BAGUIO CITY — The chilly morning weather, mental toughness, and course management are among the key factors in waging fairway battles by a record field of 1,300 golfers from the Asia-Pacific region in the hunt for top honors at the 68th Department of Tourism (DOT) Fil-Am Invitational.
The world’s biggest amateur golf tournament will be held starting Dec. 2 at the short but tricky par-61 Baguio Country Club (BCC) and the long par-69 Camp John Hay (CJH) golf courses here.
Anthony De Leon, general manager of BCC and co-chair of the tournament, expressed gratitude for the support of government through the DOT.
“We are very happy to partner with the government (through) DOT, taking cognizance of what golf (and) sports tourism is all about,” said De Leon. "We look forward for a continued partnership in the years to come.”
Tim Allen, CJH golf manager and co-chair of the event, said it will be a challenging two weeks of golfing in this pine-clad and cool city, the summer capital of the country.
Tournament proper fires off Saturday with flights from F, G and H of the Seniors and Regular divisions, respectively.
Top contenders in the Seniors Division are Luisita GC, Manila Southwoods and Megafiber Team, all in the Fil Championship class, along with Manila Southwoods, Luisita GC, Haciendas de Naga, Dugong Bughaw, Camp John Hay and Baguio City Golf team, in the Am Championship class.
On Dec. 8, the tournament shifts to high gear with the regular flights —Championship, A,B,C D and E.
Meanwhile, Representative Mark Go of the Lone District of Baguio and City Mayor Mauricio Domogan led Thursday’s ceremonial tee off which signalled the opening of the tournament. (PNA)
