THE country’s top amateur players take the
spotlight this month when they compete for honors in the 13th
DHL-WWWExpress National Amateur Golf Championships unfolding
Jan. 29 at the north course of the Canlubang golf complex in
Laguna.
Jay Bayron and Dottie Ardina, who romped
away with the men’s and ladies crowns last year, will not be
around to defend their crowns, with the former joining the pro
ranks and the latter on a golfing scholarship abroad.
The depth of the competing field remains as
talent-laden as ever with members of the ICTSI and Calatagan
teams out to outclass each other for the coveted crowns.
Deadline of submission of entries is on
Jan. 25. Entry fee is pegged at P2,500 for men and P2,000 for
ladies, inclusive of one free practice round on Jan. 28.
Anthony Fernando, the reigning national
amateur champion, heads the ICTSI squad that includes last
year’s runner-up Rufino Bayron and SEA Games veteran Ferdie
Aunzo, while Jhonnel Ababa and Mark Fernando, also veterans of
the SEA Games, lead the Calatagan side.
Anya Tanpinco, silver medalist in the last
SEA Games and runner-up to Ardina last year, is tipped to lead
the ladies cast along with Cyna Rodriguez, Regina De Guzman
and Chihiro Ikeda.
The organizing National Golf Association of
the Philippines is inviting other players to join the
tournament, a 72-hole stroke play competition for the men’s
and a 54-hole tourney for the ladies. The event is open to men
and ladies amateurs with handicap indices of 0-7 for men and
0-10 for women.
The NGAP has also invited Singapore,
Indonesia and Malaysia to field entries. Should they join, a
three-to-play, two-to-count team competition will be held with
the best squad after 54 holes winning the championship.
