Record field vies in PAL Interclub

BACOLOD , Philippines  – A record field of 157 teams will see action when the Philippine Airlines Interclub, the country’s most storied golf team tournament, stages its annual championships in Negros Occidental next week.

The 63rd edition of the regular men’s event, long acknowledged as the unofficial national club championship, will be played Feb. 24-27 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City and the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in nearby Murcia.

It will be preceded by the Seniors Interclub from Feb. 18-21.

The cast of 157 teams – 82 in the Seniors’ side and 75 in the regular tournament – surpassed the previous record high of 150 teams which competed last year in Davao.

The roster includes 39 international clubs in the Seniors and 32 in the Men’s division, both record highs as well. Among them are clubs from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Guam, New Jersey and Florida in the United States; Vancouver, Canada; Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The foreign teams are sure to add spice to an already competitive tournament, dominated the last four years by powerhouse Canlubang, the defending champions in both Seniors and Men’s play.

The Sugar Barons will gun for unprecedented fifth straight crown in both divisions although they expect tough opposition from perennial contenders Manila Southwoods and Del Monte in the Men’s tournament, and 13-time champion Luisita in the Seniors.

Also fancied is the talent-laden The Country Club, which fought it out with Canlubang last year in Davao before losing by just nine points in the Men’s finals.

This year’s Interclub is backed by platinum sponsors Airbus, Boeing, 105.1 Crossover and Radio Mindanao Network.

Major sponsors are Action Asia, GE Aviation, MTV Philippines, People Asia and Royal Caribbean.

The corporate backers are Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, philstar.com, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network and Resort World Manila.

Century Park Hotel, DWWW 774 AM, Panay News and Thales Aerospace are the minor patrons.