Eastridge bet Rodel Mangulabnan made history at the National Tournament of Club Champions (NTCC) presented by the Philippine Golf Foundation when he edged club bet Abe Aveña, 2&1, in a thrilling final on Sunday to capture the senior’s division crown at Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas.
Mangulabnan tortured his opponent with a superb short game off the very short white tees, gunning down six birdies through the 17 holes.
Mangulabnan became the first player in the history of the event to win the seniors’ and men’s divisions of the tournament organized by Inquirer Golf with Sta. Lucia Land, Callaway/JDBL, Inc.Puma/Cobra/J-Ten Sports, Srixon/Tee One, Inc. and Active Group as major sponsors.
Mangulabnan was men’s division winner in 2009 and 2012.
Top-seeded Matet Salivio of Aguinaldo won her second ladies’ crown in three years, outclassing Christine Naidoo of Manila Southwoods 5&4.
Marco Olives of Canlubang completed the winners’ circle by edging Edsel Opulencia of Summit Point 2&1 for the men’s division crown.
Mangulabnan made his short game work to frustrate Aveña, who missed about four crucial putts that could have altered the complexion of the match.
At the par-5 ninth for instance, Aveña reached the green in two and to within four feet of the flag. Needing to lay up from the right rough, Mangulabnan countered with a fantastic pitch from 80 yards to within gimme distance for birdie and Aveña failed to win the hole when he missed his eagle try.
On the next hole, Aveña again set himself up for an short birdie putt and looked poised to draw even when Mangulabnan missed the green. But the latter again pitched to within two feet for a sure par and halved the hole as Aveña missed his putt.
A chip-in birdie from 30 yards on the 15th proved to be the turning point in Olives’ match as he went 1 up. He took a two-hole lead with a par on the next hole and secured the victory despite a bogey on the 17th as Opulencia failed to return a three-footer for par.