Saving Laguna Lake golf under way

MANILA, Philippines - Ferdie Aunzo, Richard Sinfuego and the country’s other top pros see action in the inaugural Saving Laguna Lake Pro-Am Invitational today and tomorrow at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.

Aunzo, fresh from his maiden victory in the ICTSI-Royal Northwoods Classic of the Philippine Golf Tour, teams up with Eastridge general manager Erwin Temena as they lead an expected roster of 60 teams in a fund-raising event for victims of tropical storm Ondoy.

“Now more than ever, a tourney like this will impart the message of reforestation and the overall protection of Laguna Lake which was also unmasked by Ondoy,” said Ed Manda, general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and chairman of the organizing committee.

The pro-am is a project for the Laguna de Bay Conservation Society that aims to raise additional funds and awareness.

Sponsors have responded to the call and the country’s pros have also agreed to join the cause with 11 of the top 20 players in the local rankings confirmed to participate.

The winner will receive P100,000 from the total P575,000 purse. The runner-up will get P70,000 while the third placer will receive P55,000.

A separate prize of P380,000 will go to the winning team in the pro-am side of the event which will have an aggregate format with the top four pairs assured of cash and merchandise. The winning pro in the pro-am gets P40,000 while his amateur partner gets the same amount in merchandise.

Among the teams to watch are Cassius Casas and national player Tonton Asistio of the ICTSI golf team, Cookie La’O and John Papa, Arnold Villacencio and RP team member Rufino Bayron and Jun Bernis and Joey Huerva.

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.