Lexus, luxury cruise staked in Sta. Elena Cup today

MANILA, Philippines - Two hundred seventy pairs will take aim at a Lexus RX350 worth P4.2 million, a Caribbean Cruise on board the world’s largest cruise ship and Omega watches in the Sta. Elena Cup golf tournament blasting off today in Cabuyao, Laguna.

All 540 participants of the member-guest tourney of the multi-awarded club will have four chances at the Lexus SUV which is at stake as a hole-in-prize on the second and 14th holes and two attempts at the 8-day, 7-night cruise on board the Oasis of the Seas ship of Royal Caribbean.

Omega is again providing six premium wrist watches and a wall clock to add fervor to the competition which is also supported by Baron Travel, Mizuno, L’Oreal, Camp John Hay, Kart Plaza/Yamaha, Sta. Elena Properties and Burger King

SEA Games double gold-medalist Chihiro Ikeda, national player Tonlits Asistio and national coach Tommy Manotoc are among the eminent guests whose teams are expected to figure well in the low gross race.

Ikeda is teaming up with Richie Garcia, Asistio is the partner of Jet Mathay and Manotoc is playing with Glen de Leon. They will be challenged by JP Reyes-Abe Rosal and Iggy Clavecilla and regular partner Mari Hechanova who will defend the low gross plum.

Clavecilla, who just reclaimed the club championship recently, spiked last year’s tourney with a record-setting 10-under 62, erasing Rosal’s previous mark of 63.

The Sta. Elena course, adjudged as among the top 100 courses outside the United States for the second time last year, will be in its best possible shape for the five-day affair.

It marks the first time that the Sta. Elena Cup is played early in the year as organizers felt this month’s weather is much better than its March schedule.