64th PAL Interclub opens Feb. 16 in Cagayan de Oro

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub, the country’s longest running and most prestigious amateur golf tournament, goes to Northern Mindanao for just the fourth time in its 64-year history when Cagayan de Oro hosts the annual event from Feb. 16 to 26.

A record field of 167 teams are taking part, 12 more than the previous high of 155 teams set last year in Bacolod.

Dubbed “The Heat Is On,” the nearly two-week long event begins Feb.16 with the Seniors Interclub where 89 clubs are entered, led by defending champion Luisita.

The field includes eight new entrants from overseas – Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver, Guam, Saipanand Tokyo.

Nearly half of the field are made up of foreign-based squads, underscoring the growing popularity of the tournament among players 55 years old and above.

Luisita is expected to field the same crew that ended Canlubang’s four-year reign last year.

After a two-day break, the regular Interclub event takes place from Feb. 23 to 26. 

At least 78 teams – three more than last year – have signed up for the event that draws the country’s top amateur golfers.

Among them are 31 international teams, including newcomers from Reno/Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Los Angeles; Dubai; Tokyo andNagoya.  Reinstated teams from Sydney, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. will make a comeback.

Multi-titled Canlubang is returning to defend its title against The Country Club, last year’s runner-up, and former champions Manila Southwoods and Del Monte, which stunned the tournament with an audacious breakout triumph in 2004. 

The 64^th PAL Interclub will be jointly played on the region’s two premier golf courses – Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in the hills above Cagayan de Oro City and Del Monte Golf Club, set in the vast pineapple plantation in the municipality of Manolo Fortichin Bukidnon province.

This year’s competition is backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror and Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW).

The major sponsors are People Asia, 105.1 Crossover and Traversing the Orient.

Also lending support are corporate sponsor Manila Bulletin and Bombo Radyo Philippines, while minor sponsors are Lufthansa Technik Philippines, MasterCard and Century Park Hotel.

Prize donors include Panasonic Avionics and Tanduay.

More detailed information on the tournament is available on the dedicated PAL Interclub webpage at www.philippineairlines.com/events.(PR)

Agojo seizes 3-pt lead over Davao's Ikeda, Ababa

Jayvie Agojo, still in search of a first win on her comeback trail, fired 56 points under the Molave scoring system and wrested a three-point lead over reigning Philippine Ladies Amateur Open champion Chihiro Ikeda and Sarah Ababa at the start of the Southern Ladies golf tournament at the Binitin course of the Bacolod Golf and Country Club.

Agojo knocked down three birdies inside eight feet on Nos. 1, 2 and 18 to negate a three-putt bogey mishap on No. 3 as she showed up Ikeda and Ababa with a solid two-under par 68 in stroke play to pace the 54-hole tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

“I'm happy to be in the lead. I haven't been winning lately so I hope to keep this up in the next two days,” said Agojo, who swept three major titles, including the Philippine Ladies Open, to highlight a banner year in 2005.

But the former Pepperdine University standout, trying to nail the big one coming off a long layoff due to motherhood, knows it will take a lot of hard work and solid shot-making in the next 36 holes to pocket her dream victory.

“I just have to maintain a one- or two-under card to win here. But it will be tough, it was kind of easy today because the wind hardly blew,” said Agojo, who also won this event and the DHL Open title in 2005.

There are also a slew of rivals to thwart off.

Ikeda, for one, is tipped to bounce back after a one-over 71 opener worth 53 points, the same output put in by reigning Malaysian Junior Open champion Ababa while Andie Unson, the low amateur in last week's The Country Club Invitational, carded a two-over 72 and stood four points behind with 52 in a tie with Lovelynn Guioguio.

Dottie Ardina, who nipped Ikeda with a final hole birdie to win last year's crown in Iloilo, groped for form despite the absence of the wind at the tree-lined, par-70 layout, hobbling with 50 points, four-over par 74 in stroke play in the tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Kaiser International, Directories Phils. Corp (DPC) Yellow Pages, Hans Brumann Jeweler, WWWExpress, DHL Express and Business Inn, the official hotel.

Sunshine Baraquiel also scored 50 points while Kristine Leonen and Pamela Mariano turned in identical 48 points. Cara Golez had 47 points and Eva Minoza and Gaby Monfort carded a 46 and a 42, respectively.

