Swinging for Pride: Engineers Tee Off in Inaugural “Marooned on the Green” Golf Meet

STA. ROSA, LAGUNA – July 30, 2025 — The early morning mist over The Country Club in Sta. Rosa gave way to a bright sky as alumni from two of the country’s most prestigious engineering schools converged, not in classrooms or boardrooms, but on the fairways. What unfolded was the inaugural “Marooned on the Green” Golf Meet, a celebration of school pride, camaraderie, and spirited competition between University of the Philippines (UP) and De La Salle University (DLSU) alumni engineers.

Billed as more than just a sporting event, the tournament symbolized the enduring connection between graduates who, despite professional paths that have long diverged, remain bound by shared experiences, rival school colors, and a drive for excellence.

And what a contest it was.

By the narrowest of margins, 706 to 700 Stableford net points, the DLSU Engineering alumni emerged victorious over their UP counterparts, edging out the Maroons with performances as consistent as they were competitive. The format? The best 15 players from each side, battling through wind-swept terrain, undulating greens, and their nerves.

Standout performances added color to the already vibrant event. Ronnie Littaua of DLSU earned Best Gross with a masterful 76, while his fellow Archer, Jeoffrey Sosinco, stunned the crowd with a hole-in-one on Hole 6, finishing with a net score of 67, earning him Best Net honors.

Before the first tee-off, the crowd warmly welcomed the tournament’s driving forces. Representing UP were Engr. Manfred Guangco, President of the UP Alumni Engineers and a Distinguished Metallurgical Engineer, and Engr. Romy Nones, former Vice President of the UP Alumni Association and Tournament Vice Chair, both embodying the spirit of leadership and competition. “Give it up for the pride of Diliman! The green might be foreign terrain, but we all know UP excels in any field,” the announcer declared to resounding applause.

On the DLSU side, the stage belonged to Engr. Manny Tordesillas, TCC Host, Tournament Director, and Chairperson, lauded as a Lasallian innovator and back-nine strategist, and Engr. Noel Tanglao, President of the DLSAA Engineering Chapter, known as an engineering expert by day and a fairway slayer on weekends. Their leadership, paired with the guidance of DLSAA Immediate Past President Prof. Randy Nonato, who graciously served as host, set the tone for the day’s success.

But beyond the numbers and trophies, what stood out most was the spirit of unity. The tournament, co-organized by the UP Alumni Engineers (UPAE) and the DLSU Engineering Alumni Association, was not just a rivalry but a reunion, a space where laughter echoed louder than drives, where old friends reconnected, and new ones were made over shared carts and shared memories.

Indeed, with its successful debut, “Marooned on the Green” is poised to become a lasting tradition, an annual reminder that while competition can drive excellence, friendship and fellowship truly define greatness.

As the sun set over Sta. Rosa and the final putts fell, there was no losing side, only a shared legacy and the promise of another tee-off, handshake, and round in the spirit of unity.

Animo La Salle! UP Fight!