South seeks repeat vs North in The Duel

MANILA, Philippines - The men of the tour take a break from chasing individual honors on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour as they compete in team play in The Duel – North vs South, local golf’s version of the Ryder Cup, on June 5-7 at the posh Alabang Golf and Country Club.

The South squad actually lost in the two-man team competition in the first two days but dominated the North team in the singles matches to post a 16-12 victory and rule last year’s inaugural staging of the event featuring the leading pros in the current ICTSI PGT Order of Merit ranking from the northern and the southern regions.

Ace Davaoeño shotmakers Tony Lascuña, the reigning OOM champion and winner of the ICTSI Calatagan leg, former OOM winner Elmer Salvador, John Hay leg champion Jay Bayron and Ferdie Aunzo will spearhead the Southerners’ title retention drive again in the second edition of the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

ICTSI Sherwood Hills leg winner and current OOM leader Miguel Tabuena, Mars Pucay, Carl Santos-Ocampo and Michael Bibat will banner the north squad along with Jun Bernis, Randy Garalde, James Ryan Lam, Joenard Rates, Benjie Magada, Gerald Rosales and Edward Reyes.

Play will be foursomes (alternate shot) and fourball (best ball) – four matches each – in the first two days with the singles – 12 matches – slated in the final day. The first team to win 14 1/2 points clinches the Duel crown, according to Colo Ventosa, general manager of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

A pro-am tournament will precede the Duel on June 3 with the leading pros teaming up with the amateur players from the sponsoring ICTSI and backers KIA, Ping, Nike Golf, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Pacsports, Callaway, Cleveland, FootJoy, Srixon, Titleist, Empire Golf and Sports Shop and Sharp.

Meanwhile, action on the ICTSI PGT, backed by media partners Balls TV, Impact, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource, resumes with the ICTSI Rancho Palos Verdes Classic on June 26-28 kicking off the Mindanao swing that includes the ICTSI Del Monte Championship on July 3-5 and the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship on July 10-12.

Cebu will next host the event on July 23-27 for the third ADT Aboitiz Invitational, another P2.5 million event which also serves as a leg of the Asian Development Tour.