ANGONO, Rizal. – Monique Mendoza dished out a performance that defied both the elements and a compact, 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 here Sunday.
Navigating the par-72 mountain-top layout under unpredictable and testing conditions – alternating between searing sunshine and sudden downpours – Mendoza kept her composure through a virtual survival test. Play was suspended for nearly two hours due to a lightning threat, halting momentum and demanding both mental and physical recalibration from the field.
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 were 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.”
She credited her short game as a key factor in the victory. “My putting also clicked,” she said. “But more than anything, the key was maintaining a strong mindset throughout, despite the challenging weather and tough conditions.”
Asked what helped her seal the win, Mendoza shared: “You just have to stay focused on what’s ahead and keep playing your game.”
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.
Riding high on their sweep of both individual and team honors, Mendoza remains determined. “We just have to keep pushing forward and hold on to the belief that we can win in the finals,” she said.
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.
