Barons to defend PAL Interclub twin crowns

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Canlubang will be defending its double championship beginning with the senior event when the 60th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team conclave unwraps in two courses here tomorrow.

The Barons, led by two-titie individual titlist Tommy Manotoc, made the rare double title romp in Davao City last year as they nailed their first ever seniors crown in 19 years over multi-titled Luisita and their 13th title in the regular men’s tournament, beating archrival Manila Southwoods in stirring fashion.

Seventy-eight teams – 47 nationwide and 31 worldwide –are competing in the Seniors division of the event long acknowledged as the national golf team tourney.

Twenty teams hail from Luzon, 14 from the Visayas and 13 from Mindanao.

Providing international flavor are clubs from the United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China and Canada.

The Seniors competition, confined to players who are 55 or old will be held up to Sunday, after which the centerpiece regular tournament takes over from Feb. 21-24.

Hosting the tournament are Pueblo de Oro Golf & Country Club, situated on a 350-meter plateau above this city, and Del Monte Golf and Country Club in nearby Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Expected to challenge the Laguna parbusters in their bids are Southwoods, local favorite Del Monte and perennial contender Luisita.

Aside from Manotoc, the other members of the Canlubang seniors squad are Tony Olives, skipper Luigi Yulo, Rollie Viray, Bing Bunye, Lino Magpantay, Baxo Adriano and Dan Patalot.

Action Asia, Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Callaway Golf, 105.1 Crossover, GE Aviation, GECAS, Mizuno, People Asia and Royal Caribbean are the major sponsors while the corporate supporters are Business Mirror, Fortune Tobacco, GMA 7, Premier Wine & Spirits, www.inquirer.net, and Radio Mindanao Network.