Meanwhile, Arianne Salvador paced Class B with 44 points while Ana Luisa Mendoza shot 37 points to lead in Class C.PR

3-way battle looms as So Ladies fires off

Andie Unson tries to foil the highly anticipated Dottie Ardina-Chihiro Ikeda showdown as she joins the title hunt in the Southern Ladies golf tournament which beginsThursday, Feb. 3 at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia, Bacolod.
Her confidence boosted by her victory in the last week’s The Country Club Invitational where she emerged the low amateur, Unson, 16, hopes to re-display her top form and play a more mature game in a bid to keep her win run going early in the season.
But the recent winner of the Philippine International Junior Golf crown will be facing a pair of aces out to redeem themselves from their failed bid at TCC with Ardina seeking a second straight championship in the 54-hole tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.
Ardina hit a birdie on final hole to nip Ikeda in a thrilling title duel last year in Iloilo with another down-to-the-wire finish again expected with Ikeda raring to get back at her tormentor and likewise add the crown to her Philippine Ladies Open diadem last month.
But focus will be on Unson, who hopes to compensate her drawback to Ardina and Ikeda off the tee with a solid iron game and steady putting over the tight, rolling fairways that require accurate iron shots.
“While premium is on driving on this course, I think Andie has a big chance because her ball striking is solid and she is playing with a lot of confidence and putts well,” said ICTSI golf team and national women’s team coach Bong Lopez.
The 48th staging of the annual event was launched yesterday through the traditional 18-hole Lam-Am tournament with Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia, Philippine Olympic Committee chair Monico Puentevella, NGAP sec-gen Edgar Arceo Jr., NGAP auditor and NGAP ladies committee head Alice Andrada and Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano, and Leandro Lopez Montelibano, treasurer of the host club, hitting the ceremonial drives.
Also on tap are the 36-hole team competition and the seniors division to be played under the Stableford scoring system (net of handicap).
The centerpiece event will be disputed under the Molave scoring format with Jayvie Agojo also fancied to contend for the crown in the tournament backed by the PSC, Kaiser International, Directories Phils. Corp (DPC) Yellow Pages, Hans Brumann Jeweler, WWWExpress, DHL Express and Business Inn, the official hotel.
Agojo, the former Phl Ladies Open winner, is trying to make a comeback to big-time golf after a long absence, falling short to nail her first victory with a runner-up finish in the recent China Amateur Open.
Also in the roster are veteran campaigner Lovelynn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa and Sunshine Baraquiel of the ICTSI golf squad and the leading players from Alabang, Tagaytay Highlands, Orchard, Aguinaldo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Valley, Pueblo de Oro, Villamor and Riviera.(pr)

So Ladies golf listup ends Monday

Registration for the Southern Ladies golf tournament ends on Monday, Jan. 31 with a full roster, led by members of the national pool and the leading players from the country’s top golf clubs, expected to vie in the Feb. 3-5 event at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Bacolod.

Fee is pegged at P2,500, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. For details, contact NGAP at (02) 5179778, fax (02) 706-5926, 0917-560-7074 (Susan Facundo) or email at ngapgolf@hotmail.com or visit NGAP website atwww.ngaponline.net.

Listup is also open at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club at (034) 4730179 or fax (034) 4461794 or contact Stella at 0915-2079149 or 0918-9246771 or email stelgon2005@yahoo.com.

Events on tap are the individual (to be played under the Molave scoring system over 54 holes), team competition and the seniors division with the LAM-Am and practice round set Wednesday (Feb.  2).

The 36-hole seniors competition and team event, a four-to-play, three-to-count format, will be played in the first two days using the Stableford scoring system (net of handicap).

Backing the event are the Philippine Sports Commission, Kaiser International, Directories Phils. Corp (DPC) Yellow Pages, Hans Brumann Jeweler, WWWExpress, DHL Express and Business Inn, the official hotel.

Dottie Ardina seeks a second straight crown in the 48th staging of the event but the US-based ICTSI scholar, who nipped teammate Chihiro Ikeda with a final hole birdie at Iloilo last year, will have a horde of challengers out to foil her bid.

