Cebu CC tops inaugural Fed Nat’l Team Shootout

Cebu Country Club sizzled at the finish to beat Eastridge and Riviera in a thrilling finale of the inaugural Federation National Team Shootout at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac recently.

CCC pooled a 120 total on a pair of 12-under 60s to annex the crown while Eastridge (64-60) and Riviera (62-62) finished tied at 124 in the event organized by the Federation of Golf Clubs.

The Cebuanos, who showed up their rivals from Forest Hills and Eagle Ridge in the opener, struggled in the second round, needing to scramble to save pars on a couple of holes at the frontside.

But they rebounded strong in the closing holes, gunning down five straight birdies from No. 12. They actually missed completing a sevenbirdie binge with flubbed putts inside seven feet in the last two holes.

“We’re happy to escape with the win because we felt we were too stiff in the second round,” said the Vanderbilt graduate Irina Gabasa, who also drew solid backup from teammates Niño Bascon, Allan Chiongbian and Robin Craze.

The victory also netted the team a golf vacation package to Mission Hills in China plus a complete iron set from Mizuno for each member.

Eastridge submitted a 64 in the opener then closed out with a 60 while Riviera carded back-to-back 62s in the tournament organized by the Federation of Golf Clubs headed by president Ogie Manalo.

A total of 21 from the 34 member clubs in the FedGolf took part in the event with FedGolf overall tournament chairman Jeric Hechanova expecting a bigger cast next year.