3 top pros add flair to Sta Elena Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Professional standouts Rick Gibson, Angelo Que and Guido Van der Valk will add flair to the Sta. Elena Cup when they join an amateur-laden field assembled for the prestigious member-guest tournament slated Jan. 18-22.

Dutchman Van der Valk, an Asian Tour regular and a Sta. Elena member, is partnering with Gibson while former Philippine Open champion Que is the guest partner of amateur Jet Mathay as the three continue their buildup for their professional campaigns this season.

The teams of the three pros, however, are not eligible to win any of the divisions and will instead be treated as “special entrants” to the  event sponsored by Lexus, Royal Carribean, Singapore Airlines and Sta. Elena Properties, Inc.

The other sponsors are Canon, SAP, Mizuno, TourMaster, Club Car, Yamaha, Asia Brewery, Novellino, Selecta and Chivas Regal.

Lexus Manila, Inc. is giving away a Lexus CT200h worth at least P2.3 million for the first hole-in-one on either the second or 14th holes as the main prize for an ace.

For the other prizes, Royal Caribbean is staking a cruise on the 17th hole, a Taylor Made Super Launch Iron set is on offer on Nos. 2 and 7, a Club Car on No. 7, a Mizuno T-Zoid set on the Nos. 14 and 17 and a Yamaha cart on the 17th.

The 280 teams will be led by the defending champion team of Tommy Manotoc and Martin Lorenzo. Club officials headed by Bryan Cockrell, Edward Tiu and Rico Tantoco are also bringing their respective partners into the competition.

Daily tee-offs from Wednesday are at 7 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.