Southwoods all geared up

MANILA, Philippines — Foiled in its five-peat bid the last time out, Manila Southwoods seeks to launch another PAL Interclub streak with a souped-up roster when the 73rd staging of the country’s longest running amateur golf team championship is fired off next month in Bacolod.

“For us, it’s like we’re starting over again,” said Southwoods non-playing skipper Thirdy Escaño. “Our players know what we missed last year. All credit to Cebu (Country Club) but we’re going all-out to get the first of another streak.”

The Cebuanos stopped the Carmona-based golfers’ domination by snaring the centerpiece Championship Division crown while playing in the lower-ranked Founders side at home last year.

But with Japanese hotshot Yuto Katsuragawa back in the fold and former pro Vince Lauron also returning to provide the experience and poise, Southwoods expects no less than an imposing campaign starting March 4 at the Bacolod Country Club and Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.