Wide-open Cangolf Amateur tees off today

A WIDE-OPEN race is seen as the country’s finest amateurs, led by former men’s and boys’ national champion Rupert Zaragosa, tee off today in the Canlubang Am Open presented by Globe Business at the complex’s tree-lined North course in Laguna.

The entire Canlubang stable, including reigning national champion Jik-Jik Abdon, Joey Huerva and Gabriel Manotoc, will see action in the championship division of the event also backed by Pancake House.

Several Korean expatriates, including Apo Golf’s Micah Shin, and veteran campaigner AR Ramos are among the fancied players in the stellar field.

The North layout provides one of the toughest tests of golf in the country, with its tree-lined roughs and holes that have water and ravine coming into play.

Andres Saldaña, the left-handed member of the national pool, will be gunning for his first big title since graduating from the junior ranks earlier this year.

Also on tap are the 36-hole competitions in the Ladies Division, featuring members of the ICTSI-The Country Club squad, as well as Class A (11-and-below), Class B (12-18), Class C (19-and-above) which will be played in the last two days.

Prizes will be given to the winner and the next three placers in the championship division and the top two gross finishers and the top three net placers in the other categories of the 246-player tournament.