‘Yolanda’ forces PH Open golf cancellation

SAYING that it will channel its resources to helping victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in the south, the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) yesterday canceled the 2013 Philippine Open originally scheduled Dec. 5 to 8 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club East in Mandaluyong.

NGAP president Tommy Manotoc had written prospective foreign participants yesterday, informing them of the  board’s decision to forego Asia’s oldest national championship in favor of helping relief efforts.

A huge number of foreign participants have been trying to make reservations for the event as early as last week.

The event would have have been the 100th year of the Open which was supposed to feature mainstays coming from the Japan and One Asia Tours.

“In the light of the devastation caused by Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda,’ the NGAP has decided to cancel the Philippine Open scheduled Dec. 5 to 8,” an official statement from the golf body read.

“This will allow the sponsors to focus on rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas,”  the statement added.