Mabuhay Miles Elite invitational draws big field

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite – A strong field of over 500 golfers, comprising company presidents, top professionals, and other captains of business and industry, will tee off this Friday for the 2008 Mabuhay Miles Elite Invitational at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club here.

Dubbed “A Gripping OpportiniTee,” the one-day tournament will be held for the third straight year at the sprawling Eagle Ridge compound, the largest golf facility in the country.

To accommodate the large turnout, three of Eagle Ridge’s four world-caliber championship courses will be utilized for the tournament.

Competition will be in four handicap divisions for the men plus the ladies division. Class A and the ladies will play at the Dye course, Classes B and D will tour the Faldo course, while Class C will tackle the Norman course.

The 18-hole event – an annual gathering of Elite and Premier Elite members of Mabuhay Miles, the frequent-flyer program of Philippine Airlines – will be played under the System 36 handicapping format.

Among the confirmed players are Oscar Reyes, chairman of Pilipinas Shell; William Gatchalian, chairman of the Wellex Group; Alan Knox, president of Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals; Cebu’s Justin Uy, president of Profood International Corp.; and Davao’s Guilbert Go, chairman of Mintrade Corp.

Last year, businessman Augusto de Jesus edged former champion Tom Culligan of Los Angeles by a stroke in a thrilling duel to emerge overall champion with a net 67. Culligan settled for the low gross crown.