and the Women’s team gaining the early lead. The first round of the four-leg tournament occurred earlier today at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club in the City of Tagaytay.
The inaugural tournament is contested over 72 holes, with each round comprising 18 holes. Team and individual honors are awarded, with the team score composed of the top three scorers per team.
Representing the Blue and White in the Men’s Tournament were Glenn Unabia, Schmuel Tan, Gian De Castro, and Juan Escano. Meanwhile, the quartet of Monique Mendoza, Simi Tinio, Andie Joson, and Renee Heredia took on the Blue Eagle banner for the Women’s Tournament.
Men’s Tournament
Setting the tone for the Blue and White was Unabia, being the first to tee off for the Blue and White. The Atenean led the way by the end of the round, garnering a score of 76—four above the course’s par—and sharing fifth place with De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Miguel Fusilero.
Following Unabia was Tan, who navigated the tricky layout with a score of 84 by the end of the first 18 holes. De Castro followed suit, but had some struggles in the fairway, accruing a couple of bogeys that resulted in an individual score of 89.
Escano then rounded out the Katipunan-based contingent after delivering an 80-stroke round, providing Ateneo with a day 1 team score of 240. This places them in third place at the end of the first 18, behind DLSU and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who are on 223 and 226 points, respectively.
Women’s Tournament
Following a long day on the fairways, Mendoza seized the early lead for the Loyola Heights-based squad. The Assumption College – Makati alumna carded a solid 81, highlighted by clutch birdies on the 12th and 16th holes. This late-round surge allowed Mendoza to edge out Fighting Maroon Annika Gozum by a single stroke in the women’s individual competition.
Tinio also turned in a score of 88 for the effort, while Joson completed her first foray with a 94. The Loyola Heights-based duo’s steady play was good enough for fifth and seventh place, respectively. Rounding out the roster, Heredia grazed triple-digit territory, concluding her first stint with a score of 101 to secure a tenth-place standing overall.
With these results, the Blue Eagles occupy first place in the team standings of the Women’s Division with a 263-stroke performance. Trailing by two is DLSU, who tallied a 265 scoreline.
With more action to be seen in the fairway, the Blue and White seek to further solidify their places in the second leg of the tournament tomorrow, 7:00 AM at the same venue.
Current Standings (Men’s):
- DLSU Men’s Golf Team – 223 (+7)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 226 (+9)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 240 (+24)
- UST Men’s Golf Team – 261 (+45)
- AdU Soaring Falcons – 370 (+154)
Current Standings (Women’s):
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 263 (+47)
- DLSU Women’s Golf Team – 265 (+49)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 288 (+72)
- UST Women’s Golf Team – 308 (+92)
- AdU Lady Falcons – 365 (+149)
