ICTSI-RP pro golf tour resumes at Apo July 1-3

MANILA, Philippines - Local pros come out of a two-month break to resume their hunt for golfing supremacy as the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour stages the Apo Golf Invitational on July 1-3 at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City.

Marvin Dumandan defeated fellow Davaoeño Elmer Salvador by two strokes at Apo late last year when ICTSI, also the chief backer of junior and amateur golf the last five years, staged a three-leg tour as a prelude to this year’s pro circuit.

Dumandan went on to post a 1-2 finish in the first two legs of the 2009 tour, including a victory at ICTSI-Eagle Ridge last April, making him the player to watch in the upcoming 54-hole tournament.

But to score a repeat at Apo, the power-hitting Dumandan will have to contend with a crack field bolstered by the presence of Asian Tour regulars Juvic Pagunsan, Artemio Murakami, Tony Lascuña and Mars Pucay, making the chase for the top P200,000 wide open.

“Those with Asian Tour cards should be the favorites here,” said Dumandan, referring to Pagunsan and company who are on a mid-season break from the Asian Tour.

Still, Dumandan remains upbeat of his chances in the P1-million event serving as the third leg of a 10-stage circuit sponsored by ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.) and backed by MJ Carr Golf.

Meanwhile, a pro-am tournament will be held June 30 featuring a select cast of pros plus top officials of ICTSI and Apo and guests from Pisanti, The Country Club, Srixon, FAMI, Business Mirror, Motorola, Omnisource and Pepsico.

Also tipped to fight it out for top honors are local bets Jay Bayron, runner-up to Dumandan at Eagle Ridge, Cesar Ababa, Edgar Ababa, Cassius Casas, Elmer Saban and Elmer Salvador along with Robert Pactolerin, Jerome Delariarte, Rey Pagunsan, Rodrigo Cuello, Mario Labajo, Jonard Rates, Louie Dacudao and Danny Zarate, winner of the kickoff leg at Mt. Malarayat.

From Apo, the tour will shift to Cagayan de Oro the following week with the staging of the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship on July 8-10 while Forest Hills in Antipolo will host the fourth leg on Aug. 3-7 with the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic.

ICTSI, the world leader in port management, revived the local circuit with a three-leg tournament late last year and put up a P10 million, 10-stage tour this year in its continuing effort to help the pros and provide them a series of tournaments where they could hone their talent and skills.