Baguio City—A third division in the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament is in the offing when it is held at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay on Nov. 28 to Dec. 15.
The senior and regular tournaments are expected to see the top amateur players in the four round of action. It will also see the debut of the super senior division that will join the seniors and regular F and G flights during the first round on Nov. 28 until Dec. 6.
“That is why there is no Flight H in the regular divisions,” said rules’ committee member Roanne Galicia of co-host Baguio Country Club.
The “elderlies” will be part of the more than 1,200 golfers seeing action in the two-week tournament.
In 2004, the Fil-Am introduced the seniors’ division (55 years old and above) of the Fil-Am golf during the 55th edition.
One of the first entries was Tommy Manotoc, winner of several Fil-championship titles, but has then given way to younger players, among them Jay Bayron and Juvic Pagunsan, who led the Nike team to the Fil Championship crown in 2004 and 2005.
“It is their time, so I’d rather coach them and just play in the seniors’ side,” Manotoc said during an interview in 2004.
BCC has also introduced a cart path in its par-61 golf course to help out the senior golfers, although half will be completed when tee time starts.
“We are still finalizing the entries since many are seeking for slots and we cannot accommodate them,” said Andrew Pinero of the executive committee and Fil-Am spokesman.
“It just shows that we live by its hype that we are the oldest and biggest golf tournament in the world,” added the former television anchor of a local cable TV.
Practice rounds for said flights are slated from Nov. 28 until 30, with the captains’ meeting scheduled on the 28th and the ceremonial tee on the 30th at both courses.
Games for said flights will start on Dec. 1 until 6.
The regular Championship to flight E starts on Dec. 7 with the practice rounds until the 9th. Games start on Dec. 10 until the 15th.
Last year, Luisita Golf and Country Club swept the Seniors’ Championship flight by 30 and 10 points over their nearest rivals Southwoods and CJH in Fil and Am divisions, respectively.
It was a good year for the Tarlac parbusters after winning the PAL Interclub, the other big amateur tournament.
Manila Southwoods, meanwhile, swept the Fil and Am Championship in regular competition.
Sixteen-year-old Joo Hyung Kim closed with a two under 59 for 38 points to lead the Carmona, Cavite based parbusters win the centerpiece Fil Championship and the individual plum, beating Forest Hill’s Jude Eustaquio through countback. The Forest Hill golf manager had a closing round even par 61 for 36 points.
Southwoods Am squad had a 50-point victory.
