CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Competing against one another is the essence of the PAL Interclub, but in this year's edition, which kicks off Thursday for seniors, the two courses that will be used for the event provide an added and vital challenge to the contest.
The courses - Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club located in this city, and the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon province - have characteristics that may make or break the teams' bid for the championship, currently held by Luisita Golf Club.
READ PAL Interclub expects tighter battle after shift to 'four-to-play' format
One thing common for both courses is that the fairways are dry and this makes ball roll longerl. And the greens? They posed a challenge, according to those who've tested them.
Players, however, praise the pristine condition of the greens at Pueblo and at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich town.
Groundskeepers at Pueblo did a good job rehabilitating the greens which a few months ago had brown patches.
Julius Bautista, one of Del Monte’s top amateurs who will see action next week in the men's division, said the greens are hard, advising players to hit it short and let the ball roll into the green.
“Puwede tirahin ang green kung ang pin nasa likod,” Bautista said.
Contrasting PAL Interclub tests
While long hitters will have wider fairways to deal with at Pueblo, it is the opposite at the tree-lined Del Monte course known for being home to two of the country’s greatest golfers -- Frankie Minoza and the late Celestino Tugot.
“You better use one club stronger in every approach,” said Dan Salvador III of Tagaytay Midlands, who sampled the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Monday. “The winds are heavy.”
Dan Cruz said Del Monte favors players who hit their drives straight.
“I spent a lot of times, punching shots under the trees,” he said during his practice round on Tuesday.
The city rolled out the red carpet for the event’s diamond anniversary as it hosted a welcome dinner at the Mallberry Hotel on Monday.
Participants were treated to an evening of cultural dances highlighted by the performance of the city’s young dancesport athletes.
Luisita's top challengers include the souped-up teams of Canlubang and Manila Southwoods, while Del Monte, familiar with one of the courses, is expected to lurk.
The 75th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by diamond sponsors Mastercard and Asian Journal.
Platinum sponsors include Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Araw Hospitality while gold sponsors are Tanduay and Asia Brewery.
Silver sponsors are ABS-CBN Global, Radio Mindanao Network and Philippine National Bank. VISA is a minor sponsor while Must Glow is a donor.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
