CDO COMEBACK EYED
CCC finishes 5th in Founders Division
FINISHING fifth overall in Founders Division of the 70th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub Regular Men's Golf Tournament last Saturday, the 2016 champion Cebu Country Club (CCC) vowed to come back strong when the annual golfest goes to Cagayan de Oro City next year.
Julius Pierre "Pio" Neri, who carded 26 points in the final round held at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club (RPVGCC), said: "We will prepare properly for next year to reclaim our crown in Cagayan de Oro."
Neri, son of Sun.Star Davao Publishing, Incorporated chairman Julius Neri Jr., said the team did not play well in the last day of competition except for Harvey Sytiongsa who shot a 2-over for 34 points.
"What we lacked this PAL Interclub compared to last year was preparation. We were not as prepared and did not practice as much. It was disappointing, but it is always fun to join PAL Interclub with company of people you are with," he added in a text interview with Sun.Star Davao.
Ten-time PAL Interclub champion CCC amassed a four-day total of 465 points. Aside from Neri and Sytiongsa, Ferdinand Chua (26) and Andre Borromeo (25) also saw action in the fourth round where the team submitted a day's total of 111 points.
The other scorers for CCC in the four-day tournament were team captain Ramontito Garcia (29, 27), Bayani Garcia (36, 35), Jovi Neri (30), Marko Sarmiento (22), Marc Gonzalez (31) and Eric Deen (27).
Defending champion CCC came from a sluggish start at seventh place with an opening output of 113 at RPVGCC but the Cebuanos bounced back on the second round held at Apo Golf and Country Club with a best of 122 points to take the second spot. They dropped to third after third round with a decent 119, trailing the division leader by ni ne points.
Jovi Neri, one of the CCC veterans, said they did not play as expected and felt the absence of Club Champion and former pro Mark Dy who was on a personal trip abroad.
“I can also say that our rivals have also caught up and their teams have strengthened. They have new players who were good,” Jovi told Sun.Star Cebu, adding that they have to bring their best game in the coming years. He also hopes that Dy will be able to join them in Cagayan de Oro next year.
Jovi also said, “Two years ago I think we placed fifth. Hopefully this is a wake-up call for us. When we lost in 2005 we came back the next year, and when we lost in 2008 we bounced back again. "
A steadier Orchard Golf and Country Club went on to clinch the title, garnering 117 for a total of 480 points while Forest Hills Golf and Country Club (477) was second, Valley Golf and Country Club, Incorporated (468) third and Riviera Golf (467) in fourth.
Davao City team Apo Golf and Country Club came seventh with 455 points while Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club landed 11th, tallying 422.
In the Aviator Division, Davao City Golf Club (DCGC) grabbed the third spot having registered 375 points. The team accounted for 98 in the final round behind Elvie Naranjo (28), Rodolfo Luna (26), Edipolo Caturan (24) and Manuel "Jun-Jun" Grandeza (20) .
Sherwood Hills Golf Club captured the Aviator crown (413) while Lumbia Golf and Country Club (382) took the runner-up honors.
Meanwhile, Lanang Golf Club (293) ended fifth in Friendship Division topped by PGA of British Columbia (331).