DHL golf gets going at Canlubang North

CANLUBANG, Laguna—Rupert Zaragosa sets out as favorite in his bid for a first ever championship starting Monday in the 19th WExpress-DHL RVF Amateurs presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at the North course of Canlubang here.

The 16-year-old, a former national men’s and boy’s national champion, leads a big, star-studded field that is seeking to bag one of the most prestigious amateur titles in the land.

Reigning world 13-14 champion Kristopher Arevalo, the core of the Alabang and Del Monte squads in the Philippine Airlines Interclub next week, and a host of Korean expats are also entered in the 72-hole event that is part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

“It’s going to be tough, not only because this is a classy field, but also because of the playing conditions here at this time of year,” Zaragosa said after his final practice round over the course he calls home.

The event is also being held in honor of the late Rod V. Feliciano, the former president of the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines who launched and turned this tournament into what it is today.

He passed away last year at the age of 78 and a short program where 78 balloons will be released by NGAP officials will officially take the lid off of the tournament.

Andres Saldana, Justin Quiban and Gabriel Manotoc, who will suit up for Alabang in Bacolod for the Interclub next week, are tipped to crowd Zaragosa early as well as Mel Cubillo, Magno Arancon and the rest of the Del Monte team.