Salvador shoots for repeat win at Aboitiz Invitational: $65K event draws tough international field; Set July 24-27 at CCC

CEBU, Philippines - Top Filipino golfer Elmer Salvador is primed and ready to defend his title in the Aboitiz Invitational 2013, which makes a return on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) schedule for the third consecutive season on July 24-27 at the Cebu Country Club. The 43-year-old Salvador won the championship last year after defeating countryman Antonio Lascuna by six shots.

Reigning ADT Order of Merit winner Jay Bayron of the Philippines, talented local teenager Miguel Tabuena, and Artemio Murakami, a former Asian Tour winner, will also see action in the US$65,000 tournament.

James Bowen of the United States, Grant Jackson of England, highly rated James Byrne of Scotland and Mitsuhiko Hashizume of Japan, currently ranked second, third, fourth and fifth on the Order of Merit respectively, will spearhead the international challenge.

Cebu's homegrown talent Charles "Chuckie" Hong also hopes to make an impression before his fans.

"As a pro, you expect to excel but you also expect the unknown. Wherever I play, I don't let it affect me emotionally. I know there are a lot of people who want me to perform here. They have high expectations on me. I will just give my best and hopefully I won't disappoint them, " said Hong during the event's formal launching yesterday.

Aside from Hong, among those who graced the affair were VECO SVP-Chief Operating Officer Sebastian Lacson, ADT Head of Operations Jittisak Tamprasert, Philippine Golf Tournaments, Inc. (PGTI) General Manager Soccoro S. Ventosa, CCC General Manager Jeric Hechanova, and ADT regular Carl Santos-Ocampo.

"It's going to be an exciting week," said Ocampo.

In a strong field of 126 entries, Salvador is really the man to watch. He came close to winning his first Asian Tour title in 2011 and 2012 but lost on both occasions in a play-off. He made amends when he claimed a popular home victory at the Aboitiz Invitational and hopes to write a small slice of history by becoming the first player to defend his title on the ADT, which is the feeder circuit for the premier Asian Tour.

“It felt good when I shot even-par and won last year. I remember my driving was horrible and I hooked a lot of tee shots. Luckily, my putting and short game guided me to victory,” said Salvador.

“I’ve come close to winning on the Asian Tour and the victory at the Aboitiz Invitational gave me renewed confidence to try harder,” he added.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han expressed his fullest appreciation to Aboitiz for supporting the development of professional golf via its title sponsorship on the ADT.

“The ADT has grown immensely over the past few years and it is largely due to the support that we receive from great sponsors like Aboitiz. We are thankful that Aboitiz is a strong advocate of the development golf,” said Han.

For four years now, the Aboitiz Group, which has major investments in power, banking, food, and land, has been organizing the Invitational Pro-Am as part of the ADT.

“Consistent with our corporate value of teamwork, this collaboration has rewarded us with stronger bonds and equally unique camaraderie among business partners, colleagues, and stakeholders,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures President and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz.

Enrique K. Razon Jr, the Chairman and CEO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. said, “ICTSI, together with the Philippine Golf Tour, is delighted with its partnership with the Asian Tour, ADT and Aboitiz Equity Ventures for the past three years. Together, we have been making strides in putting the Philippines back in the global golfing map.”

The ADT was launched in 2010 with five tournaments before growing to eight in 2011 and 13 last year. It has proven to be a successful circuit for upcoming players to gain entry into the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013.

So far, a total of 12 tournaments have been confirmed this season on the ADT, with several others to be announced in due course.

Created along the lines of the European Challenge Tour and Web.com Tour in the United States, the ADT will reward the top-three players on the final Order of Merit with Asian Tour cards for the following year.

All ADT events also receive Official World Golf Ranking points, which will be used to determine the field for the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne in November and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (FREEMAN)