BACOLOD – Forest Hills used a 14-point overnight lead as buffer and rode Judeson Eustaquio’s brilliance on Sunday to hold off hard-fighting Villamor and bag the Founders Division title in the 71st PAL Interclub.
Eustaquio, a former US NCAA standout, closed out with a one-over-par 71 for 35 points at tree-lined Binitin in Murcia town to anchor the Antipolo-based squad to a final day 127 that was enough for an eight-point win over Villamor.
Larry Patnongon and Inigo Raymundo accounted for 33 apiece and Forest Hills counted either 26 of Raffy Garcia or Francisco Santana for a 72-hole 460 tally, even as Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club scored a 41-point romp in the Aviator class over Sta. Elena over at Marapara.
Manila Southwoods was the tournament’s biggest winner, nailing a fourth straight Championship Division title also Sunday, just over a month after tournament host PAL was awarded a 4-star rating by Skytrax, the body that rates airlines and airports all over the globe.
“We just fell short,” said Villamor skipper Jun Arceo, who got 33 points from Ricky delos Santos and 37 from Jujith Benedicto in a day-best 135 for 454 overall. “It was a great tournament, nonetheless and our congratulations to Forest Hills for a job well done.”
Chris dela Cruz accounted for 32 and former touring pro Jess Toribio chipped in with 28 for Villamor, which nipped sputtering Wack Wack for second place.
Wack Wack started the day 19 points up on Villamor but managed just 112 built around the 34 of Sammy Sy.