Fernando sparks TCC charge for 5-point edge

DAVAO, Philippines  – As predicted and as expected, newcomer The Country Club made its presence felt yesterday at the start of the 62nd PAL Interclub men’s tournament at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club here.

Former national champion Anthony Fernando frolicked in the rain and turned in the day’s best score of 40 to give TCC the needed headstart in its bid to become only the second team to emerge champion in its rookie year.

The 25-year-old Fernando, all set to turn pro, had two pitch-in birdies from close to 20 yards, on the sixth and ninth holes, and added three more against a lone bogey on the par-3 No. 2 where he overshot the green.

Fernando said the rains made the tough course tougher, and all he did was to play it safe.

“Play safe, play safe lang,” said Fernando who helped TCC to a 138 total, counting the 33s of Tonlits Asistio and Jobim Carlos and the 32 of Dante Beciera. Local boy Joey Huerva did not count with a 31.

In Fernando’s hands, the TCC squad safely headed into the night five points ahead of Canlubang, the rookie champion way back in 1977.

Eyeing an unprecedented fourth straight “double” championship (seniors and men’s), Canlubang booked a 133 behind new recruit Alvin Engino’s 37, Mark Fernando’s 34, Joseph Labajo’s and Jessie Balasabas’ 31s with Dave Hernandez not counting for the team after a 27.

In the early battle for third, Manila Southwoods leaned on Miggy Yee (32), Park Jong-joo (31), Justine Limjap (30) and Allan Guy (28) to edge Del Monte’s Park Jung-Sub (37), Boboy Jaraula (28), Julius Bautista (27) and Ondoy Montilla (26), 121-118.

Despite the lead, TCC coach Bong Lopez was hardly impressed.

“We still played bad, but Tonyte (Fernando’s nickname) saved us. We would have wanted to play better but some of the guys I’m expecting to score didn’t play so well (Asistio and Huerva),” he said.

Lopez said Jobim (named after the Brazilian composer-singer Carlos Jobim of the 1960s hit “The Girl From Ipanema) was a big surprise, and should come up bigger in the days ahead.

Based on official weather forecast, rains are expected over Davao until the end of the week, making this year’s championship as unpredictable.

Canlubang skipper Luigi Yulo was not available for comment after the day’s action, but must draw the best, or at least a better output from his wards at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Tommy Manotoc, getting better with age, will spearhead Canlubang’s second-round bid and should blend well with Jhonel Ababa, Paul Echavez, Mario Labajo and Zanie Boy Gialon.

The Country Club, will try to pull away behind standouts Ferdie Aunzo, Rufino Bayron, JR Tanpinco and Peter Villaber.

Camp John Hay took the initiative in the Sportswriters division with 107 points behind Jeff Razon’s 29. In second after the opening round was Sherwood Hills with 106 points, led by Thirdy Escano’s 29, and third was Mactan with 103.

In the Friendship division, Philippine Navy proved steady under the rains and led with 96 points, towing Fil-Am Hawaii’s 92, Eagle Ridge’s 92, South Cotabato’s 81, Club Filipino’s 79, Bay Area’s 78, Maharlika’s 76 and UP Tee Jots’ 75.

Cebu Country Club paced the Founder’s division with a 112 total, towing Davao Golf at 111 and Orchard Golf at 104.

Behind the event are ABS-CBN Cable Channels and Print Media Group, Airbus, Boeing, Business Mirror, Mizuno, MTV Philippines, Radio Mindanao Network, Solar Sports, Action Asia, Bombo Radio, Crossover 105.1, People Asia, Royal Caribbean and XFM 92.3.