The rest of the ICTSI-backed bets are also in the fold, headed by Andie Unson, winner of the recent Philippine International Junior Golf Championships, and Jayvie Agojo, the former Phl Ladies Open champion, Lovelynn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa of Davao and Sunshine Baraquiel and the campaigners from Alabang, Tagaytay Highlands, Orchard, Aguinaldo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Valley, Pueblo de Oro, Villamor and Riviera.(pr)

Davao's Lascuna outguns Bacolod's Pagunsan to wrest control

Dabawenyo Tony Lascuna outsteadied Juvic Pagunsan of Bacolod and fellow Dabawenyo Ferdie Aunzo in their backside duel, ramming in two birdies and coming up with a couple of gutsy pars to shoot a one-under 69 and snatch a three-stroke lead in another topsy turvy day in the third round of The Country Club Invitational at the wind-raked TCC course in Laguna, Saturday. Lascuna birdied the long, tough par-4 10 to break out of a five-way logjam,came through with a slew of pars while his co-leaders got swept by the gusts then hit another birdie on No.16 to pull away from the star-studded field with a 36-33 card. That moved the dusky Davaoeno shotmaker 18 holes away from winning his second TCC crown with a 212, including a tournament-best 68 Friday that put him in a five-way tie with Pagunsan, Aunzo, Angelo Que and Marvin Dumandan. But his amazing backside performance, where he bucked the blustery wind with a solid shotmaking and steady iron game, virtually took the fight out of his erstwhile co-leaders, who faded out one after another and limped home with over par rounds in the toughest yet day of the tournament. With his two-over aggregate, Lascuna, winner of the 2005 edition of the P4.7 million event, pooled a 54-hole total of two-over 212, stood three shots clear of Que, the defending champion, who, in a flight ahead with Marvin Dumandan and Andrea Unson, regained a one-stroke lead at the turn with a 35 only to reel back with three bogeys in the last three holes in demanding condition. He wound up with a second straight 72 for a 215. Pagunsan, a two-time winner here like Que, stayed in joint second with a birdie on the par-3 17th but dropped to joint third at 216 with a bogey on the difficult par-4 finishing hole. Others with six-over totals were Frankie Minoza, who carded a 71, and Marvin Dumandan, one of the co-leaders halfway through the event put up by ICTSI chief Ricky Razon for the men of the tour but dropped out of the lead with a 73. Ferdie Aunzo, the other co-leader in the second round, tumbled down with a closing 40 and a 77, dropping into a tie with Omar Dungca, who made a 71, at 220. "Medyo sinuwerte lang at pumasok ang mga putts sa back nine (I just got lucky, my putts went in at the back)," said Lascuna, trying to match Que and Pagunsan's two victories in what has become the country's major golfing event. When asked what score would it take for him to wrap up the crown, Lascuna said an even par would do given the prevailing condition at the challenging layout. But with three of the most feared players chasing him, Lascuna would need a lower score to ensure the victory in the tournament also serving as the kickoff leg of this year's ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour. Aunzo and Dumandan were virtually out of the title race at 220, and so do the likes of Benjie Magada and Elmer Salvador, who both had 221s after a 70 and a 75, respectively. Unson, meanwhile, zeroed in on the low amateur honors despite a 77 as she pooled a 222,five ahead of Lovelynn Guioguio, who had a 227 after a 79.(pr)

Lascuna, 3 others catch Que at helm

LAUNCH.Golf patron Ricky Razon (center), chairman and CEO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., congratulates Jay Bayron, winner of last year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit crown during the launch of the circuit’s new season at The Country Club Invitational Wednesday. Also in photo are the other leg winners (from left) Dabawenyos Elmer Salvador and Cassius Casas, TCC Invitational defending champion Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, another Dabawenyo Marvin Dumandan, Mars Pucay and Benjie Magada.

Lascuna, 3 others catch Que at helm

Tony Lascuna leaned on a fiery stint at the tough backside of The Country Club to fire a two-under 68 and force a five-way tie with first day leader Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, Ferdie Aunzo and Marvin Dumandan halfway through the P4.7 million TCC Invitational in Laguna, Thursday.

Lascuna, chasing his second title in the annual event, birdied the last three holes at the back, including the challenging par-4 18th, for a 32 as he wheeled back into contention after hobbling with a five-over 75 in the first round.

But it took Lascuna a birdie on the par-4 No. 5 to gain a piece of the lead at 143 as Que stumbled with a 72 while Pagunsan, Aunzo and Dumandan fought their way back with 69 and 70, respectively, for cracks at the first ever crown in the tournament put up by ICTSI chief Ricky Razon.

This marked the first time in nine years that a crowded leaderboard emerged after 36 holes of the tournament, hinting at wild, wild race for the top P1.4 million purse.

The five took a two-stroke lead over Frankie Minoza, who blew a one-under card at the back with a 73 for a 145, while Elmer Salvador stayed in the hunt at 146 after a 74 as the rest of the field continued to struggle under demanding conditions.

But no lead is safe at the TCC layout with the wind expected to further in the weekend play of the tournament, serving as the kickoff leg of the 2011 ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.

