Host clubs Apo Golf and Rancho Palos Verdes along with Davao City Golf eye on possible title runs this year as the 65th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf tournament tees-off in grand rites today at respective courses.
Their target, the Founders Division title.
Both city-based squads along with Davao City Golf are seeing action in the same division in the scheduled annual tournament which wraps up until Sunday, February 26. Apo Golf, Rancho Palos Verdes and Davao City Golf are in the 15-team roster in the Founder’s class joined by Orchard, Villamor, Alta Vista, Riviera, Sta. Elena, Tagaytay Highlands, Manila Golf, Valley, Philippine Navy, Iloilo, Red Hawk and North Gate.
“I see Orchard will be the toughest team to beat,” said Den-den De Castro who leads Apo Golf’s cast in a bid to reap this year’s title.
De Castro leads Apo Golf’s charge along with Peter Pineda, Alimar Etrone, Toffee Tionko, Jorge Martinez, Kunio Murata, Leo Fusilero, Chickoy Saavedra, Vincent Gumapac and veteran Tibor Marcelino with Billy Parilla as team manager.
Apo Golf will first see action today at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club in nearby Indangan, Mandug, this city.
Palos Verdes, meanwhile parades its cast having Larry Miculob, Ramon Mackay, JP Marfori, Chris Tan, Joel Yamyamin, Kuresh Samanodi, Ninot Galicia, Jong Tan, Paul Garcia and Mark Lopez.
Lanang Golf, the other local club also sees action in the annual tournament playing in the Sportswriters Division in which Camp John Hay leads the 25-team line-up.
On the other hand, Philipine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Bautista led the traditional ceremonial tee-off rites yesterday at the Apo Golf. Joining him were SAVP Mindanao Sales and PAL Interclub Chairman Atty. Domingo Duerme, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte representative City Councilor Jimmy Dureza, Davao City First District Congressman Karlo Nograles, Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club Director Nonoy Llamas and Apo Golf and Country Club President Jimmy Larrabaster.
The platinum sponsors of the 65th PAL Interclub are Mareco Broadcasting Network, Radio High, Stargate Media, Media Five, GE ; while the major backers are Asia Brewery, Business Mirror and Airbus.
Also lending support are the Department of Tourism, Philippine Graphics, Boeing International Corp., Bombo Radyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Moevenpick Resort & Spa Cebu, Plantation Bay, Radisson Blu Hotel and Imperial Palace Waterpark & Spa Cebu.
