Sta. Barbara braces for PAL Ladies' golf

MANILA, Philippines - The second edition of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Ladies’ Interclub golf championship’s revival has now drawn 29 teams (24 local and five foreign) as the number quickly overtook last year’s entries with still a good two months to go before the event tees off in Iloilo.

Australia will be represented in the annual event as the Sta. Barbara layout, listed as the oldest golf course in the Far East, is being spruced up to championship standard for the four-day event.

Southwoods will defend the title it won over Del Monte last year as PAL braces itself for the list-up of more entries.

“The club is excited to host the Ladies Interclub,” club manager Butch Jamerlan said as he underscored the readiness of the 105-year-old layout. “The field will be in for a very different challenge.”

Sta. Barbara is a par-70 course that, when stretched for pro tournaments, can measure up to just a little over 6,400 yards. It recently hosted a leg of the local pro circuit.

But Jamerlan is reiterating that Sta. Barbara is not just about bombing it off the tees, as practically every hole requires an accurate tee shot for placements on the fairways to make for the best approaches to its undulating greens.

“This course is all about accuracy,” Jamerlan said. “It doesn’t necessarily require super long tee shots, but well-placed drives that can reward a player in the end.”

Registration is still open with the tournament open to teams made up of eight players. Format calls for a team to field four players each per day with the top three scores counting.