Old Luisita spruced up for staging of Philippine Open

MANILA, Philippines – The 98th edition of the Philippine Open, Asia’s oldest and the country’s most prestigious championship, will unfold at the historic Luisita Golf Club Dec. 17-20.

The National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), owner of the Open franchise, is happy and thankful for the support extended by Martin Lorenzo of Central Azucarera de Tarlac, which operates Luisita, and Ricky Razon of presenter ICTSI for this year’s tournament.

All three organizations, in partnership with the Asian Tour, will be working hand- n hand to ensure the smooth operation of the Open, which is also sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, Smart, San Miguel Corp. and Amon Trading and backed by Ayala Land and Suntrust Properties.

“We want to end the year with a blast that’s why we are working double time now in our arrangements and planning.  The Open is important to us as it’s our living legacy in Philippine golf,” said NGAP president Carlos Coscolluela.

With only less than a week, Luisita’s demanding course is already in tip-top, championship shape and ready to take on the challenge of the expected full field of 132 players in this final tournament on the Asian Tour schedule, Coscolluela said.

The storied Philippine Open has celebrated many worthy champions in the past Larry Montes, Celestino Tugot, Ben Arda and Luis Silverio, who won as an amateur in 1966, and current stars Frankie Minoza and Angelo Que.