MANILA, Philippines - A P300,000 pot will be up for grabs in the inaugural leg of the revived Seniors Professional Golf Association of the Philippines (SPGAP) tour teeing off Feb. 27-29 at the Veterans Memorial Golf Club in Quezon City.
“We want not only to help our older professional golfers but also make an impact in the country’s golf industry, which is why we are reviving the seniors pro tour after an absence of three-and-a-half years,” said tour commissioner Darren Evangelista in yesterday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.
“Because the pro competition is now so stiff, we want a venue for our older pros who can still play to showcase their skills,” said SPGAP president Demy Saclot, who was also a guest in the session sponsored by Pagcor, Smart, and Shakey’s.
Saclot said that among those expected to see action in the 36-hole tourney following the pro-am competition on Feb. 27 are former golf greats Mario Siodina, Robert Pactolerin, Eleuterio “Caloy” Nival, Eddie “Boy” Bagtas and Robin Santuile.
“There will be two divisions in the event: the 60 years old and over Super Seniors and the 50-59 regular seniors competition,” Saclot said.
He added the tour will have eight stops, highlighted by the P2.5-million Asian Senior Masters Invitational scheduled Nov. 26-29 at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City.
Also slated are the Commissioners Cup at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club from March 26-28, Tito Rolly Invitational Tournament at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club (April 15-17), Seniors Pro-Am at the AFP Golf Club (July 23-25), Third Quarter Tournament at Villamor (Sept. 24-26), SPGAP Fourth Quarter and Christmas Tournament (Dec. 17-19).
Evangelista and Saclot, who were seated beside Games and Amusements Board (GAB) commissioner Aquil Tamano, also appealed to the GAB to help regulate their ranks so they could weed out bogus pros.
“We want the GAB to help us eliminate these golfers who claim to be pros but do not have the credentials to prove it,” Evangelista said.
Tamano said the GAB was more than willing to help the senior pro golfers in this cause.