Barons, Luisitans all even in opener

BACOLOD City, Philippines – The par-70 Marapara layout, under super dry and extra windy conditions, yesterday brought out the worst from the best.

Tommy Manotoc of Canlubang needed to sink a 30-foot putt on the final hole for his lone birdie of the day while Iggy Clavecilla of Luisita thought he missed five par putts from inside six feet for identical 45 points.

Their efforts were equivalent to nine-over-par 79 in medal play, a terrible round based on their own personal standards, but enough to pace their respective teams, tied at 129 after the first round of the PAL Interclub’s seniors event.

“It was really tough out there,” said Manotoc, the three-time individual champ who started his day with a pick-up on No. 10. A duck-hook on his drive left him with an unplayable lie under an old tree, leading to a scoreless opening hole.

He couldn’t do anything right the rest of the way. On his final hole, the 9th, he sent his second shot 30 feet short of the cup. But he stunned everyone when his uphill putt rolled straight to the hole.

Manotoc’s incredible putt enabled Canlubang, eyeing a fifth straight seniors title, to tie Luisita at 129, and for the lead in the Championship Division even if Orchard had the day’s best of 136 in the Founder’s Division.

“I told myself I haven’t done anything today so this has got to go,” said Manotoc of his final putt. He whooped it up and was cheered on by his teammates off the green like he had set a new course record at the Marapara layout.

Aside from Clavecilla, scoring for Luisita, which had its players in bright Cory-yellow shirts, were Carlo Gamban at 44 and either Pepot Inigo or Lino Magpantay with their 40s.

Adding up for Canlubang’s output were Mari Hechanova’s 42 and Bing Bunye’s 42. Dan Morales, the latest addition to the team, did not count with his 38.

“The course was dry and difficult today. But it’s better now in the sense that there will be less pressure tomorrow than last year when we led Canlubang by 18 points after the first round,” said Clavecilla, who might play the Binitin layout for today’s second round.

“After we led the first round last year, we were asking ourselves if we could hang on. Baka maubusan,” said Clavecilla, also at the helm when Luisita scored 158 points in the first round at the Palos Verdes course in Davao last year. 

Luisita lost that lead, and Canlubang won the title.

Luigi Yulo of Canlubang said Marapara’s slow greens and strong winds made it very difficult for the players yesterday.

Orchard submitted the day’s best of 136 points but over at Binitin, also a par-70 layout but considered “easier” as compared to Marapara. It was Louie Garcia’s 55, also the day’s best, Ed Abesamis’ 41 and Mel Malabanan’s 40 that counted for Orchard.

Running third behind Canlubang and Luisita, a 13-time champion in the seniors division, was Forest Hills (104), followed by Luzviminda (93), Mabuhay Las Vegas (93) and South Bay Golf (88).

Behind Orchard in the Founders Division were Eagle Ridge (132), Alabang (130), Del Monte (128), Manila Golf (127), Valley (126) and John Hay (126). Ahead of the Sportswriters Division are Philippine Navy (123), Villamor (120) and Apo (118).

The event is presented 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, Master Card and Thales Aerospace are the minor patrons.