LUISITA Golf Club is likely to face stiffer competition in its defense of the Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team senior championship.
Canlubang and Manila Southwoods have beefed up their lineups to challenge Luisita at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro and Del Monte golf course in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon as PAL celebrates its 75th interclub tournament.
Luisita lost one of its pillars in Benjie Sumulong, who will now play for Alabang, but added Jing Tuason, Ferdie Barboza and Marvin Caparros. They will join holdovers Rodel Mangulabnan, Ronnie Littaua, Chino Raymundo, Marty Ilagan, and Dan Cruz in the team.
Luisita came from behind to beat Canlubang by seven points at the 2023 PAL Interclub in Cebu City last year.
“Luisita still has a solid team even without Benjie Sumulong this year,” said Luisita non-playing team captain Jeric Hechanova. “But Canlubang should be favored with three new solid players who will be a good addition to their existing lineup.”
Canlubang will return with only five members from its 2023 team – Abe Rosal, Damasus Wong, Zaldy Villa, Abe Avena, and Rolly Viray. The Sugar Barons have tapped Pem Rosal, John Paul Reyes, and Jess Hernandez to provide additional firepower.
Southwoods is hoping to break the Luisita-Canlubang stranglehold of the event by securing the services of many-time Alabang Country Club champion Jorge Gallent.
Gallent, who is also coach of San Miguel Beer's PBA team, will team up with Junjun Plana, Thirdy Escano, Joseph Tambunting, Theody Pascual, and Mandred Guangko who all played in last year's interclub.
Southwoods also tapped Monet Garcia and Michael Cheon.
The seniors’ competition kicks off on February 22 while the men’s tournament, featuring the country's top amateurs and the centerpiece of the event, begins March 1.
The diamond anniversary edition of what is regarded as the country’s unofficial golf club team championship, will played under a new format.
From the usual five players coming out for each team every day, the men’s regular event will now use the four-to-play, three-to-count format. Organizers are hoping this will produce a tighter and better competition.
Besides Sumulong, Alabang, now a dark horse, is also counting on Arnel Paras, Toti Zara, Kevin Kim, RJ Maclang, Jerome Hernandez, Timmy Yang, and Marc Reyes.
The PAL Interclub is supported by diamond sponsors Mastercard and Asian Journal, platinum sponsors Airbus, Primax and Araw Hospitality and gold sponsors Tanduay and Asia Brewery.
Silver sponsors are ABS-CBN Global and Radio Mindanao Network.
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