Alta Vista X'mas golfest tees off

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 300 players are set to see action in the 2011 Christmas Fun Golf Classic of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club which tees off today at the par-72 course located on the hills of Pardo, this city.

Almost half of the field will be seeing action today while the remainder will tee off tomorrow for this two-day, 18-hole contest using the stroke play format.

Members will be grouped under classes A, B, and C aside from the ladies, seniors’ (55 to 69 years old), and super seniors (70 and above).

There will also be an open guest division.

The tournament is the second major event of the club for the year, the other being The View Invitational, which was played last June, the club’s signature tournament.

Several prizes are at stake for a hole-in-one with holes No. 2 and 13 designated as “fun holes” by the tournament committee headed by club director Vicente ‘Inting’ Go.

At stake for the two holes are P100,000 from the club, P300,000 in first bet coupons from Pagcor Lahug, P100,000 in first bet coupons from Pagcor-Mactan, and a motorcycle from Norkis Trading.

The bet coupons and motorcycle are also at stake in the three other par-3 holes.

Other hole-in-one prizes are a Kia Picanto from Kia Motors Cebu, a Club Car golf cart, a residential lot from Sta. Lucia Realty, a travel certificate from Marist Royal Holidays Travel and Tours, and hotel accommodation from Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

The car and the cart are at stake on the 8th while the lot, travel certificate and the hotel stay are designated on hole No. 15.

Entry fee for the tournament has been pegged at P2,700 per player.

Organizers said that the additional P200 will be given to charity, but no mulligans would be allowed.

Several charitable institutions, which would be announced during the award rites, would benefit from the additional assessment, which has been the practice for the past several years.

All participants will be getting specially-made belts with buckles that have been engraved with the Alta Vista logo, as well as several other items — a shirt, cap, mug, and towel all with the club logo emblazoned on them.

All participants who would attend the awards ceremony tomorrow are entitled to bring one guest. All players are also assured of winning in the minor raffles.

The awards ceremony will be held at the AVGCC ballroom. (FREEMAN)