Nationals, jungolfers head NGAP regional tournament

NATIONAL team members JR Gonzales, Justin Quiban, LJ Go and Andres Saldaña brace for a showdown with top jungolfers JP de Claro, Gabriel Manotoc and Lanz Uy as they vie in the Philex Northern Luzon Regional Championships beginning today at Baguio Golf and Country Club in Baguio City.

Chester Calputora heads the local challenge along with the top caddies and children of BGCC workers as well as members of the jungolf chapter of the host club, guaranteeing a wide open battle for top honors in the 54-hole tournament spread over two days.

With the par-61 layout in championship condition following the Fil-Am Invitational, the chase for top honors is indeed expected to be fierce among the crack field in the tournament sponsored by Pancake House, Titleist by Empire Golf, Pacsports and Golf Depot.

“The BGCC will provide the competing field a different kind of challenge. It’s a thinking course and this will help develop our players,” said National Golf Association of the Philippines president Tommy Manotoc, who also thanked BGCC, headed by its president, Lawyer Rico Agcaoili, for making the course available for the NGAP tournament.

The event, sponsored by Philex, serves as part of the Globe Business Amateur Golf Circuit and held as part of the birth centenary of BGCC founder Nanoy Ilusorio.

The NGAP has also lined up several tournaments next year, kicking off with the Philippine Amateur Open set Jan. 7 to 10 at Wack Wack.