First Gentleman pro golf circuit launched

A new, scaled-down nationwide circuit that will send the long idled professionals back to competitive action is set to unfold in mid-October.

To be called the First Gentleman’s Professional Golf Circuit 2002-2003, the seed funding for the new tour was obtained from the proceeds of the recent First Gentleman’s Cup with the aim of bringing back to the local pros their livelihood.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and Comelec chair Ben Abalos, in the latter’s capacity as commissioner of the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines and as president of Wack Wack are taking the lead in the organization of the new tour which is tipped to have as many as 12 legs.

"Fund-raisers are meant to reach out to as many people and we believe that the pros who are having a hard time looking for sponsors should also be part of the vision of the First Gentleman’s Foundation," said Arroyo in yesterday’s press launching at Wack Wack.

Abalos announced that the circuit, jointly undertaken by the First Gentleman Foundation, Inc., the Federation of Golf Clubs Phils. Inc. and the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines, will have stops with minimum purses of P500,000.

The circuit will cover at least 12 legs in exclusive Metro Manila and Southern Luzon courses starting at Sta. Elena Golf Club down to the south where most of the touring pros are based. Other host venues being considered are Sherwood Hills, Sta. Barbara, Negros Occidental, Cebu Country Club, Pueblo del Oro, Zamboanga, Canlubang, Riviera, Southwoods and Orchard.

It will lead up to the dollar-denominated Wack Wack — Philippine Open, one of the early legs of the Davidoff tour tentatively set for March 6-9 with the biggest names in the Asian scene set to come.

"The prize money for the legs hopefully would become bigger when other sponsorships come in especially since most of our host venues are the country’s most exclusive clubs. We have the next two months to do that and we’re hoping to get the additional sponsors before the Tour gets going," said Abalos.