A merry mix of international players and a big number of locals that count several former Philippine team stars chase full Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) cards starting Tuesday when the local circuit’s Qualifying School is played at South Pacific in Davao.
Kristoffer Arevalo will be trying to regain his card, even as Aidric Chan begins his career as a professional when the two ex-National squad buddies banner the local charge over the relatively flat layout inside a posh village.
Toru Nakajima, a former leg winner, leads the foreign contingent that has representations from Japan, Malaysia , Australia and the United States, showing how far the local tour has come.
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Arevalo, despite glittering amateur credentials that count a Junior World trophy in the last decade, came in as a highly touted rookie last year but struggled all season long.
He joins circuit veterans like Anthony Fernando, Mark Fernando and Rufino Bayron in vying for 30 tour cards.
The new season sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. starts in Davao on March 12-15 at Apo Golf and Country Club with the challenging Palos Verdes Golf and Club hosting the second leg on March 19-22.
The circuit, which includes the 54-hole Ladies PGT slated in the first three days, moves to Luzon for the third and fourth stops at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna on April 9-12 and at Valley Golf Club in Antipolo on May 7-10, respectively. —Musong R. Castillo INQ