DAVAO CITY — The city is all set to host the 77th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub, the country’s premier and longest-running amateur golf team tournament, from 20 February to 6 March, with three Davao layouts sharing hosting duties: South Pacific Davao Golf Club, Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club, and Apo Golf and Country Club.

A total of 214 teams are entered this year — 124 in the Seniors division and 90 in the Men’s Regular — underscoring the Interclub’s enduring pull for clubs and golfers from across the country and overseas.

The event, which started in 1948, remains Philippine golf’s benchmark team competition, prized as much for its fierce four-day scoring grind as for the camaraderie and tradition that come with wearing club colors.

Tournament activities officially get going with the team captains’ meeting, ceremonial tee-off, and captains’ tournament on Friday, 20 February, at South Pacific Davao, the centerpiece venue for this year’s staging.

The Seniors championship will be played from 22 to 26 February at South Pacific and Rancho Palos Verdes, while the Men’s Regular championship fires off from 2 to 6 March at Apo Golf and South Pacific.

“We are all set to host this year’s edition of the PAL Interclub. The greens and fairways are ready for our players. It’s an honor to be one of the hosts of this year’s PAL Interclub,” said Apo Golf and Country Club general manager Ed Marasigan at the Davao Sportswriters Association Forum.

Marasigan added that Apo Golf & Country Club president Leo Magno, who also chairs the Mindanao Development Authority, is expected to join the ceremonial tee-off as Davao’s golf community rolls out a warm welcome to visiting teams.

Among those on hand ahead of opening day were PAL Seniors Interclub tournament director Buddy Resurreccion, South Pacific general manager Elson Alvaran, and Sta. Lucia’s Tom Clemente, who inspected the courses and facilities.

“The PAL Interclub has always been a meaningful gathering for the golfing community. We are excited to bring the 77th edition to Davao and look forward to celebrating this tradition with golfers, partners, and supporters,” said Philippine Airlines president Richard Nuttall in a statement.