CCC shocks favorites with 3-point lead

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon, Philippines – Cebu Country Club pulled a major surprise on the opening round of the 64th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub Golf Tournament by taking the lead in the premiere Championship division of the event at the Del Monte Golf Club here.

Cebu shot a total of 136 points and is three ahead of host Del Monte and four up over pre-tournament favorite Canlubang.

Veteran Carl Almario powered Cebu with an opening round of two-under-par 38 points in Stableford or PAL Points System and got ample support from 16-year-old Gio Gandionco and Mark Dy, who each submitted 35 while last to count was Lloyd Jefferson ‘LJ’ Go with 28. The 27 submitted by Joseph Stevens did not count for the team total.

The tournament allows a team to field a maximum of five, but not less than four players per round. Only the four best scores for the day would count for the team total.

For the Cebuanos, playing in soggy conditions at home for the past few months helped.

“The conditions were very much like Cebu and we’ve been playing in such the past three months,” skipper Ramontito Garcia told The Freeman.

Garcia said that the team had set realistic targets and it was a surprise to have gone to the top at the start of the tournament.

Canlubang, the defending champion, has been regarded as a favorite to run away with the title.

Garcia also said that he has a very balanced team. Set to see action in today’s second round to be played at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City are Stevens, Bayani Garcia, Jovi Neri, Marko Sarmiento, and Eric Deen.

Del Monte was led by Banny Abaño, who also made 38 points while the others who counted were Mel Cubillo (34), Julius Bautista (31), and either of the 30s submitted by Mark Mondilla and Magno Arancon, Jr.

Canlubang was led by Bukidnon native Art Arbole, who also made 38 points. Paul Echavez had 36 while Abe Rosal made 32 and last to count was Gabriel Manotoc with 26. Rupert Zaragosa turned in 24 points, which did not count.

Manila Southwoods runs fourth with 117 points courtesy of Jun Plana 36, Steeve Yoon 32, Vince Lauron 27, and either of the 22s of Joseph Tambunting and Thirdy Escaño.

Alta Vista Golf and Country Club of Cebu is 5th with 101 points. Gabriel Yap, Jr. led the team with 29 points and was backed by teenager David Park with 25, team captain Victor Gocela with 23, and Jun Suan with 22. Sixteen-year-old Dominic Espinoza, who is playing in the big leagues for the first time, shot 17 points, which did not count.

There are 15 teams in the Championship class.

Founders

Wack-Wack paces this second-ranked category with 131 points and is followed by Alabang with 125, Villamor 122, Riviera 122, Orchard 119, Negros 116, and Mactan Island Golf Club 115.

Ronnie Sarigumba had a big day for Mactan yesterday scoring four-under-par 40 points at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

The others who counted were Boyet Dizon 26, Wenceslao Romero 25, and Marlo Cugtas 24. The 16 of Kim Agatep did not count.

Friendship

Club Filipino is running fourth in this fourth-ranked division with an opening round of 91 points, nine behind pacesetting UP Tee Jots with 100.

Tied for second are South Cotabato and PGA British Columbia with 94 apiece.

Raymond Garcia and Victor Yuvallos scored 25 points each while Evans Tumaliwan added 24 and last to count was Peter Militante with 17. Abel de Manuel shot 14 points, which did not count.

One point back is Victorias with 90 points.

This year’s competition is backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror and Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW). Major sponsors are People Asia, 105.1 Crossover , GE Aviation 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/events.jsp. You can also check the results at www.palinterclub.com. - THE FREEMAN