GOLF TOURNEY. The executive committee of the 70th Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament in 2019 poses after the ceremonial tee at the Baguio Country Club. Now on its 72nd year, over a thousand golfers from the Asia Pacific region are expected to be in the city for the Nov. 23 to Dec. 13 golf event to be held at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay. (PNA file photo)
BAGUIO CITY – The longest-running amateur golf tournament in the Asia Pacific region annually held in this summer capital is expected to attract over 1,000 visitors.
"We have 240 teams composed of five members and some with one alternate so that is roughly 1,250 golfers joining the competition," said Andrew Pinero, client and member relations manager of the Baguio Country Club, which is one of the two venues of the 2022 Fil-Am Golf Tournament.
The tourney, which is now in its 72nd year, will run from Nov. 23 to Dec. 13.
Pinero said players come from as far as the United States and Australia.
"Most of them are with Filipino lineage and they take advantage of the tournament to come home with their families to renew ties with relatives," he said.
He said the competition would attract tourists and contribute to the city's economy which continues to recover from the impact of coronavirus lockdowns.
The practice round for the senior's edition will start on Nov. 22 with the games set from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 while the handicapped regular players will have their practice rounds from Dec. 3 to 5 with the tee-off set in the afternoon of Dec. 5 until Dec. 13.
The fairways of the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay are the two venues of the competition.
Pinero also said the Fil-Am Golf Foundation is also assessing the need to further add to the PHP5 million it has earlier donated for the Busol watershed fencing to be able to complete the project.
The watershed serves as Baguio City's main source of potable water supply for more than half of its 128 villages.
He added that the foundation sets aside funds for the training of the 'jungolf' (junior golf) or the young players and brings out a new breed of players. (PNA)
