Top amateurs compete in Aboitiz invitational

MANILA, Philippines - A bumper crop of amateurs sees action in the Aboitiz Cebu Country Club Invitational, ready to do battle against the country’s leading pros in the P1 million event which reels off tomorrow at the Cebu Country Club in Cebu City.

Reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla, former titlist Mhark Fernando and former national team mainstays Jhonnel Ababa, Jerson Balasabas, Dante Becierra and Peter Villaber of the ICTSI golf stables make the core of what appears to be the most talented amateur roster to compete on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.

They are actually the leading players set to clash for berths in the national squad vying for at least three big events abroad this year, making the 54-hole tournament a tune-up of sort for the RP team aspirants.

Also in the fold are Sonny Villaber, Zanie Boy Gialon, Justin Limjap, Erwin Madrileño, Art Arbole, John Kier Abdon, Gio Gandioco, LJ Go, Carl Almario, Eric Deen, Montito Garcia, Jovi Neri, Bayani Garcia, Marko Sarmiento, Gen Nagai and Chepe Dulay.

Some of them are also teeing off in today’s pro-am tournament, which actually kicks off the 10th leg of the ICTSI-PGT circuit sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures and presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Fernando was the last amateur to have won a pro tournament, dominating the field to rule the ICTSI-Riviera Invitational under tough condition last year.

Slowed down by a shoulder injury, Fernando missed a couple of tournaments this year and struggled in the last leg at ICTSI-Del Monte although he remains the player to beat among the group in the upcoming tournament.

Unlike in his Riviera feat, however, Fernando and his fellow amateurs see a tougher outing this time with majority of the big guns coming into the event in top form following a series of local and international tournaments.

They include leg winners Juvic Pagunsan, Artemio Murakami, Mars Pucay, Elmer Salvador, Marvin Dumandan and Benjie Magada along with Ferdie Aunzo, Jay Bayron, Antonio Asistio II, Rufino Bayron, Richard Sinfuego, Jun Bernis, Elmer Saban, Michael Bibat, Gene Bondoc, Anthony Fernando, Jerome Delariarte, Omar Dungca, Cookie La’O, Rey Pagunsan, Carito Villaroman, Danny Zarate and former RP Open champion Robert Pactolerin.

But focus will be on Angelo Que, fresh from his Selangor Masters victory, and Frankie Minoza, who is making a rare appearance on the local circuit backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Business Mirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.