Cebu teams shine but Pueblo steals show in PAL Seniors Interclub

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu-based teams figured prominently in the second-ranked Founders Division of the 26th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Seniors Interclub Golf Tournament, which teed off yesterday, but the opening day spotlight shone brightest upon Cagayan de Oro’s Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

Co-host Alta Vista Golf and Country Club is running third in the Founders class with a total of 142 points in the four-to-play, three-to-count format using the Molave Points System.

One point back is Cebu Country Club, which will be a co-host of the men’s tournament next week.

The Molave System awards seven points for a double-eagle, six for a hole-in-one, five for eagle, four for birdie, three for par, two for bogey, and one for double-bogey.

Leading the Founders Division is Manila Golf with a total of 146 points followed by Los Angeles, California-based Redhawk with 145.

Bryan Cockrel led Manila Golf with two-over-par 52 points and was backed by Fausto Preysler with 49 while last to count was either of the 45s submitted by Conkoy Tuason and Arsenic Laurel.

The Championship and Founders Division teams played at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club while the Sportswriters and Friendship Division teams were over at Danao City playing in Club Filipino.

Redhawk fielded only the minimum required three players with Bob Welsh making 50, David Capistrano 49, and Jimmy Velasco 46.

Akira Hatano led Alta Vista with 48 points and also counting were Jun Suan and Ed Acain with 47 apiece.  The 38 of Ramon Sebastian did not count.

Cebu Country Club was led by Masatsugu Ochiai with 49 points while Nonoy Tirol made 48 and Kim Kwang Seok shot 44 points.  George Hong’s 42 did not count.

An interesting battle looms in this division as action moves to Club Filipino Friday.  The Cebu-based teams are seen to seize the lead owing to their familiarity of the course.

Both teams are set to field a different set of players.

Razy Razon, skipper of Alta Vista, said that they are hopeful to do well in Danao.  He has decided to field his players only on one course as their team strategy.

Pueblo’s surprise

While there was so much talk about favorites Canlubang and Luisita, the CDO-based team pulled a major surprise by shooting to the top of the premiere Championship Division after the first round.

Pueblo de Oro was bracketed under the Championship class for adding a player, who was not in the club’s roster of members submitted during the first team captains’ meeting last October.

Cebuano Clifford Celdran, who found his touch on the rather short course, fired one-under-par 55 points to lead the team.  He said that he even three-putted on the tricky par-3 15th or he could have scored even better.

Also counting for Pueblo de Oro was Cebuano Victor Yuvallos with 52 and Ed Yap with 46.  Reny Go’s 38 did not count.

Fancied Luisita scored a total of 147 points in the first day with Chairman Richie Garcia of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) leading the team with even-par 54 points.  Others who counted were Francis Gaston with 47 and Seve Rojas Chua with 46.  The 45 of Miñing Maravilla did not count.

Defending champion Canlubang is two points further back with 145 courtesy of Mari Hechanova 50, Rolly Viray 49, and Rene Unson Jr. 48.  The 42 of Bing Bunye did not count.

This tournament is sponsored by the Department of Tourism, 105.1 Crossover, Solar Sports, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, 92.3 FM Radyo 5, Araneta Coliseum, and AXN.

Major sponsors are Airbus, Manila Broadcasting Corp., Philippine Broadcasting Network, People Asia, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror, and ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Corporate sponsors are Raddisson Blu Hotel, Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boeing, Inquirer Golf Magazine, Philippine Graphic, and Manila Bulletin.

You can also check www.palinterclub.com for updates on the tournament as well as pairings and scoring. Report from fullpointcebu.com (FREEMAN)