Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines – With the victory of Del Monte already imminent going into the final round of competition of the 64th Philippine Airlines Interclub yesterday, focus shifted to the battle for second place that saw Cebu Country Club slip past the much-hyped Canlubang Country Club via a tie break.
Del Monte amassed a total of 553 points on rounds of 133, 141, 138 and 141 to run away with the title. This is the second time that the team based in the town of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon has nailed the crown. The teams in the premiere class played at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club yesterday.
Cebu Country Club and Canlubang both turned in 535 points, but the Cebuanos had a better fifth man in this five-to-play, four-to-count format to take second place.
Cebu fired rounds of 136, 133, 131, and 135. Carl Almario once again towed the Cebuanos by shooting one-under-par 37 points in the Stableford or PAL Points System. The others who counted for the team total were Bayani Garcia 34, Jovi Neri 32, and Charles Hong 32.
The 30 of Marko Sarmiento that was highlighted by three straight birdies from the 16th to the 18th holes, did not count for the team total, but was more than enough to lift the team to second place.
Canlubang had rounds of 132, 141, 127 and 135 with Dave Hernandez leading yesterday’s scorers with 37 points. Also counting were 13-year-old Rupert Zaragosa with 35, Jobim Carlos 34, and Carlos Miguel Ochoa with 29. Their fifth player was veteran Rolly Viray with 28.
Del Monte’s final round was led by Noel Langamin with 37 and he was backed by Leonardo Lofranco with 36, Vince Lusterio 35, and Clyde Mondilla 33. The 30 of Ramon Velez did not count.
The other members of this year’s team of Cebu Country Club skippered by Montito Garcia are Eric Deen, Joseph Stevens, Mark Dy, 15-year-old Gio Gandionco, and 16-year-old Lloyd Jefferson Go.
Manila Southwoods wrapped up fourth place with a total of 496 on rounds of 117, 122, 126, and 131.
Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, which got bracketed in the Championship division due to a technicality, finished a strong fifth with 436 points on rounds of 102, 109, 111, and 114.
Edsel Tan led AVGCC yesterday with 33 points and was backed by Dennis Canoy with 30, Enrico Solon 26, and Emir Abutazil 25. Marvin Mendoza shot 18, which did not count.
Montito Garcia told The Freeman that it was a huge one for their team considering that they beat Canlubang, the defending champion and pre-tournament favorite.
“The boys played very well. It was truly a team effort,” he said.
“We already know what to do next year and this is also very good for our junior golf program,” Garcia added.
Founders
Alabang bagged the title of this second-ranked category with a four-day total of 481 points on rounds of 125, 127, 110, and 119.
Second place went to Riviera with 468 (122-110-113-123) while third place went to Orchard with 458 (119-116-116-107).
The teams in this category played at the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.
Mactan Island Golf Club finished way out of the top teams with a total of 414 points on rounds of 115, 94, 88, and 117, but Ronnie Sarigumba’s had a very sterling performance.
Sarigumba, who shot 40 points at Pueblo de Oro during the first round, finished the tournament with an even-par 36 yesterday at Del Monte. The others, who counted during yesterday’s round, were Hubert Calan 31, Marlo Cugtas 25, and Hiroyuki Hasegawa 25. Kim Agatep had 24, which did not count.
Sportswriters
Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club came from behind to bag the title of this third-ranked category in one of the most exciting final round battles of the tournament.
The team based in General Trias, Cavite scored a total of 406 points to edge Zamboanga Golf Club by one. Zamboanga lost two points on the second round due to a team penalty.
Eagle Ridge had rounds of 100, 88, 110, and 108.
Zamboanga took second with 405 points (108-92-99-106). Third place went to erstwhile leader Camp Evangelista of Cagayan de Oro City with 398 (112-101-87-98).
Friendship
PGA British Columbia bagged the tile of this group, which played at Del Monte yesterday, by shooting an aggregate of 359 points on rounds of 94, 82, 93, and 90.
Second place went to UP Tee Jots with 331 (100-75-75-81).
Stanford placed third with 325 points, while taking fourth place is Club Filipino Incorporada de Cebu with 312 points on rounds of 91, 66, 88, and 67. Razy Razon led the team yesterday with 23 points while Shotaro Suda had 19, and both Kenneth Dyguani and Ramon ‘Boboy’ Durano IV had 13 apiece. The 11 of Lito Barino did not count.
This year’s competition was backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror, and Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW).
Major sponsors were People Asia, 105.1 Crossover, GE Aviation, and Traversing the Orient.
Also lending support were corporate sponsors Manila Bulletin and Bombo Radyo Philippines, while minor sponsors were Lufthansa Technik Philippines, MasterCard, and Century Park Hotel.
Prize donors included Panasonic Avionics and Tanduay. Results of the tournament can be viewed at www.palinterclub.com.