RP golf stars to see action in Aboitiz-CCC Invitational

CEBU, Philippines - The biggest names in Philippine golf will gather here next week for the 10th leg of the Philippine Golf Tour on Wednesday to Friday dubbed as the Aboitiz-Cebu Country Club Invitational.

Colo Ventosa, general manager of the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., said yesterday that all the top players in the order of merit are due here along with 80 or more other professionals, who will be vying for the top prize of P200,000 and the total of P1 million in prize money.

Ventosa said that there would also be a pro-am event that would pair one professional with a team of three amateurs.

Sebastian Lacson, Chief Reputation Officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, said that he hopes to see Cebu support sporting activities like this.

He said that the course will be open to those who would like to join the gallery and watch the pros.

The press launch was also graced by 21-year-old Tonlits Asistio, the youngest pro in the country today, as well as three-time tour winner Marvin Dumandan of Davao City.

Asistio, who is currently ranked number 22 in the order of merit, turned professional only last March after competing in the Pal Interclub.

Juvic Pagunsan, who leads the order of merit, is expected to lead the field next week along with Angelo Que, who both have wins in the Asian Tour.

Ventosa said that the effort of Enrique Razon, the top man of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. to develop as pool of amateurs has also helped a lot in bringing in new talent to the professional ranks.

This elite amateur pool has also breached the gap between competing in the age group or jungolf level to the professional ranks.

For the Cebu leg, Aboitiz has poured in a total sponsorship package of P2.5 million.

Ventosa cited the support of Aboitiz as a key in bringing the event to the Queen City of the South, which has not hosted a professional tournament for several years now.

She also said that they hope that Cebu would become a regular stop of the PGT, which also serves as a stepping stone for our golfers to compete in bigger events and the Majors – Masters, British Open, US Open and PGA Championship – in the future.

The PGT is now one of the largest golf circuits in Southeast Asia. - THE FREEMAN