Another successful year for the PAL Interclub

Bacolod City – Many teams have already realized the value of the junior golf program to boost their stock in tournaments like the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub.

Among the Cebu teams, Cebu Country club was the first to do this is recent history when it fielded the stars of the jungolf program along with the veterans. This is one reason why the team has won the Founders Division title five times in the past six years.

Cebu Country club is shooting for its sixth title in seven years today.

Alta Vista Golf and Country Club has picked up the cue. The presence of Gio Gandiongco, a 12-year-old seventh grader from PAREF-Springdale, has drawn a lot of interest.

Then there is also Edsel Tan, the 17-year-old high school senior from Cherish School.

Gio and Edsel may just be in their teens, but they already play huge roles for Team Alta Vista.

These boys have many more PAL Interclub tournaments to look forward to and someday I also look forward to seeing them make it big in more national and international competitions.

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With the 61st PAL Interclub set to close today, two Cebu teams are gunning for glory in their respective divisions.

Cebu Country Club, although running second, is still a favorite in the Founders Division.

Montito Garcia, the team captain said yesterday that they are going for it today and would dedicate their game to Tito Choy Sala. Tito Choy, one of the pillars of Cebu Country Club, passed away yesterday morning. 

Alta Vista is four points behind second placed Iloilo in the Sportswriters Division.

I was with the team yesterday at Bacolod Golf and Country Club and skipper Victor Gocela said that they are going for it today.

No matter what happens for Alta Vista today, this will be the best finish of the team in this tournament.

It was six years ago when I was part of the Alta Vista team that saw action in this tournament as the ‘Replacements.’ The team surely has gone a long way from where we were then.

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I’d also like to take this opportunity to thanks the staff of the PAL Corporate Communications Office headed by Rollie Estabillo, who have once again made covering this tournament so much easier.

To Jun Canton, Raul, Pinky, Eya, Tini, and everyone else, thank you very much. These people are among the major reasons why many of us look forward to covering the event every year.

See you in Davao for the 62nd PAL Interclub next year. Many of us have already made plans for that.