PRESS RELEASE
A three-way fight looms when the 28th Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships kick off on Thursday in two golf courses in Negros Occidental this week.
Defending champion Canlubang is gunning for its fourth straight crown against old rival Luisita Golf Club and darkhorse Cebu Country Club.
All three are parading new recruits to bolster their respective title bids.
Canlubang is bringing in reigning seniors amateur champion while Luisita is tapping former pro Eddie Bagtas. Regular Interclub standout Jeric Hechanova is making his seniors’ debut with Cebu Country Club where he is also the general manager.
For the second straight year, Canlubang will be missing the services of Tommy Manotoc, but will have the likes of Dave Hernandez, Rolly Viray, Mari Hechanova and Tony Olives to carry the torch.
Last year, the Sugar Barons rallied in the final round to edge Luisita by six points.
Aside from Bagtas, Luisita is fielding old hands Francis Gaston, Richie Garcia, Pepot Inigo, Seve Roxas Chua, Lino Magpantay, Bong Sison and Iggy Clavecilla, who is returning into action for the first time in two years.
Team manager Joey Romasanta said Luisita has a good chance of foiling Canlubang’s four-peat bid.
Competing in the Founders’ division last year, CCC ran away with the title, but fell 13 points short of contending for the overall crown.
Aside from Hechanova, other CCC players are club president Montito Garcia, Nonoy Tirol, Masatsugu Ochiai, Koichi Horii, Lor Alaan, Ray Gibbs and Kim Kwang Seok.
The field will be divided into four divisions — Championship, Founders, Sportswriters and Friendship.
Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella and PAL marketing head Rufino Fermin II have been invited to hit the ceremonial balls at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City
Bacolod Golf Club in nearby Murcia, Negros Occidental is the other venue of the four-day event.
This year’s Interclub is being co-sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Corporation and Manila Bulletin.
Other Cebu clubs participating in the seniors’ event are Alta Vista Golf and Country Club and Mactan Island Golf Club.
Alta Vista will be led by skipper Hospicio Razon. The other players for AVGCC, which finished runner-up in the Founders division last year are Ramon Sebastian, Masahisa Kawakami, Ed Acain, Victor Gocela, Loloy Sabuga, and rookies Emir Abutazil, and Yasunori Hara.
