Mendoza, Mapua top Mercedes Trophy

MANILA, Philippines - Marco Mendoza fired an 80 while Victor Mapua turned in an 81 as they shared top honors in the 2016 MercedesTrophy Golf Invitational at the Sta. Elena Golf Club recently and gained berths in the MercedesTrophy Asian Finals in Australia.

Mendoza, a 10-handicapper, hit three birdies and went on to shoot an 80 worth 39 points under the Stableford scoring system, edging Danilo Roleda, who gunned down two birdies for a 79 also worth 39 points, for the Class A crown.

On the other hand, Mapua, with a 17 handicap, made an 81 and defeated John Nip Cua by two for the Class B title in the 18-hole tournament exclusive for Mercedes-Benz owners. Cua made an 83 worth 42 points.

Joseph Sy, a 23-handicapper, took the Class C crown as he carded a 93 for 38 points, nipping Benjamin Yam, who also shot a 93 worth 37 points, in the countback while Myra Capparos scored a 107 worth 81 points under System 36 to capture the ladies crown.

The blue-ribbon event was backed by major sponsors Shell Helix Ultra, TW Steel, Makati Shangri-La, QBE Seaboard Insurance and PLDT Alpha and supported by Philippine Airlines, Security Bank, Canon, Asia Brewery, Johnnie Walker and BusinessMirror.

The three division winners, along with their respective runners-up and the lone lady champion will thus represent the Philippines in the MercedesTrophy Asian Finals set Aug. 9-12 in Brisbane with accommodations at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.

The Philippine representatives, who will fly Down Under aboard Philippine Airlines, will slug it out with the top winners in the other exclusive series of invitational tournaments conducted in the region for Mercedes-Benz owners.