Talented field chases Zaragosa’s PH Am crown

A COMPACT yet very talented field tees off today in the 2012 Philippine Amateur Closed championship, the third leg of the Globe Amateur Circuit, at wind-swept Sherwood Hills in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

Lefty Andres Saldaña, a promising talent out of exclusive Alabang, Canlubang’s Jik-Jik Abdon and the up-and-coming Gabriel Manotoc headline the roster of participants in the event also backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot, Titleist, Suntrust, Microtel Suites and Airphil Express.

The field plays stroke in the first two days to determine the rankings before being bracketed for match in the final three days. The finals will be over 18 holes on Sunday.

Gio Gandiongco, a 15-year-old out of Cebu Country Club, the reigning Philippine Airlines Interclub champion, is also in the field together with Jonar Austria, the second placer in the recent DHL Amateurs in Canlubang.

The event will crown a new champion this year with last year’s winner, the pint-sized Rupert Zaragosa, begging off after being hospitalized last month because of poisoning.

Zaragosa, who also won in the World Junior Championship in San Diego two years ago, has been out of action for close to eight weeks now.

Meanwhile, Ramir Roque and Francis Morilla, members of the Frankie Miñoza golf foundation in Bukidnon, are also entered.

Veteran internationalist Dottie Ardina and ICTSI teammates Lovelynn Guioguio, Jayvie Agojo and Sunshine Baraquiel are the big names in the women’s field.

Del Monte’s Eva Miñoza and Apple Fudolin, AFP Golf’s Bianca Pagdanganan and Frankie Miñoza Golf Foundation’s Rainstar Roque and Riviera’s Jan Punzalan are also entered.