Five-time champion Manila Southwoods drew balanced scoring from three players to take a five-shot lead over defending titlist Pradera Verde at the start of the 13th Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub golf team championships at the Rancho Palos Verdes here.
Smarting from its 43-point defeat last year in Cebu City, the Carmona-based squad assembled a young, talented team which did not disappoint.
Sofia Chabon, the team’s most decorated member, shot even par 72 for 54 points and got solid support from Eagle Ace Superal and Mafy Singson who each scored 51 as Southwoods collected 156 points.
Asian Games champion Yuka Saso made five birdies against two bogeys for 57 points to lead the defending champions, but the rest of her teammates struggled.
Malaysian Charlyne Chongshinling and 11-year-old Rianne Malixi had 47 points apiece.
Annika Guangko of Southwoods and Korean Luna Sheen of Pradera failed to count following identical 46s.
“We had a very, very good first day,” said Claire Ong, Southwood’s non-playing captain. “Our plan was to just really stay close and not let something like last year to happen. Being in the lead is a very good thing.”
Host Rancho Palos Verdes had a good start with RPV 1 landing in second place overnight in the Sportswriters division while RPV 2 is on top of the Friendship division.
After its wire-to-wire win last year, Pradera suddenly finds itself in a big fight with Southwoods.
“I expected it to be very close because they (Southwoods) are better prepared this time,” said Pradera captain Norman Sto. Domingo who only had two holdovers from last year’s champion team.
Meanwhile, Del Monte Golf Club seized the lead in the Founders division after collecting 136 points, 12 ahead of Negros Occidental. Alabang Country Club was running third with 121.
In the Sportswriter class, Pueblo de Oro was on top with 121 followed by Rancho Palos Verdes 1 and Lady Eagles Australian Golfers 2 with 109 and 101, respectively.
Rancho Palos Verdes 2 led Friendship with 94 with Bacolod and Apo taking second and third spots with 82 and 81, respectively.
Major sponsors for the 13th PAL Ladies Interclub include Airbus, Bombardier, People Asia, UM Broadcasting Network and Primax Broadcasting Network.
Other sponsors are TFC, Mastercard, Resorts World, SEDA Hotel, SM Supermalls and Banco de Oro. Donors are Asia Brewery and Philippine National Bank.
The results:
Championship: Manila Southwoods Masters 156, Pradera Verde Golf Club 151
Founders: Delmonte Golf Club 136, Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club 124, Alabang Country Club Team 1 121, Wack Wack Golf & Country Club 119, The Orchard Golf and Country Club 117, Lady Eagles Australian Golfers 1 116
Sportswriters: Pueblo De Oro Golf Team 121, Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Club 1 109, Lady Eagles Australian Golfers 2 101, Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club 95, Manila Golf Club, 89, Fairways and Bluewater 89, Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club 73, Iloilo Golf & Country Club 72, Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club 42, Alta Vista Golf & Country Club 37
Friendship: Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Club 2 94, Bacolod Golf Club Inc. 82, Apo Golf & Country Club 81, Victorias Golf & Country Club 59, Alabang Country Club Team 2 35, Orchard Country Club Team 2 35 International: Lady Eagles Australian Golfers 1 116, Lady Eagles Australian Golfers 2 101
