Ilusorio Cup starts today

BAGUIO CITY — When it comes to a truly holiday golfing experience in this cool and windy city, everything pales in comparison with the staging of the much-awaited sixth Nanoy Ilusorio Cup which fires off today at the short and challenging par-61 course of the Baguio Country Club.

Organizers said what sets apart the Ilusorio Cup from the rest is the presence of a butler in every hole, who, in turn, will be offering free flowing champagne to the expected 200 participants of the annual tournament.

The field, composed mostly of local and Manila-based members and other guests of BCC, will also be vying for the individual honors and raffle prizes to be given away in the annual golfest held every yearend in honor of club chairman emeritus Potenciano "Nanoy" Ilusorio.

Wilson Sports, Dunlop Slazenger Group, Prudential Guarantee, Eco-Green, Werdenberg International, San Miguel Corp., RizGolf, BPI, Philam-Life, Euro-Swiss, Barrington Carpets and Will Decena and Associates are the sponsors.

BCC Board members headed by president lawyer Federico Agcaoili, general manager Anthony de Leon and golf director Shin-Paul Chan are expected to lead the ceremonial tee-off together with Representative Mauricio Domogan, Mayor Braulio Yaranon and Vice Mayor Peter Rey Bautista.

"This is our way of thanking our members and friends for continuously supporting the club in all its activities, most especially the BCC’s Centennial Celebration last February. We look forward to a fun-filled round of golf," Agcaoili said.

Last year’s overall champion engineer Bernard Balatian, Jeff Young (Class A), Bong Tabora (Class B), Linda Vickers (ladies), Marion Lardizabal (seniors), Harvey Robles (dependents) and Andrew Eden (guests) will be back to defend their titles in the event, which will use the handicap format for the men, ladies and senior golfers, medal play for members’ dependents and System 36 for sponsored guests.