PAL Interclub courses offer new challenges

When participants of the 53rd Philippine Airlines Interclub men's championship and the 14th PAL Seniors Interclub play the Del Monte Golf Club and the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club early this month, they will find them entirely new challenges.

For one thing, what is generally considered the country's national team tournament will be going to Cagayan de Oro City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon for the first time ever.

For another, most of the golfers, with the exception of those from Northern Mindanao, will be playing Pueblo de Oro, which opened only in 1998, and Del Monte, which opened in 1928, for the first time.

As one veteran player said when the tournament venues were announced in Davao City last year: "For most of us, it's entirely a new ball game."

"Many of us are familiar with the courses in Davao, Bacolod and Cebu since the PAL Interclub has been played there. But for all of us, with the exception of the locals, Pueblo de Oro and Del Monte will be new."

The seniors tilt is set at both courses simultaneously Feb. 11-12 with 54 local and international squads fighting for team and individual honors. The regular event is slated Feb. 15-18 with defending champion Manila Southwoods and 63 other teams playing.

Del Monte is famous for two things: first, it is atop Bukidnon's plateaus with a breathtaking view of the Kitanglad mountain range that includes a beautiful rainforest, which is home to the Philippine eagle.