THE touring pros take time out from their chase of individual honors as they test their mettle in team play with their amateur partners in the Delimondo National Pro-am slated May 3-5 at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.
Pals Tonton Asistio and Jude Eustaquio edged Jelbert Gamolo and Jolo Magcalayo in sudden death in last year’s inaugural staging of the event with the same tight finish expected in the upcoming second edition of the three-day championship sponsored by Delimondo, the premier corned beef.
Registration is ongoing with the P2 million event limited to the first 120 teams, according to the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. For details, call Jocelyn Duque at 0918-9515308 or jocelynduque@pgt.ph.
The event is open to all pros and amateur golfers with the top 40 in last year’s Philippine Golf Tour and PGT Asia Order of Merit ranking barred from teaming up with amateurs with handicap index of 5 and below.
Aside from last year’s finalists, early favorites in the battle for the top P360,000 purse are the Michael Bibat-Joel Yamyamin, Clyde Mondilla-Jeric Hechanova, Randy Garalde-Eddit Bagtas, Jelbert Gamolo-Rupert Zaragosa, Marvin Dumandan-Rex Goquingco, Mhark Fernando-Nico Sevilla, Jet Mathay-Alex Etter, Justin Quiban-Moulay Rhounimil
Elmer Salvador-Oliver Gan, Boyet Zaragosa-Jonas Magcalayo, Jay Bayron-Tony Olives, Solomon Gines-Marlon Dizon, Guido Van der Valk-Andrew Nemec, Jobim Carlos-DJ Padilla, Tony Lascuña-Den den de Castro, and Salvador Paya Vila-Daniel Crisostomo pairs.
Play will be foursomes (alternate shot format) with the top 40 teams after 36 holes advancing to the finals. The winning pro will pocket P360,000 while the top amateur will receive trophy and gift prizes.
The National Pro-am, which served as the final leg of last year’s PGT season, will now become the second leg of the new season and as one of the side events on the PGT calendar, along with the Ryder Cup-style The Duel held every other year.
The event is also staged in recognition of the amateurs’ role in boosting Philippine golf and at the same time to provide them the exposure they need as they hone up for the pro ranks.
