Juvic, other aces open Davao Nat’l Pro-Am bid

DAVAO—Juvic Pagunsan, Elmer Salvador and Cassius Casas head the favorites vying for the lion’s share of the cash prizes in the P1-million Davao National Pro-Am golf tournament co-presented by Samsung and Emcor starting Wednesday at the Apo Golf and Country Club here.   Pagunsan, one of the Asian Tour’s hottest players this season, teams up with local businessman Jaime “Boy” Tan in this 54-hole one-ball, two-some event.   Salvador and Casas, two of the biggest names that call the Apo course home, are playing with Jovi Neri and Benjie Senining, respectively, in the tournament marking Samsung’s first foray into professional golf.   In all, 72 pairs are taking a shot at the top prize of P172,000. The pro of the runner-up pair gets P160,000.  

Though not part of the Philippine Golf Tour, the Davao tournament has lured most of the country’s finest pros, particularly the Davaoeños who are taking advantage of the tour’s break to be with their families.