Cangolf dislodges TCC on top spot of PAL Interclub

MANILA, Philippines – The Country Club (TCC), as expected, again played consistently on Thursday but the Canlubang Golf and Country Club toured the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City much better. Ferdie Aunzo scored a four over par 76 for the equivalent of 32 points in the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub scoring system with Rufino Bayron, Peter Villaber and Art Arbole shooting 31 apiece to give TCC 125. But Tommy Manotoc, 59, and 24-year old future star Jonel Ababa played Apo with 36 each and Mario Labajo contributed 32 while Zanie Gialon added 28 and the Cangolf bets are in familiar territory making their title duel for the 62nd Men’s Regular championship a little bit exciting. Together with their opening round effort of 133 over at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club, the Cangolf sweet swingers from Laguna have 265 to dislodge TCC at the top in the battle for the championship division trophy. TCC, which marked its debut with a 138, goes back to Rancho Palos Verdes Friday with 263 total. The thrilling duel was like the battle royal between Canlubang and Luisita Golf and Country Club in the 23rd PAL Interclub Seniors last week. Canlubang came from behind to capture its fourth straight title. If Canlubang also wins Saturday, it will be the first team in tournament history to score a double four-peat. Cebu Country Club carded 135 on Takahashi Kiyofumi’s 36, the 34 of Joseph Stevens, the 33 of Carl Almario and the 32 of either Mark Dy or Marko Sarmiento to go with a first-round 112 to pull away in the Founders division with 247. For the second straight day, heavy rains that came mid-morning made Apo wet forcing tournament director Buddy Resurreccion to declare play under winter rules – allowing players to pick their balls, clean then place. Worst, he cancelled round two in the Friendship division after rains flooded portions of Rancho Palos to make it unplayable. The PAL scoring system is being used that awards one point for a bogey, two par, three birdie, four eagle, five double eagle and six hole-in-one. Each squad is allowed to have10 players. Five of them play each round with the best four to be counted. An international field of 76 teams from the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines is competing for team and individual honors. – GMANews.TV