PAL Ladies Interclub unwraps at P Verdes

DAVAO, Philippines - – The Philippine Airlines (PAL) Ladies Interclub swings back to Rancho Palos Verdes here beginning today with a promise of another spirited battle from among the country’s leading golfing ladies for team and individual honors in various divisions.

While focus remains on the three-peat seeking Manila Southwoods Ma sters squad in the centerpiece Championship Division, competition is also expected to be fierce in three other classes, including the Founders, the Friendship and the Sportswriters divisions.

That should guarantee four days of top-notch action with skippers of each team expected to come up with surprise combinations to startle the other squad’s composition and gain the proverbial edge in the four-to-play, three-to-count format event held under the Molave scoring system.

“I believe we can do a three-peat. I think we have a competitive team which is again a mix of young and veterans,” said Southwoods skipper Beachie Abiera on the eve of the tournament

The PAL-sponsored event, revived in 2011 to provide the big number of golfing ladies a tournament of their own, lured 21 teams this year, including one from Australia, which is out to improve on its runner-up finish in the Sportswriters division last year.

With Del Monte, runner-up to Southwoods in the last two years, opted to skip this year’s event, Cebu Country Club is tipped to take up the cudgels although the Carmona-based squad remains ready and all set for a first-ever three-peat in the Championship Division.

“With Del Monte out, Cebu might challenge us. But we’re ready,” said Abiera who will again pin her hopes on her young turks Mia Legaspi, Abby Arevalo and Annika Cedo and Lora Roberto, Katrina Gonzales, Claire Ong and Angela Legaspi.

Meanwhile, PAL Davao’s Ed Ramos led yesterday’s traditional hitting of the ceremonial drive kicking off the 72-hole championship put up by Philippine Airlines.

With Cebu moving up to the Championship class, Alabang I seeks to reclaim the Founders title it won in 2011 although it faces a slew of top rivals in Valley South, Mactan, Iloilo and Southwoods Legends and Tagaytay Highlands, both promoted from Sportswriters division.

Eagle Ridge and Apo I loom as the teams to beat in the Sportswriters class with host Rancho Palos Verdes, Pueblo de Oro and newly-promoted Victorias out to crowd the favorites while Apo 2, Alabang 2 and Aguinaldo head the Friendship Division cast that also includes the Lady Eagles from Australia, Valley North, Villamor, Davao and Cebu Country Club 2.

For details and updates, visit www.palladiesinterclub.com.

The event is backed by Airbus, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Purefoods, Magnolia Healthy Refreshments, Ginebra San Miguel, Magnolia Purewater, San Mig Coffee, Magnolia Ice Cream and San Mig Purefoods and supported by Merck Inc. Philippines and Diamond Hotel.