Que, who opened with a one-shot lead over Frankie Minoza, Elmer Salvador and Omar Dungca in the first round, tumbled down after making three bogeys in a birdie-less stint at the back. But the defending champion picked himself up at the front with a birdie on No. 5 while parring the rest of the holes to salvage a two-over card.

Like Lascuna, Dumandan sizzled at the backside with a 33 but the three-time leg winner in last year’s circuit lost his touch at the front with two bogeys and missed the chance to grab the solo lead.

Aunzo, meanwhile, shot the tournament’s first bogey-free round, a one-under 69 he spiked with a birdie on the par-3 No. 17, putting himself in contention for the season’ first golfing jewel.

Pagunsan also bounced back from a so-so opening of 75 as the two-time champion strung up a pair of 34s to match Lascuna’s 68 and make it a five-way logjam heading into the final 36 holes.

Andrea Unson, winner of the recent Philippine International Junior Golf Championships, surged ahead in the amateur side with a 72, tying Minoza in sixth and posting a three-shot lead over ICTSI teammate Dottie Ardina, who had a 71, and erstwhile co-leader Lovelynn Guioguio, who skied to a 77, who both had 148s in a tie with pro Jun Bernis, had a 73.

Dungca stood a shot farther back at 149 after a 77 in a tie with Michael Bibat, who made a 76, while Artemio Murakami, winner in 2009, turned in a second straight 75 for a 150 for joint 14th with Orlan Sumcad, had a 72.pr

PAGUNSAN

DUMANDAN

LASCUNA

Top guns begin quest in P4.9M TCC Invit’l

An elite 36-player field, featuring the cream of the country’s pro crop, sets out in the rich The Country Club Invitational beginning Thursday, Jan. 27, each one raring to put on low scores on a tough TCC course that requires accuracy and mental toughness.
The last two results of the annual P4.7 million event ended in lopsided fashions with Angelo Que beating Juvic Pagunsan by five strokes last year and Artemio Murakami romping off with a record 13-shot rout over Que in 2009.
But this week’s battle for the top P1.4 million purse is tipped to go down to the last putt or perhaps wind up the way it did in 2006 when Pagunsan, a Bacolod native, nipped Frankie Minoza of Bukindon in a playoff.
For one, Que and Pagunsan will be the men on a mission, each seeking to become the first player to score three wins in what has become the country’s golfing major in terms of prize money and participation.
Murakami and former winners Tony Lascuna and Cassius Casas of Davao and Jerome Delariarte are also raring to score a repeat while Minoza and the rest of the field are going flat out to nail the big one.
That should make the first two rounds doubly interesting with the big guns, save for one or two, avoiding an early clash of will and shotmaking skills by landing in separate flights.
Que, who also ruled the 2007 staging of the annual event sponsored by golf patron and ICTSI chief Ricky Razon, is paired with Danny Zarate and fellow former Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales in the 8:40 a.m. flight on No. 1.
Pagunsan, who also won in 2008, tees off next at 8:50 a.m., hoping to get going against Gene Bondoc and Ruben Sasutil while Murakami opens his bid at the back in the company of Richard Sinfuego and Albin Engino at 8:35 a.m.
Minoza, whose presence in the event has become an inspiration to the young talents, drew Lascuna and Ebarra Quiachon in the 8:30 a.m. flight, just ahead of Que and Pagunsan’s groups.
Others in the hunt are Dabawenyos Jay Bayron, who won last year’s Order of Merit crown, Marvin Dumandan, the winningest player on the tour last year with three victories and Elmer Salvador,  Mars Pucay,Benjie Magada and Antonio Asistio II.
No less than a strong start is expected from this talent-laden cast, each out to build confidence and momentum heading into the weekend play of the 72-hole championship, which also serves as the kickoff leg of this year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.
Meanwhile, this year’s circuit was launched during yesterday’s traditional pro-am tournament which featured a select group of pros and a banner roster of players from the business sector and other fields, headed by Razon.
The second placer will receive P690,000 while the third, fourth and fifth finishers will get P430,000, P310,000 and P230,000, respectively.
Also fighting for top honors are the country’s leading amateurs, headed by Asian Games silver medalist Miguel Tabuena, who also clinched a spot in this year’s Asian Tour recently.
Others in the fold are former Hong Kong Am Open winner Dante Becierra, Fil-Am Carl Santos-Ocampo, Jerson Balasabas, Jobim Carlos and reigning Philippine Ladies Open winner Chihiro Ikeda of Davao and many-time Junior World champion Dottie Ardina.(pr)