Katsuragawa back for Southwoods; Manotoc to miss seniors’ tourney

Yuto Katsuragawa, the Japanese par-ripping machine who has helped Manila Southwoods to several team titles in the past four years, returns to action to spearhead the Carmona-based squad’s “four-peat” bid in the Philippine Airlines Interclub golf championship.

The reedy teen begged off from playing in the Fil-Am Invitational in Baguio last month but has confirmed that he will play as centerpiece Men’s Regular play will be held at the Marapara and Binitin courses in Bacolod in March.

Senior’s action kicks off the 70th edition of the country’s unofficial team golf championship on March 1 also over the same tree-lined courses where Luisita hopes to extend its reign—and is favored to do so—with Canlubang to again miss Tommy Manotoc.

The 69-year-old Manotoc is in the United States to attend to a family commitment.

The Sugar Barons, though, will go into the event fully prepared with the addition of several players to take Manotoc’s place in a bid to avenge a narrow defeat last year in Davao.

Southwoods, meanwhile, still prevailed with conviction in Baguio even without Katsuragawa. But with the Interclub being a different animal than the Fil-Am, management is not taking chances and will likely tap ex-pro Vince Lauron back to active duty.

In Baguio, Southwoods’ youth brigade was backstopped by the veteran Jun Jun Plana, who was the team’s steadying presence.