North golfers whip South rivals

STA. ROSA, Laguna— Team North whipped South in singles play, 8 1/2-3 1/2, to repeat as The Duel-North vs South champions at Sta. Elena Golf Club here Saturday.

The Northerners took five of the first seven matches while squaring off in one to all but rule their sixth face-off, 14 1/2-9 1/2, in the country’s version of the Ryder Cup.

North’s strong start likewise turned what was expected to be a down-to-the-wire finish into a runaway triumph after South forced a tie at 6 points after fighting back, 4-2, in foursomes Thursday.

“It’s a question of making the right matchups and they did well,” said North coach Cookie La’O, whose wards also beat Team South by three at John Hay in 2017. “It’s a job well done.”