MANILA, Philippines - Despite the absence of two of its top players, Cebu Country Club remains the team to beat when the 67th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championship gets going in two courses in Bacolod City later this month.
Mark Dy and Lloyd Go won’t be around when the Cebuanos gun for their third straight championship but eight teammates will return for another shot at the crown.
Dy has turned pro while Go is in the US on a golfing scholarship.
CCC general manager Jeric Hechanova, who will make his debut in the seniors’ event next week, said despite the absence of Dy and Go, they still have a strong chance of holding on to the crown.
“We still have the eight regulars. There are three players fighting for the two remaining slots and all of them are as good as the regulars,†Hechanova said.
As far as course familiarity is concerned, Hechanova said CCC has the advantage over the Manila-based squads.
“After all, the grass and the greens at CCC are similar to Marapara and Binitin,†said Hechanova, referring to the courses that will be used for the tournament.
Coming back to play for CCC are playing captain Ramontito Garcia, Gen Nagai, Jovi Neri, Carl Almario, Marko Sarmiento, Andre Borromeo, Eric Deen and Bayani Garcia.
The Cebuanos beat Alabang Country Club by 16 points at home last year.
Alabang will also miss the services of Fil-German Keanu Jahns, but has retained the services of Andres Saldana, Justin Quilban, Christopher Popp, Jama Reyes, Miguel Shah, AR Ramos, Gab Manotoc, Dax Garcia and JB Garcia, the playing captain. Completing the squad is Basti Lorenzo.
Former champion Del Monte Golf Club is also expected to contend for the crown.
The seniors’ event, meanwhile, will start on Thursday with Canlubang Country Club going for a fourth straigth crown against old rival Luisita and emerging contender CCC.
This year’s Interclub is sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corp., Manila Broadcasting Corp. and Manila Bulletin.
A total of 77 teams – some of them coming from the United States, the Middle East, Australia and Canada, are entered in the men’s division.