Southwoods Open starts; Casas leads cast

After practically going tournament-less last season, the men of the tour resume their hunt for fame and fortune in what they hope to be the start of another successful golf circuit which begins today with the staging of the MRT-Southwoods Open at the Masters Course of the Manila Southwoods in Carmona, Cavite.

Cassius Casas, choosing to become part of the revival of the pro circuit than competing in a richer tournament in the Asian PGA Tour, leads the 60-man roster of the P700,000 three-in-one event kicking off a four-leg circuit sponsored by Metro Rail Transit, College Assurance Plan, Camp John Hay Development Corp., and the Fil-Estate Group of Companies.

The pros tee off shotgun style at 8:30 a.m. as they go for extra prizes with their amateur partners, including celebrities, dignitaries and corporate executives, for the pro-am side event to be held in the first two days.

"Happy days are definitely here again for our local pros. The new tour is something we’ve worked out in consideration of the pros’ plight," said Robert John Sobrepeña, chair of the Fil-Estate Group of Companies.

Frankie Miñoza begged off from participating in the tournament he had wished to join in but strongly endorsed the staging of the new circuit just the same, stressing his fellow pros should make the most of the opportunity to prepare them for the Asian level.

"My only wish is that our local pros will take this chance with the right attitude. The competition abroad has become very tough and I’m really happy to hear that there’s a new tour with a long-term plan which is for the good of everybody," said Miñoza.

An organizing team formed by Sobrepeña will be conducting three more tournaments at the Fil-Estate’s championship courses with at least eight more events to be staged for the remainder of the year through the support of various corporate sponsors.

The pros will be vying for a top prize of P100,000 with prizes scaled down to 30th place. A separate prize package is at stake in the 36-hole CAP Seniors Challenge.

Unlike Casas, Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales opted to play in the $200,000 Thailand Masters also set to start today in Thailand, but the MRT-Southwoods Open field remains as talent-laden with Robert Pactolerin, Mars Pucay, Antonio Lascuña, Richard Sinfuego, Ruben Sasutil, Carito Villaroman and Ramon Brobio in the fold.

"Okay naman ang palo at wala akong nakikitang problema. Pero mahirap pa rin dahil lahat siempre gustong manalo," said Casas, who dominated the local tour from 1997 to 1999 before it was scrapped last year.

The pros played only four tournaments last year, making this week’s event a test of their competitiveness and preparation.

The new tour will be handled by APGA-related professional managers, led by tournament director Buddy Resurreccion who will be working side by side with Fil-Estate’s own potent workforce.

World Cup veterans Mario Siodina and Caloy Nival are the favored players in the seniors competition.