As the 77th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub tees off in Davao, the atmosphere is a mix of high-stakes anticipation and weather-induced anxiety. While the Seniors division has already begun navigating the challenges of South Pacific and Rancho Palos Verdes, the focus is rapidly shifting toward the Men’s Regular tournament scheduled for March 2 to 6. But there is a giant, gray cloud hanging over the fairways: the persistent rain that has plagued the region.
For the Men’s championship, all eyes are on the legendary Apo Golf and Country Club. However, if the current rainy conditions persist, the sprawling, venerable layout of Apo faces a familiar foe, the flooding.
History has a way of repeating itself in the PAL Interclub. Veterans of the tour vividly remember the previous outings in Bacolod, where torrential rains turned fairways into water hazards, forcing organizers to scramble and ultimately dampening the spirit of the competition. As the shear line continues to bring intermittent moderate to heavy rain to Davao, PAL and the tournament committee should consider early contingency plans.
We cannot afford to wait for the first submerged green before deciding on the next move.
The South Pacific Golf Club is designated as the other venue, and while it is a fine course, it is no secret what the top-caliber players truly desire. They want Apo. To hold a PAL Interclub in Davao without Apo Golf is like holding the event in an entirely different part of the country. Apo is not just a golf course; it is an institution. It is a legend when it comes to hosting this prestigious tournament. Her sprawling layout, with its towering trees, narrow fairways and demanding sleek greens, is where the “men are separated from the boys.”
Apo is the crucible where champions are made and where the line is drawn between the true title contenders and the pretenders. Its history is woven into the very fabric of Philippine golf. For a serious player, the chance to test their mettle on Apo’s championship-caliber holes is the highlight of the calendar year.
While Rancho Palos Verdes and South Pacific both have the distinction of All-weather courses, and offer their own unique challenges, they lack the historical gravity that Apo carries. If the rains don’t let up, organizers may be forced to rely more heavily on these alternative venues to ensure the tournament can be completed. But the golfing
community knows that such a move, while perhaps necessary for safety and playability, would leave a void in the 77th edition.
The organizers have already reassured players that as long as there is no lightning, play will continue. But there is a difference between “playing through rain” and “navigating a flood.”
As we look toward the Men’s Regular faceoff, we hope for a break in the clouds. Davao is ready, the players are hungry, and the stage, the legendary Apo Golf is waiting. Let us hope the weather permits the "Apo experience" to remain the centerpiece of this historic 77th staging, because an Interclub in Davao without it simply isn’t the same.
