By NIMROD NL QUIÑONES
Medellin-based Mercedes Plantation Golf and Country Club and Cebu City’s Alta Vista Golf and Country Club gave Cebuanos a lot of reason to cheer at the start of the 28th Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub in Negros Occidental Thursday.
Mercedes paces the third-ranked Sportswriters Division with an opening day total of 117 points while Alta Vista, is one stroke behind the pacesetter in the second-ranked Founders Division where it also finished as runner-up at home last year.
Cebu Country Club, one of the tournament favorites, also made 128 points, but is running fifth in the premiere Championship Division.
Mactan Island Golf Club, the fourth Cebu team in the tournament for players aged 55 years old and above, is at sixth spot in the Sportswriters category.
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
Luisita holds a one-point lead in the premiere category scoring 144 points. Former pro Eddie Bagtas led the team with two-over-par 52 points in the Molave System. The teams in this group also played at BGC also fondly called as Binitin.
Pepot Iñigo fired 49 points and Seve Roxas Chua had 43 for Luisita. The fourth player in the opening round was Lino Magpantay, whose 37 did not count.
Defending champion Canlubang, which is seeking a fourth straight crown, is one point behind with 143 behind Rolly Viray (51), Dave Hernandez (46), and Tony Olives (46). The fourth player was Saso Mazakazu with 32.
At third is Orchard with 137 points followed by Manila Golf with 129.
Nonoy Tirol led Cebu Country Club with 46 points while the others, who counted for the team total were Koichi Horii with 43 and Kim Yeon Sheok with 39. Ray Gibbs fired 34 points, which did not count.
Jeric Hechanova, general manager of Cebu Country Club and team rookie this year, said that they will field a new group for NOGCC Friday. The team shall be composed of club president Ramontito Garcia, Lor Alaan, Masatsugu Ochiai, and Hechanova.
FOUNDERS DIVISION
Wack-Wack leads the field in what looms to be a very interesting battle for supremacy in this class as only four points separate the top five teams. This group played at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City.
Wack-Wack fired a total of 129 points courtesy of Buddy Velayo (46), Takanobu Taira (43) and Isaac Go (40).
Alta Vista was led by Ed Acain with 46 points while Victor Gocela added 44. Rookie Yasunori Hara fired 38 points and the 33 made by Masahisa Kawakami did not count for the team total.
Skipper Razy Razon told www.fullpointcebu.com that they would retain Acain and Gocela for the action at Bintin Friday and he would be joining them along with Loloy Sabuga. He also noted that the playing conditions at Bacolod Golf Club are harsher than in NOGCC.
Running third with 127 points is Villamor followed by Negros (Marapara) with 126 and tied for fifth are Eagle Ridge and Rancho Palos Verdes with 125 apiece.
SPORTSWRITERS DIVISION
Also playing at the BGC, Mercedes fielded only three players, which is the minimum requirement for the four-to-play, three-to-count requirement for the round.
Ereneo Nuñez led Mercedes with 41 points while Choie Ramos added 39 and Angel Garriel had 37 for a total of 117 points.
Vancouver Golf Association of BC is running second with 109 points followed by Iligan with 107, Sarangani 107, Bacolod 104, and Mactan 98.
Pedrito Buenavista led Mactan with 40 points while Tony Amor and Chandran Rama each added 29 points. The 25 of Pete del Rosario did not count.
This year’s Interclub is 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.
