Asistio, Bayron debut in ICTSI Sherwood

MANILA, Philippines - Former national team mainstays Antonio Asistio II and Rufino Bayron hope to make an immediate impact on their pro debut as they join the title hunt in the P1 million Philippine Golf Tour-ICTSI Sherwood Hills Golf Classic beginning March 17 at the Sherwood Golf and Country Club in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Although they have pitted skills and talents with the pros during their amateur days, it will be an entirely different challenge for Asistio, 20, and Bayron, 28, who have backstopped a number of national teams to various international competitions, including the SEA Games, the Putra Cup, Nomura Cup and the World Amateurs.

But the former mainstays of the ICTSI-The Country Club team feel they are now ready for big-time golf although they will be up against a stellar field that includes the hottest player on the tour today as well as the country’s premier shotmakers who are on a break from the tough Asian Tour campaign.

Elmer Salvador, the reigning Philippine Open champion, heads the chase for the top P200,000 purse in the 54-hole tournament, organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., with the Davaoeño shotmaker eyeing a second straight victory after ruling the ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat last month.

The reticent Davaoeño shotmaker, also the Order of Merit winner of the Philippine Golf Tour, is coming off a big victory in last month’s ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat and is tipped to contend for the crown at Sherwood which he also ruled last year.

Others joining the title hunt in the tournament, backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV and Golf Punk, are Juvic Pagunsan, Tony Lascuña, Artemio Murakami, Mars Pucay, Jun Bernis, Ferdie Aunzo, Jerome Delariarte, Orlan Sumcad, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Rey Pagunsan, Danny Zarate, Robert Pactolerin, Bayron and Magada.

But focus will be on Asistio and Bayron, whose form and mental toughness will be tested in the tournament backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV and Golf Punk.

Meanwhile, the traditional pro-am tournament, featuring ICTSI officials and their guests from the government and private sectors, will be held on March 16 with fabulous prizes and raffle items at stake.

The country’s leading amateurs, headed by ICTSI-Cangolf bets Mhark Fernando and Jhonnel Ababa and ICTSI-The Country Club mainstays Peter Villaber, Erwin Madrileno and Dante Becierra, will also see action in the event as part of their buildup for various international competitions.