RP Amateurs golf lures stellar field

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Amateur Golf Championships presented by Samsung has drawn a high-powered cast of the best and rising stars from the men’s and ladies ranks, ensuring a spirited battle for top honors when the event is held beginning tomorrow at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.

For one, the ICTSI-Cangolf squad is fielding in its A-team headed by defending champion Mhark Fernando and Cangolf Open titlist Jhonnel Ababa as they gear up for another week-long showdown of shot-making and putting skills with their counterparts from the ICTSI-The Country Club side bannered by Peter Villaber and JR Tanpinco.

Fernando, who routed Korean Jeung Hun Wang, 5&4, in last year’s finale at Eastridge, will be coming off a stint in the Bonnalack Trophy in India and is expected to be in tip-top form when he goes for a second straight victory in the country’s premier championship.

Ababa, on the other hand, is currently defending his title in the Sabah Amateur Open and should also be in great shape when he opens his bid for a first RP Am crown in the event organized by National Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by Titleist, Mizuno, Crestlink, A Round of Golf, Wow Magic Sing, Inquirer Golf Monthly and BCLN, as official clothing.

Also in the fold are other members of the five-peat champ ICTSI-Cangolf squad in the PAL Men’s Interclub, including World Am veteran Jerson Balasabas, Art Arbole, Paul Echavez and Jobim Carlos, who just ruled the centerpiece division of the Junior World Qualifier at Southwoods.

 Miguel Tabuena, a revered name in the jungolf ranks, has also joined the ICTSI-Cangolf team and will be one of the players to watch in the event, which drew 80 players in the men’s division, 21 in women’s category and 11 in seniors play.

Though depleted by the loss of former stalwarts Antonio Asistio II and Rufino Bayron, who have joined the pro ranks, the ICTSI-TCC squad remains a force to reckon with in the tournament backed by Custom Clubmakers, Gargol, ABW Leaves, N-Lyte, Carn-UTI, Dynamic Sports, International Armoring and Bluemansion.

They include former Hong Kong Am Open champion Dante Becierra, Erwin Madrileno, Justin Limjap, Alexes Nallos, Brent Sumampong, Sonny Villaber and Dino Villanueva.

Chihiro Ikeda, Anya Tanpinco and Carmelette Villaroma head the ladies side featuring Thailand’s No. 1 Yupaport Kawinpakorn and Del Monte’s Eva Miñoza, Kristen Leonen, Pamela Soriano and Marife Jarales.

The organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. said the top 32 players from the men’s group, the top 16 from the ladies category and eight from the seniors side after the 36-hole stroke play qualifying on April 28-29 will advance to the match play phase of the event.

Iggy Clavecilla and Richie Garcia lead the cast in the seniors division, which also includes local bets Macky Bienes, Nonoy Dulfo, Art Gacasan, Bert Langamin and Pili Sison.

 Two rounds in the men’s event will be played in the first day of match play on April 30 with the winners advancing to the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds on May 1. Winners will slug it out for the championship, another 36-hole duel, on May 2.

The seniors will have their quarterfinals on April 30 where the ladies will also dispute berths in the Last 8. The semis of the seniors and the ladies are also slated on May 1 with the finals set on May 2.