Sherwood toughened up for Putra Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The Putra Cup field faces what could be its toughest test in years with the Sherwood Hills layout stretched to 7,300 yards and spruced up to championship form in time for the event beginning Thursday in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

With thick roughs and a sleek putting surface that could go as fast as 11 on the stimpmeter, the par-72 ravine-laced course is expected to bring out the best or worst from the competing field with the host hoping to cash in on the proverbial homecourt edge in ending a long title drought in the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship.

“It’s going to be tough for everyone to score here,” said Tommy Manotoc, president of the National Golf Association of the Phl, organizer of the annual event. “The course will demand precision and length from everyone. Our players will have a slight advantage because they know Sherwood so well. But they still have to come out with their A-games.”

The Philippines, the winningest team in the fold with 17 titles but which has not won since going back-to-back from 1995, will be led by reigning national champion Rupert Zaragosa with the NGAP tapping a pair of Fil-Ams in Rico Hoey and Jonathan delos Reyes and former Phl team mainstay Jobim Carlos to backstop the squad.

This will be the first big international event to be held at Sherwood Hills, also the NGAP’s official home.

Meanwhile, Regina de Guzman and Simone Hoey are both recovering from separate illnesses but will be ready in time for the start of the Santi Cup. Katrina Briones, another Fil-Am recruit, will be the third member of the ladies’ team.

The event is backed by the PLDT Amateur Golf Tour, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Golf Foundation, Department of Tourism, Asia Brewery, Turf Co., Sligo, Ping, Intramachineries Doosan, Suntrust, Crimson Hotel and Golf Depot.

Thailand remains the team to beat in the Putra Cup, a four-to-play, three-to-count format event, with the Thais looking for their 16th championship and 11 in the last 17 years.

The Thais are also tipped to dominate the Santi Cup, the ladies side of the event, although the Philippines is the defending champion in the individual competition which now pro Jayvie Agojo ruled last year in Jakarta.