Keen action seen as Midlands President’s Cup gets underway

The President’s Cup gets underway today at the wind-swept Tagaytay Midlands golf course with a promise of slam-bang action among its members, guests and VIPs who are vying for supremacy in five divisions in the annual tournament honoring its club president.

Organizers of the event said the 160 allotted slots have been filled up with more celebrities expected to show up, ensuring a successful and spirited chase for top honors in the one-day tournament, which also stakes a trip to the US for a hole-in-one feat.

Heading the list of participants are club president Jerry Tiu, chairman Benito Tan Guat and vice chairmen Willy Ocier and Hans Sy. Invited guests will be led by Philippine Sports Commission chair Eric Buhain and commissioner Ambrosio "Bong" de Luna.

Others seeing action are club members of both the Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club, Inc. and Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club and their spouses, dependents and guests.

The tournament will use the System 36 format with the field to be divided into five classes. The lowest 30 percent (gross scores) will make up Group I, the next 40 percent will comprise Group II and the last 30 percent Group III. The two other groups will be the ladies and guests divisions with the top three placers in all groups receiving fabulous prizes, including the low gross champion.

Designed by noted American golf architect Richard Bigler, the par-72 Midlands, which gives a picturesque view of Taal Lake, Laguna de Bay, Manila and Batangas Bays, Mounts Makiling and Banahaw, and the Island of Mindoro, will be as much tested as the competing field.

A Northwest Airlines world business class ticket to any destination in the US will also be given to the first player who will make a hole-in-one feat. If no player scores an ace, the NW ticket will be raffled off during the awards rites at the Midlands Veranda.

The President‚s Cup was launched in 1998 at the Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club until 2000 before Midlands, the second luxury golf resort and residential development of Belle Corp., took over the hosting chore the following year.

It also serves as a prelude to a series of club-sponsored tournaments namely: the Belle Cup on May 2-3 and the Club Championships in Oct. and Nov. at both Highlands and Midlands, and the Member‚s Merry Mix-Up on Dec. 6 at the Midlands.

The Highlands and Midlands boast of world-class sports and recreational facilities and first-class vacation homes, including a 48-seater funicular system, the only one of its kind in the country, which takes members from the Highlands to the Midlands in no more than four minutes.

Residential projects such as Pinecrest Village, the Villas, Belle View, Woodlands, Alta Mira and Lakeview Heights, have also been set up in the sprawling golf complex, thus making it a virtual golfer’s paradise.