MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub, the country’s longest running and most prestigious amateur golf tournament, goes to Northern Mindanao for just the fourth time in its 64-year history when Cagayan de Oro hosts the annual event from Feb. 16 to 26.
The event has drawn record field of 167 teams, 12 more than the previous high of 155 teams set last year in Bacolod.
Dubbed “The Heat Is On,” the nearly two-week long event begins Feb.16 with the Seniors Interclub where 89 clubs are entered, led by defending champion Luisita.
The field includes eight new entrants from overseas – Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver, Guam, Saipan and Tokyo.
Nearly half of the field are made up of foreign-based squads, underscoring the growing popularity of the tournament among players 55 years old and above.
Luisita is expected to field the same crew that ended Canlubang’s four-year reign last year.
After a two-day break, the regular Interclub event takes place from Feb. 23 to 26.
At least 78 teams – three more than last year – have signed up for the event that draws the country’s top amateur golfers.
Among them are 31 international teams, including newcomers from Reno/Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Los Angeles; Dubai; Tokyo and Nagoya. Reinstated teams from Sydney, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. will make a comeback.
Multi-titled Canlubang is returning to defend its title against The Country Club, last year’s runner-up, and former champions Manila Southwoods and Del Monte, which stunned the tournament with an audacious breakout triumph in 2004.
The 64th PAL Interclub will be jointly played on the region’s two premier golf courses – Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in the hills above Cagayan de Oro City and Del Monte Golf Club, set in the vast pineapple plantation in the municipality of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon province.