Fil-Am golf fires off Nov. 19, lures record field

BAGUIO CITY—About 1,200 golfers from the Asia-Pacific region are expected to vie in the 65th San Miguel Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament from Nov. 19 to Dec. 5 at Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay courses here.

Lawyer Federico Agcaoili, BCC president and honorary chair of the Fil-Am Golf executive committee, said the tournament has drawn 235 local and foreign teams this year, up by 15 on the field that competed last year.

Play in the Seniors Division, which has 46 teams, and the regular Flights F, G and H, which has a combined participation of 68 teams, will open the tournament on Nov. 22.

The 121 teams competing in the regular Flights Championship, A, B, C, D and E will tee off on Dec. 1.

Anthony de Leon, BCC general manager and co-chair of the tournament’s executive committee, said the quality of the tournament will not suffer despite the huge number of participants this year.

Tim Allen, CJH golf manager and tournament co-chair, said they are anticipating a highly competitive field this year, noting that many teams in each division have a shot to take the championship.

“The field as a whole has never been really close,” Allen said. “This is a highly competitive field. People love to see great competition.”

Agcaoili challenged the partcipants to give back to the summer capital by replenishing its tree cover.

“My challenge to the golfers is to plant a tree so these trees will be here long after we’re gone,” he said. “Let’s have fun but let’s do something for the community.”

The 65th staging of the Fil-Am golf tournament is backed by San Miguel Corporation as title sponsor. Inquirer Northern Luzon