All set for marathon 6-day, 6-leg golfest

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will launch the six-leg, six-day marathon golf tournament July 12 at the Villamor Golf Club in Pasay City with top Filipino pro golfers participating in what is considered the most grueling golf tournament in the country’s history.

Dubbed "Last Man Standing," the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) Golf Super Tour will cover five more golf courses for the next five days after its launch, namely: Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Batangas, Fairways and Blue Waters in Boracay, Sta. Barbara Golf Club in Iloilo, Marapara in Bacolod City and Del Monte Golf Club in Cagayan de Oro.

The country’s top 25 pro golfers, including former Philippine Open champions Cassius Casas and Robert Pactolerin, have signed up for the most awaited event in the golf circle today.

Alfonso Cusi, PPA general manager, said the SRNH Golf Super Tour will become a yearly event, emphasizing that starting next year, it will kick off either on the summer months of April or May.

"This event is actually for all our countrymen who may want to see how through this golf tournament, the Strong Republic Nautical Highway can help develop our sports industry," Cusi said.

Cusi added that other sports organizers may later on see how other sports events can relate to the significance of this vital shipping route linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Romulo Negrido, president of the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines (PGAP), said the SRNH Golf Super Tour is the most unique golf tournament in the country’s golfing history.

"It is also no doubt the most grueling golf tournament ever with six golf courses to be tackled in six days, notwithstanding the travels on board ships and buses from Luzon to Mindanao," Negrido said, adding that this is a historic event in golf "that will bring out the best especially in the country’s golfers."

Raul Santos, PPA assistant general manager for corporate affairs, said the tournament, which is scheduled to last until July 17, is also expected to draw other pro golfers willing to tackle the qualifying round on opening day.

"All pro golfers are invited to join but they will have to go through the qualifying round which is the Villamor leg of the tournament," Santos said.

He added that after the opening leg in Villamor Golf Club, only the top 40 pro golfers will be allowed to play for the rest of the tournament.

Santos said the SRNH Golf Tour is also open to amateurs but opted not to further divulge details which, he said, will be discussed during the press conference sometime next week.