Pros play for a cause in Laguna Lake pro-am

MANILA, Philippines - Local pros will play for money and a good cause when they compete in the inaugural Saving Laguna Lake Pro-Am Invitational on Oct. 8-9 at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.

The tourney will feature 72 pros and their respective amateur partners playing in an aggregate format with the amateur using 50 percent of his handicap in vying for the three group titles to be disputed.

Ed Manda, general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and chairman of the organizing committee, said that the pro-am is part of the fund-generating projects for the Laguna de Bay Conservation Society.

“We feel honored to be joined by the local golf pros in this conservation effort believing that more than playing for pay, they can also be agents of change,” he said.

A total of P575,000 are at stake in the individual competition where the top 30 will be awarded the bigger chunks of the prize money. A separate sum of P380,000 is allotted for the pro-am battle with the top four pairs assured of cash and merchandise prizes.

Teams will be grouped according to the following divisions: Open class for an amateur with a handicap index of 9.9 and below and his pro partner; Class A for an amateur with an index of 10-18 and his pro and Class B for an amateur with an index of 18.1 and above and his pro.

The pro-am is a much-needed boost to the growing number of pro events the bulk of which form the ICTSI-backed Philippine Golf Tour.

“We need as many tournaments that we can play in for us to stay in shape and this event being pushed by LLDA is most welcome since it is also in support of a movement,” said pro Rey Pagunsan.

For inquiries, please contact the PSMG at 710-7199, 710-5304, 212-5499 or 0917-8121265.