Ronnie Racuya Wins Match Play

Gutsy in face of stiff competition - that is what can be described of Samantha Lopez-Edwards after losing to Ronnie Racuya on the last hole of finals of the Match Play Championships at Great Rock.

"She is a very tough competitor. (She) cannot be easily intimidated by anyone," said Ian Loleng while monitoring the whole match from his Manhattan office through text messaging courtesy of club president George Javier and director Jojo Tan, who played with the duo to witness the event and send real-time pictures through Javier's iPhone.

It was a see-saw battle from the get-go with the score all square after the 17th hole. Both players hit a nice drive down the stretch of the par-5 18th hole. Lopez-Edwards layed-up and Racuya unleashed a monster approach shot form 220 yards to hit the green in two and a chance to eagle the hole. Lopez-Edwards meanwhile dunked her third shot into the water hazard, where upon she conceded the hole and the match.

The path to the finals was not a walk in the park for both players. Racuya had quarterfinals match with 2008 POY Elmer Carido and face 2-time POY Joe Barreno in the semis, whilst Lopez-Edwards had it tough against power hitting Frank Asante-Kissi and Noel Blumenau. RESULTS

Body language says it all. Lopez-Edwards misses her putt on the 14th to give Racuya a 1 up lead in their match play finals at Great Rock. Photo by G. Javier.