CCC tipped to crowd Orchard for PAL Interclub title

Cebu Country Club, which fared badly in its defense of the Philippine Airlines Interclub Men’s title last year, gets another solid shot at a third title next month when the 68th edition is played in Cebu.

CCC will try to unseat Orchard—last year’s surprise winner in Bacolod—as two rounds are played at their home layout and at the up-and-down Club Filipino from Feb. 25 to 28.

Orchard, though, will be defending its first-ever championship minus John Kier Abdon, even as the Seniors event plays two rounds at Club Filipino and at Mactan Island Golf and Country Club the week before.

Luisita is gunning for a second straight Seniors title, and 16th overall in 29 editions of the event. It is still bannered by a lineup spearheaded by ex-pro Eddie Bagtas and former national amateur champion Francis Gaston.

Canlubang will be there again to crowd Luisita for top honors with the Sugar Barons expected to welcome Tommy Manotoc back to the fold.

The Laguna-based squad played the last two seasons without Manotoc, a former regular and senior individual champion, who spent that time serving as president of the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Cebu CC won its two Interclub titles with LJ Go leading the squad. He was absent last year because of his studies in the United States but returned to win the Philippine Amateurs at Wack Wack.