Pagunsan heads Cangolf squad in RP amateurs

Juvic Pagunsan heads the crack Cangolf squad in the Philippine Amateur Golf Championship with the many-time spearhead of the national team heavily fancied to run away with the championship when the annual event is staged June 1-6 at the quaint Villamor Golf Club.

Fresh from his joint fifth-place finish in the recent Julio Cup, a pro tournament also held at Villamor, Pagunsan is likewise coming off a triumphant stint in the tough Bonnalack Trophy Cup in Rome last month where he helped power the Asia-Pacific squad to the victory over Europe in a Ryder Cup-style championship.

Pagunsan also emerged as the best Filipino finisher — at joint second — in the DHL-Philippine Open in Riviera last February.

He will be joined in the event, conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and hosted by Villamor, by teammates Jun Bernis, the DHL Amateur winner, Samsung Tour titlist Jay Bayron and veteran campaigners Ronnie Torrecampo and Boyet Saragoza.

The youth brigade of Southwoods, which created a big impact in the recent PAL Interclub, is also in the fold, led by Gene Bondoc, Tonton Asistio, Mark Lopez and Michael Bibat, while former national team member Marvin Dumandan carries the Riviera colors in the tournament.

Over a hundred players are expected to compete in the six-day event, which will also put premium on stamina with the competing field to likewise contend with the fairways hardened by the torrid summer heat which should discourage aggressive plays.

Registration is still ongoing. Entry fee is pegged at P2,500 with free practice round on May 31. For details, call up NGAP (525-6987/524-5160) (521-1587-fax) or Villamor (853-4987/853-5047) (853-4988-fax).

The first two days will serve as the qualifying rounds and will be played under the stroke play format with the top 32 players advancing to the next round where play shifts from medal to match. The final will be a 36-hole duel ending on June 6.