RUPERT Zaragosa continues his preparations for the defense of his last remaining title as he sees action today in the National Golf Association of the Philippines’ Mindanao Regional championship at the tree-lined Apo Golf in Davao.
After sitting out the first four months of the year due to drink poisoning, Zaragosa plays in his fourth full tournament and is listed as one of the favorites in the event serving as a leg in the NGAP-Globe Amateur circuit.
LJ Go, Reymon Jaraulla and Joey Huerva are the other notables seeing action in the centerpiece men’s event, even as more than 40 players signed up for the Mid-Am event where players 30 years or older and with handicaps of 9.5 or better are eligible to play.
The first two days will be medal rounds to determine the qualifiers before play in the tournament backed by Pancake House, Titleist and Golf Depot shifts to match for the last three days.
Zaragosa is no stranger to winning match play titles, lording it over, at 14 last year, the boy’s and men’s tournaments.
Hospitalized for more than three weeks after poisoned energy drink burned his intestines, the pint-sized Zaragosa is slowly rounding out to top form and is gearing up for defense of his boy’s title set next week at exclusive Alabang Golf and Country Club.