Sta. Lucia Amateur Tournament of Champions unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - Brian Kim headlines the compact roster of leg winners in the Sta. Lucia Amateur Open Series, which holds its final event – the Tournament of Champions – beginning today at the Beverly Place Golf Club in Pampanga.

Kim made it to the finals of the elite Open by topping the Davao leg of the circuit at Rancho Palos Verdes recently. But he will be facing a tough field led by two-time winner Rupert Zaragosa and fellow Korean Park Min-ung for the overall crown.

Also at stake is an all-expense paid trip, courtesy of Sta. Lucia Land, and a berth in the Hong Kong Amateur Open set Sept. 22-25 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

Laia Barro and Maricel Kim, teeing off at 7:30 a.m., will duel for the ladies Class A plum in the event sponsored by Wilcon Depot, Pomelo Tee, Davies Paints, Mizuno and Kang Ho Bong.

Jung Kyung-young, Edcel Opulencia, TJ Benitez and Jerico Bajo are in the 7:40 a.m. men’s class A flight followed by the Class B quartet of Kim Bong-suk. Walter Lacuesta, Riane Cosquejo and Kang Ho Bong.

The battle for the seniors crown is also expected to be fierce with Lee Tong-hwa and Nestor Sevilla leading the field that also includes Fernando delos Reyes and Jaime Tan Sr.

Other backers of the event, headed by tour chair Vince Santos, are Interconnect Systems, Alpha Quality Express, Dizon, Ecostrong, Texas Eagle, Isuzu Phils., Rub Rubs & BBQ, VMJ Evergreen, U-Freight, Microtel by Wyndham and WGC Golf.