Pro-am ushers in rich RP Masters

An 18-hole pro-am sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines will usher in the 17th staging of the Philippine Masters golf championship - one of the country's major tournaments for professionals - on May 3 at the Villamor Golf Club.

The top management of the sponsoring Mitsubishi Motors and the leadership of the Villamor Golf Council will host invited VIPs and sponsors' guests in the pro-am which traditionally kicks off the RP Masters, set May 4-7.

Aside from bankrolling the P200,000 pro-am pot, Mitsubishi Motors will also put at stake a special hole-in-one prize, a Lancer MX Automatic, for all pro-am participants.

A field of 40 pros will join 120 invited amateurs in the pro-am which will have the best-ball format applied to the team competition. There will be a separate stroke play individual event for the pros.

In the team tourney, the winning pro gets P20,000 while his amateur partner gets P10,000 worth of gift certificates. The low medallist among the pros will win P15,000.

"Mitsubishi has always been a traditional sponsor of the pro-am and we're glad to have them with us again this year which is the Millennial edition of the Masters," said Lt. Gen. Willie Florendo, commanding general of the Air Force ,who is also chair of the Villamor Golf Council.

Cassius Casas, Rodrigo Cuello, Robert Pactolerin and rookie Gerald Rosales have all confirmed their participation.

The organizing committee headed by Col. Nereo Andolong is also hoping that local star Frankie Miñoza can take a break from his Japan Tour campaign and join the cast.

"We're optimistic that Frankie will find a way to come over and once more lead the local challenge. We know that his schedule is quite tight at this time of the year but we hope to see him come tournament week," said Andolong.

Miñoza, who just played the Kirin Open, is actually the defending champion after winning the 1998 edition. Last year's Masters was not held since the course underwent a major renovation.

There will be at least 70 local pros competing with another 40 players coming from nine foreign countries. Most of the country's top amateurs have also been invited.

Villamor's golf operations staff is working double-time to put the course in best possible shape and suit the standards of an international cast.

The dry season may have hardened some fairways but Villamor's maintenance is made easy by the ample water supply coming from the adjoining villages.