Thursday, February 28, 2008 Newbie stuns veterans By Mike T. Limpag Of Sun.Star Cebu
BACOLOD City—Founders Division newbie Mactan Coral Golf and Country Club pulled a surprise in the opening round of the 61st PAL Interclub as it joined three-time defending champion Cebu Country Club at second in the division yesterday at the Negros Golf and Country Club (NGCC).
Both CCC, which is seeking a four-peat in the place where they started their winning run three years ago, and Mactan, promoted from the Sportswriters to the Founders Division, finished with a 108, just a point behind the leader and host Negros.
“Who would have thought (that we will finish second),” said a surprised Jofil Sato of Mactan, which finished third in the Sportswriters Division last year.
Sato said the team was disheartened upon learning they were promoted to the Founders Division but their second place finish shows they deserve to be in the division.
“That is very unexpected. We were expecting everybody to score in the 30s, while we only had one guy who scored in the 30s,” said Sato.
Hubert Calan led Mactan with 31, Nilo Seno had a 28, while Roy Dadula and Ramon Morada had 26 and 23, respectively.
Goal
Tomorrow, the team will be aiming for a better finish as the action shifts to the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin, where they will field Renato Aquino, Oscar Cornelio, Pedrito Buenavista, Jonathan Dionson and Sato.
“We find the Binitin course tamer than (NGCC) and we are fielding a team whose games are better suited there,” said Sato.
Meanwhile, CCC found itself in familiar territory as it also started at second during their third straight win last year in Cagayan de Oro City.
“It’s not so bad. They (NGCC) are playing in their home course and we are just trailing by one down. We were able to overcome the first day jitters, so we are still looking good,” said Jovi Neri.
Last year, the squad trailed opening day leaders Orchard by 11 points before hacking out a seven-point win.
Now, they return to the place where they started their run of titles in the premier golf meet of the country.
Eric Deen led CCC’s opening round with a 32, while Mark Dy, who carved a record of 40 points for CCC last year, had a quiet 30. Neri carded a 26 and newcomer Kiyofumi Takahashi, who replaced William Hong, debuted with a 20 in the par 70 course.
Marko Sarmiento’s 19 did not count in the four-day tournament backed by Airbus, Boeing, Bomardier, GE Aviation, MTV Philippines and Solar Sports.
Field
Tomorrow, CCC will field Jojo Tiongko, Joseph Stevens, Nonoy Tirol and Neri as the action shifts to the Bacolod Golf and Country Club.
Gerardo de Leon led the host with a round of 30, while team captain Francis Gaston scored 29. Jungolfer Chepe Dulay scored a 27 and James Feliciano had a 23.
In the Championship division, favorites Canlubang took a three-point lead despite losing two points due to a rules violation. The defending champion opened with a 130 to lead rival Manila Southwoods. Del Monte golf took third with a 123, while Forrest Hills Golf and Country Club was a far fourth with 98.
Jhonel Ababa and Joel Huerva led Canlubang with 36 and 34, while Gem Ponlec and Jonjon Asistio had 35 and 34 for their rivals Southwoods.
Sunnyboy Gialon’s 27 didn’t count and what made it worse for the defending champion was his two-point penalty after he signed a double bogey on a Par 4.
“What happened hurts, but we have to live with it,” said Canlubang owner Luigi Yulo.
Canlubang is gunning for a rare three-peat in both the Seniors Division, which ended last week and the Men’s Regular tournament, which will cap this Sunday.
Results in the Friendship and Sportswriters Division were unavailable as of press time yesterday. (ML)
