Southwoods pulls ace up sleeve by tapping ex-TCC champ
Fourteen years after his last competitive tournament, champion ex-pro and two-time national titlist Jerome Delariarte comes out of retirement to scratch his competitive itch and be the stabilizing force to a young Manila Southwoods squad seeking to defend its Philippine Airlines Interclub Regular Men’s title in two weeks.
Just when the local golfing community had thought that the former The Country Club champion will never be playing at a high level, Delariarte is busy trying to get himself in the best game shape possible as he provides the veteran presence for the Carmona-based squad in Bacolod starting Feb. 18.
“It’s a specific role that I am excited to play,” Delariarte told the Inquirer before work at Southwoods where he is the assistant general manager. “I have little expectations of myself other than help the team. No individual aspirations, whatsoever.”
The 46-year-old Delariarte will be anchoring a Southwoods team that will unveil current PH Am champ Zeus Sara, but will be missing the services of three young stars and Jun Jun Plana, who is being hobbled by a back injury.
‘Valuable addition’
“I will need him there to not only play but guide the younger players,” non-playing skipper Thirdy Escaño said. “He will be a very valuable addition to the team and our board (of directors) unanimously approved his inclusion.”
Shinichi Suzuki, the Filipino-Japanese who won low amateur honors in the Smart Infinity PH Open last month, will continue to be Southwoods’ biggest gun as Eastridge tries to chop the Carmona-based squad down with a team spearheaded by Jeff Lumbo.
Seniors play gets the 76th edition of the Interclub going on Feb. 10 at tree-lined Marapara and bending Binitin with Del Monte seeking a repeat.
