Ababa begins title defense in Cangolf Amateur Open

Calatagan’s Jhonnel Ababa sets out as the player to beat in the ninth Canlubang Amateur Open Golf Championship which gets under way today at Cangolf’s north and south courses.

Ababa nipped Peter Villaber by two strokes to win last year’s crown with the reed-thin but power-hitting shotmaker tipped to lead the chase for the championship anew against a field toughened up by the presence of the ICTSI-backed players.

They include Putra Cup veteran Tonton Asistio, reigning Hong Kong Amateur Open champion Dante Becierra and former national champion Tonyte Fernando. Others in the fold are Art Arbole, Gino Bunyi, BJ Mendoza, Alex Nallos, Robert Elimada, JR Quiachon, Anthony Saban, Kevin Saclot, Brent Sumampong, Calatagan‘s Sunnyboy Gialon and Orchard’s Wolen Superal.

Sportsman Tommy Manotoc heads the field in the Championship II class, to be played in the last two days of the four-day tournament backed by Seamecor Inc., Nature’s Spring, Unilever Food Solutions, Zuellig Pharma Phils., Pacsports, Ayala Land Premier, Pisanti Golf, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and All Visual and Lights Systems.

The Turf Company-Texas Eagle is also offering prizes for hole-in-one feats on No. 4 at south course and No. 6 at north course while Club Car is also putting up a prize for an ace on south’s No. 8.

The fight for top honors in other divisions is also expected to be fierce with Jojo Enrile (Class A), Lee Hwon Woo (Class B), Bert Saludes (Class C), Baxo Adriano (Class D) and Sunshine Baraquiel (ladies) out to defend their respective crowns.

The class events, a 36-hole handicap competitions, will be played in the final two days of the four-day championship hosted by Cangolf.