THE Country Club team, which was made up of players from the International Container Terminal Services Inc.?s amateur stable, owns a reputation as one of the game?s fiercest competitors, winning a record 68 titles last year.

So when TCC wound up at second place in the recent 62nd Philippine Airlines Interclub, many golfers expressed a profound sense of surprise because it probably had the best triumvirate in national team players Ferdie Aunzo, Tonlits Asistio and Rufino Bayron.

?That?s how golf is. One can?t just expect to join in every event and come out the winner. Even the world?s greatest golfers, including no. 1 Tiger Woods, hit rock bottom once in a while,? said TCC team captain Freddie Mendoza.

Mendoza, though, is not disappointed with his team?s finish. He knows that this is a very young squad and the invaluable experience learned this year would certainly guide them to create a winning formula for team play which is crucial in Interclub competition.

?It would have been great if we went all the way. We?ll be back stronger next year when we participate in the Cagayan de Oro edition of the Interclub,? Mendoza promised.

TCC actually targeted an Interclub success on its first try.  But it took runner-up honors instead as it finished just nine points behind Canlubang.  Del Monte, the 2004 winner, was awarded second runner-up. Manila Southwoods followed at fourth spot. Adrian Flores