International jungolf gets underway at WW

The fourth PLDT Philippine International Junior Golf Championship comes off the wraps today with 108 players from 15 countries and territories vying for individual and team honors.

Venue of the country’s foremost junior event for the second straight year is the challenging par 72 Wack Wack Golf and Country’s Clubs East Course in Mandaluyong City.

A colorful opening ceremony yesterday kicked off the 72-hole tournament organized by Philippine Junior Golf Federation president Edgardo Cantada.

Wack Wack Golf and Country Club president Ben Abalos was the guest speaker in the opening rites. Abalos, a noted senior golfer, welcomed all the participants and their parents.

By tradition, Cantada, who conceptualized the event and launched it in Bacolod City in 1998, declared the tournament open. Noted PBA sportscaster Ed Picson was master of ceremonies.

Aside from host Philippines, the countries competing are the United States, People’s Republic of China, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Guam, Sarawak, Sabah, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. is the tournament’s title sponsor.