Bigger Samsung Amateur Tour kicks off at Forest Hills

Nine exclusive clubs, nine cities and prizes hundreds of thousands worth.

Less than a year after it was launched, the numbers become many times bigger for the Samsung Amateur Tour and Putting Challenge as it spins off into a nationwide circuit that will ensure the participation of a bigger scope of Filipino golfers.

While traditional golf sponsors have slowed down on their promotions, Samsung is setting off a big bang with four legs in Luzon and five in key cities all over the country.

The venues are among the best in the country and Sang Youl Eom, president and CEO of the local Samsung distribution firm, made sure of that.

The series kicks off June 19-20 at Forest Hills, moves to Rancho Palos Verdes in Davao for the second leg July 10-11, then Pueblo del Oro in Cagayan de Oro Aug. 26-27, Negros Occidental in Bacolod Sept. 27-28, Alta Vista in Cebu Oct. 23-24, Camp John Hay in Baguio Nov. 13-14, Eastridge in Binangonan, Rizal Dec. 18-19, Tagaytay Highlands Jan. 22-23 before winding up at Mt. Malarayat Feb. 26-27.

Boy Blue Ocampo of the organizing Professional Sports Management Group said that the dates were timed to avoid the usual weather disturbances in Luzon in the middle of the year.

"The nationwide scheme was approved by Mr. Eom as a way of reaching out to regional markets which has contributed largely to Samsung’s consistently strong performance," said Ocampo during the launching at the Mario’s restaurant in Ortigas. "Now, not only players in Metro Manila will get as many chances to reach the finals but practically all golfers in the Philippines."

Held on separate dates last year, the 36-hole stroke play Amateur Tour and the unique Putting Challenge shall now be held at the same time.

Entries in the stroke play event will be vying for the Championship (handicaps 0 to 4.9), Class A (5-9.9), Class B (10-14.9), Class C (15 and above) for men and ladies Class A (0-9.9) and Class B (10 and above).

The Putting Challenge will pick finalists for each leg with the top two male amateurs, female amateur, junior golfer and senior golfer advancing.

Aside from the usual prizes, regional qualifiers will be awarded with free airfare from their respective points of origin as well as accomodations when they compete in the grand finals.

More than P200,000 in prizes will be awarded to tournament and raffle winners for each leg. A projector TV and DVD showcase will be at stake as a hole-in-one prize.

The complete schedule:

June 19-20 Forest Hills; July 24-25 Rancho Palos Verdes; August 26-27 Pueblo del Oro; September 27-28 Negros Occidental; October 23-24 Alta Vista; Nov.

13-14 Camp John Hay; December 18-19 Tagaytay Highlands January 22-23, 2004; February 26-27 Mt. Malarayat.