Singaporeans join WWWEx-DHL Am title race

MANILA, Philippines - Four Singaporeans have confirmed participation in the WWWEx-DHL Amateur Golf Championships slated Feb. 8-11, ready to do battle with the top local players and re-claim the crown won by Quincy Quek in 2009 at the north course of the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

Gregory Foo and Jerome Ng, two of Singapore’s leading amateurs, and Benedict Ho and Koh Deng Shan will be among the favorites in the star-studded roster chasing the crown in the 16th staging of the annual tournament, long considered as one of the country’s premier amateur championships.

Also joining the event is Jordan Surya Irawan of Indonesia.

Quek, the former Singapore amateur champion, outlasted Ferdie Aunzo in a classic six-hole playoff in gathering dusk to capture the 2009 crown with Foo, Ng and company vowing to duplicate the feat next month, according to Singapore coach Kim Baldwin.

But they will have to contend with a crack local crew, headed by Asian Games silver medalist Miguel Tabuena and last year’s runner-up Jerson Balasabas of the ICTSI-Cangolf squad and the mainstays of the ICTSI-The Country Club team headed by Peter Villaber and former Hong Kong Am winner Dante Becierra.

Meanwhile, deadline for registration is set on Feb. 4 at 5 p.m., according to NGAP. Fee is pegged at P2,500 for men and P2,000 for women, inclusive of a practice round. For details, contact NGAP at (02) 5179778/5577849 or fax (02) 706-5926 or e-mail at [email protected] or Cangolf office at (049) 549-1363.

Jhonnel Ababa beat Balasabas by three to win the crown last year but Ababa and former national champion Mhark Fernando have joined the pro ranks late last year, making this year’s title chase a wide open one.

Also fancied to contend for the title in the 72-hole event sponsored by WWWExpress and DHL are Jobim Carlos, Zanieboy Gialon, Brent Sumampong, Art Arbole, Alex Nallos and Paul Echavez.

Focus will also be on the ladies side with Chihiro Ikeda and Dottie Ardina looming as the players to watch in the 54-hole tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Ikeda is seeking a fourth straight crown and a follow-up to her recent Philippine Ladies Amateur Open title romp at the nearby The Country Club although Ardina is out to get back at her ICTSI teammate.