Men’s golf team coach Tommy Manotoc (right) discusses strategy with team members during their survey of the newly-built course for the Laos Southeast Asian Games competitions. (Photo by ALBERT GARCIA)

VIENTIANE, Laos — Filipino golfers, out to bounce back from a gold medal shutout two years ago in the Southeast Asian Games, played the newly-built course for the first time Tuesday and agreed that the 7,110-yard layout is there for the taking.

“Definitely, a scoring course,” said Tommy Manotoc, coach of the men’s squad. “The greens are perhaps the only thing that can provide a real challenge.”

Manotoc, however, noted that it is important to drive well to be able to set up a good approach shot.

“They have to put their tee shots on the right place,” Manotoc said.

Bong Lopez, who handles the women’s team, echoes Manotoc’s observation.

“From the ladies’ tee, the course appears to be short,” Lopez said.

The Filipinos arrived Monday night and did not waste time to get the feel of the venue.

Constructed at a cost of $19 million, the SEA Games Golf Club will play host to the four-day event starting on Thursday.

The shortest hole on the course is the 166-yard, par-3 No. 16 while the longest is the 605-yard, par-5 No. 11.

To everyone’s surprise, the greens are receptive.

“Normally, a new course would have greens that are hard. But this one is surprisingly soft,” Manotoc said.

A powerhouse men’s team composed of reigning national champion Mark Fernando, Jonnel Ababa, Jude Eustaquio, and Tonlits Asistio is eyeing a sweep of the individual and team divisions.

The inclusion of the United States-based Eustaquio has boosted the chances of the team.

“I still believe that luck plays a role in the team event. Huwag lang magsabay-sabay ang sama ng laro. You can shoot a 79 and hit a 67 on the next day,” said Manotoc, many-time member of the national team.