RP Open kicks off ’07 Tour; WW defers renovation

Having secured another three-year pact with the Asian Tour to host the Philippine Open, Wack Wack decided to put off its planned renovation late this year to be able to stage the kickoff leg of the Asian Tour in January 2007.

Wack Wack president and Comelec chair Ben Abalos said all members of the club have welcomed the return of the fabled event starting this year and readily agreed to defer the refurbishment of the east course which will play host to Asia’s oldest and the country’s premier golf championship for the 42nd time May 25-28.

"We have actually scheduled the renovation of the course late this year but we have decided to defer it to accommodate the Philippine Open in 2007," said Abalos during yesterday’s press conference formalizing the designation of Wack Wack as host of this year’s Open.

Other officials present were Patrick Young, Asian Tour’s director for tour development, and NGAP (National Golf Association of the Phils.) vice president Danny Pizarro.

The Asian Tour, now the body in charge for the RP Open the next five years, is already finalizing its calendar for next year and has decided to give back the honors to open the season to the RP Open, which used to be the kickoff leg of the Asian Professional Tour.

With barely a month left for the 90th Open, Young promised to work hand-in-hand with Wack Wack to ensure the successful staging of the event which is expected to lure a talent-laden international field.

"We have been fast-tracking everything here since we agreed to host this event again, including the view deck that can accommodate up to 300 guests," said Abalos.

Wack Wack, one of the eight well-known golf clubs that resigned from the NGAP fold due to disagreement with the NGAP leadership and its policies, is back as an NGAP member, according to Pizarro.

This developed as the NGAP announced that 10 RP Open berths will be staked in the two-day qualifier slated May 2-3 at Villamor. The elims is open only to Filipino pros and amateurs with fee pegged at P3,000. For details, contact NGAP at 525-6987 or 524-5160 or Villamor 853-4978/79.

Wack Wack last hosted the RP Open in 2002 with Rick Gibson winning the championship. Cassius Casas was the last Filipino to have won the Philippine Open at Wack Wack in 2001.