MANILA, Philippines - Seventy-five players, including 64 pros, are vying for berths in this year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour in the three-day PGT Qualifying School which got under way yesterday at Tat Filipinas Golf Club in Laguna.
Dan Cruz, Peter Miñoza, Edgar Ababa and Demetrio Sanchez head the aspirants in the 54-hole elims with those scoring 152 or better after 36 holes advancing to the final round where they will be ranked according to their scores.
The top 20 players after the final round will be assured of spots in this year’s ICTSI-PGT circuit which fires off March 14 at Splendido in Tagaytay.
The Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. (PGTI), which organizers the ICTSI-PGT, is conducting the Q-School to give those who finished outside the top 60 in last year’s Order of Merit ranking another chance to compete in this year’s circuit.
It is also designed to further raise the level of play and at the same time develop the sport in the country with Juvic Pagunsan, last year’s ICTSI-PGT OOM winner, underscoring local golf’s gains by emerging the No. 1 player on the Asian Tour last year.
Others seeking berths in the circuit are Ramon Brobio, Edwin Estrera, Raul Miñoza, Jesselito Saragoza, Jojo Cruz, Venjo Reyes, Hanson So Jr., Gene Villaruz, Jett Plete, Solomon Gines, Eddie Bagtas, Joel Pilac, Anthony Balan, Dino Villanueva, Lino Retuerto, Danny delos Santos and Sonny Villaber.