Young guns

Davao City, Philippines – When I first covered the Philippine Airlines Interclub in 1994, the two Cebu teams that saw action in the tournament – Cebu Country Club and Club Filipino, were manned by players in their mid 20s and older.

As the years passed and as more Cebu teams joined the event, the teams were still mainly manned by the top players of the club and junior golfers did not have a place in the team.

With the teams from other parts of the country introducing much younger players in their rosters, the Cebu teams also followed suit.

Junior golfers have become an integral part of the club teams especially those that are building up for future tournaments.

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Alta Vista Golf and Country Club is one of the teams with a very young average age. Skipper Victor Gocela has tapped many of the young guns of the club not only to help build their confidence and skills, but at many instances to also rely on them for the points needed to win.

If you multiply by two the total age of PAL Interclub rookies Wei-Wei Gao and Sircross Abarintos, it would still be younger than the age of one of the members of the Alta Vista team. 

Gen Nagai, Gio Gandionco and LJ Go are all teenagers, but they are not anymore players that Cebu Country Club is breaking into the big league, but are relied upon to deliver the points when needed.

Let me go back to where I started this column. I used to refer to some players of the men’s tournament, not only the seniors’ event, as Tito. Now we have these youngsters calling me Tito and the way they play make me feel old.

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The competition in the PAL Interclub has become more interesting with more young players joining the professional ranks.

We used to read only of Canlubang and Luisita ruling the Championship Division of the Interclub. Those days are long gone aside from the fact that these two dominant powers are not seeing action in the men’s regular tournament.

Even Cebu Country Club has figured prominently in the premiere category of the tournament years after it reigned supreme in the second-ranked Founders Division.

Del Monte has also emerged as another favorite. In fact, Del Monte, which used to always be battling for third or fourth place, now has a few overall titles under its belt.

At 65 years old, the PAL Interclub remains to be evolving. I believe this is the reason why the tournament has lasted this long and continues to remain strong.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to Tonypet Ouano and my Tao sister Gen-gen Tabada, who are turning a year older today.

Advance greetings go to the president of PMA Sambisig class of 1991, Lt. Col. Richard Ruffy. The same goes to Marilee Estampador, Zyra Dee Ramos, and Butch Guillen.

More power to all of you!