Tourney to change caddies’ fortunes; registration ongoing

Registration for the first National Caddies’ Open, a tournament that offers prizes unlike any in the world, will now be accepted with the deadline set Jan. 18.

Regular male caddies in any golf club in the country may coordinate with management of their respective mother clubs starting this week for nomination forms.

Tournament co-chairpersons Benjamin Abalos and Hermie Esguerra are expecting the list to easily top a hundred players, who will vie for prizes that will change their lives forever.

Tommy Manotoc, chairman of the organizing Philippine Amateur Golf Development Foundation, and event executive director Tony Arevalo will screen the entries.

"Starting this year, deserving caddies will see their fortunes change," said Abalos, a former bagman like Arevalo who both serve as inspirations of the tournament.

Applicants should be no more than 35 years old on the last day of the tournament, of good moral standing carrying a handicap of six and below and must be willing to train religiously for the next two years.

There will be no limit to the number of entries for each golf club provided that applicants pass the qualifications set by the screening committee.

The tournament is set over 72 holes on Feb. 1-4, with the first 36 holes to be held at the Calatagan Golf Club in Batangas, the third round at Canlubang North and the final 18 at Wack Wack East.

The champion and the next two placers of the event will be asked to take leaves of absence from their mother clubs as the NCO will fund and train them for the next two years.

A monthly allowance, free board and lodging at the Calatagan for the players and their families, and training under the watchful eyes of swing guru Bong Lopez await the top three placers.

They will also be supplied with the most modern equipment and be made to play in every major amateur tournament here and overseas, all through the efforts of the organization.

The vision of the National Caddies’ Open is to be able to come up with the talent that will be worthy of spots to future Philippine teams, with the organizers believing the talent to be in the caddies’ pool.

World Amateur veteran Dave Hernandez will answer all inquiries at tel. nos. (0917) 8425275, (0917) 8425257. Filled-up entry forms can be faxed through (0919) 5470619 or sent by courier to the Calatagan Golf Club in Batangas.