THE Solaire Philippine Open, Asia’s oldest National Open, braces for its milestone Centennial staging with a record purse staked and an elite international cast tipped to slug it out on Feb. 28-March 3 at The Country Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Last year’s champion Steve Lewton of England, who edged American Johannes Veerman in a playoff, will be back to defend the crown, along with the other past winners of the country’s premier championship, including local aces Miguel Tabuena, Angelo Que, Frankie Miñoza and Robert Pactolerin among others, guaranteeing four days of world class shotmaking at what has been considered as the country’s toughest course.
“It’s Asia’s oldest National Open and this one is special as the Open will be holding it’s 100th year,” said Thomas Arasi, president and CEO of Solaire Resort and Casino, which is bankrolling the record purse of $600,000, during yesterday’s launch of the blue-ribbon event at Waterside Restaurant of Solaire.
“That’s what Solaire is all about – creating meaningful events and milestones,” added Arasi.
Others who graced the event were Caloy Coscolluela, president of the National Golf Association of the Philippines, NGAP treasurer Al Panlilio and Colo Ventosa, general manager of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
Robert Pactolerin, who ruled the Open in 1990 in Puerto Azul, was also in attendance along with Tony Lascuña and Jay Bayron, multi-titled pros who will be bidding for their first Phl Open crown.
Tabuena, who topped the rain-shortened Open in 2015 in Tarlac, and 2008 champion Que were in Singapore for the Singapore Open this week.
“We expect all of them to be here for the Open,” said Ventosa, who is also referring to Aussie Marcus Both and Singaporean Marmad Mamat, winners at Wack Wack in 2014 and 2012, respectively, and American Berry Henson, who nipped Bayron on the final hole to reign in 2011, also at Wack Wack.
While the foreign bets dominated the last five editions of the event (there was no Open in 2013 and 2016), Panlilio said he hopes a Filipino wins the coveted crown again this year while stressing the need for the local aces to measure up with the level of competition.
“But that can only be done (improve level of play) if we support NGAP and PGT. Then we can give opportunities to golfers. By giving exposure, training and competition, magle-level up ang Filipinos,” said Panlilio, also the team governor of Meralco in the PBA and president of the MVP Sports Foundation, a long-time support of golf.
Meanwhile, Lascuña is confident of finally adding the Phl Open to his vast trophy collection but expects a tough outing from a talent-laden field.
“I really wanted to win this one and I like my chances this year,” said Lascuña, who racked up three victories in last year’s Philippine Golf Tour.
Bayron also expressed confidence of finally scoring a breakthrough after a near-miss at WW, saying: “Everybody has a chance here, especially at TCC and we always prepare hard for the Open.”
