Corporate Cup golf unfolds at John Hay

MANILA, Philippines - The chase for golfing honors among the country’s top corporations begins today with a record 300 players from 78 teams slugging it out in the Camp John Hay Suites 21st Philippine Corporate Cup at Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio.

Focus will be on Camp John Hay Development Corp., which hopes to come up with a strong start on a team built around Monet Garcia, Thirdy Escano, Freddie Mendoza and Shean Bedi for the needed momentum in its title-repeat bid in Division I of the 36-hole tournament.

Out to foil its bid are Toyota Dagupan, Fil-Estate Urban, Ricoh Phils., Philippine Sports Commission, CJH Suites 2, Ricoh Phils., Rizgolf I and 2, Congressman’s team, Subic 1, Sirenza 1 and 2, BPI Northern Luzon, Esicor Fairways and Bluewater, Subic Bay Golfers Association, Ropali Benlife Golf Team, Baguio Full Force and Petron Rev-X.

Others seeking back-to-back title romps in the event, sponsored by Rudy Project, Golforce, Inc., Club Leisure Management Corp., Rizgolf Sports Marketing, CJH Manor Hotel, Fil-Estate Urban Development Corp. and Warbird Securities and Investigation Agency, are Naktaynay, LNP Foundation and Dragon Travel and Tours in Divisions II, III and IV, respectively.

The four-to-play, three-to-count format event under Molave scoring system formally kicked off last night with traditional ceremonial tee off and the opening cocktails graced by some of the bigwigs in the corporate and business world.

The par-69 course, toughened up to its championship form, is expected to challenge the competing field with its tight fairways, unpredictable putting surface and rolling layout plus bunkers that come into play in key holes.

Meanwhile, organizers of the tournament, supported by Wilson Sports, Mizuno, Manila Southwoods, Sherwood Hills, Forest Hills, Boracay Sands, Fairways & Bluewater, Kork, Inc., Le Chef @ the Manor and Splendido Taal, said a bonfire street party will be held at 6 p.m. tomorrow at The Ark Park at John Hay after the final round. The awards nights is set Thursday at the CJH Suites lobby.