PAL Interclub draws 151 teams

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – The Philippine Airlines Interclub golf tournament, which for the last two decades has distinguished itself as the country’s national team golf championship, gets under way Feb. 19 at two challenging courses here.

An international field of 151 teams from the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Saudi Arabia and host Philippines is lined up at the annual tournament involving senior players and men’s regular golfers.

Kicking off this year’s tournament, which started in 1948, is the 23rd Seniors contest on Thursday with the 62nd men’s regular tournament firing off Feb. 25.

Hosts of the action are Apo Golf and Country Club and Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.

“Once again, our tournament has lured a big number of golfers from around the world,” said PAL president Jaime Bautista. “And this early, we wish all our guests in both divisions good luck.”

“On behalf of PAL, we would also like to express our gratitude to all our sponsors this year which has for its theme – ‘You’re No. 1’,” said tournament committee chairman Domingo Duerme, PAL’s senior assistant vice president for Mindanao sales.

The platinum sponsors are ABS-CBN Cable Channels and Print Media Group, Airbus, Boeing, Business Mirror, Mizuno, MTV Philippines, Radio Mindanao Network and Solar Sports.

Action Asia, Bombo Radyo, Crossover 105.1 People Asia, Royal Caribbean and XFM 92.3 are the major backers. Completing the list are Inquirer.net, Pagcor, Rajah Broadcasting Network and Century Park Hotel. The hole-in-one sponsor is Honda Cars Davao.

Highlighting the start of the 23rd Seniors event is the hitting of the traditional ceremonial drives at Rancho Palos Verdes. Special guests invited to do the honors are Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Gen. Andy Caro, directorate for integrated operations-Eastern Mindanao; and Mindanao Business Council chairman Vic Lao.

Those invited to do the honors in the men’s regular tournament at Apo are Duterte, North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol and Davao City Chamber of Commerce president Simeon Marfori.

The Canlubang Golf and Country Club heads the championship field. Other teams seeing action are Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Del Monte Golf Club, Luisita Golf and Country Club and Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.