Manila Southwoods, denied a seventh straight title last year in Cebu City, has assembled a youth-laden squad to challenge defending champion Pradera Verde in the 13th Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub golf team championships on Sept. 18-22 at Rancho Palos Verdes in Davao City.
The Carmona-based squad decided not to send a second team to defend its Founders crown and focus its energy toward reclaiming the overall title, according to Southwoods captain Claire Ong.
“We really want to try and win it again, that’s why we tapped some players from our second team to reinforce the squad,” said Ong.
Seventeen-year-old Sofia Chabon and Sunshine Baraquiel, 25, will spearhead Southwoods’ campaign and will get support from three members of the Founders champion team, namely: Mafy Singson, 15; Annika Guangko, 20 and Laurea Duque, 14.
Kristine Torralba, 18, who played for Pradera last year, Samantha Dizon, 14, and Mariel Tee, 17, round out the team.
Last year, Pradera made a smashing debut, posting a runaway 43-point victory over Southwoods.
Asian Games champion Yuka Saso returns to spearhead Pradera’s title defense along with holdovers Annika Cayabyab and Nicole Abelar.
A trio of 16-year-old Malaysians in Zulaikah Nusiana Nasser, Charlayne Chong and Vinisha Gunaseelan have been tapped to reinforce the defending champions. Completing the lineup are Rhianne Malixi and Luna Shin.
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, SEDA Hotel, SM Supermalls and Banco de Oro. Donors are Asia Brewery and Philippine National Bank.
The four-day team event assembles the country’s top lady golfers who will compete in four divisions: Championship, Founders, Sportswriters and Friendship.
Each team is allowed to field four players with the top three scores to be counted. “‹
