All-Filipino RP Open golf looms

The Philippine Open golf championship, whose staging has been reset twice due to a misunderstanding with the Asian PGA Tour and problems in funding, will push through as scheduled on Nov. 23-26 with or without foreign campaigners.

A source in the NGAP (National Golf Association of the Philippines) told The STAR over the weekend that the golf body is now bracing for the worst scenario since the Erap Golf Foundation has refused to confirm its previous commitment to help put up the $200,000 total money purse for the event.

Several reasons have been mentioned in a recent meeting with officials of the foundation which stages the annual Erap Cup, but the organizers pointed out that time is running out on them and they have to come up with something to ensure the staging of the annual event.

"We don’t have much time, but definitely, the RP Open will push through next month," the source said, quoting an NGAP official. "If we fail to raise the needed money purse, we would be constrained to stage it with an all-local field."

NGAP president Rod Feliciano, who had previously said they are committed to stage the RP Open this year, is expected to make an announcement this week upon arrival from the United States.

In an all-local field, Cassius Casas is expected to have an inside track to the top purse since he has dominated the local circuit in the last three years, although it will be a different scenario if ever Frankie Miñoza gets to make himself available for the Open week.

Miñoza is believed to have committed himself in the rich Casio Open, slated in the week of the RP Open, while Casas will be coming fresh from a stint in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand.

The last time the NGAP, then RPGA (Republic of the Phils. Golf Association), held an RP Open without international participation was in the early 80s at Villamor during the term of RPGA president Col. Nereo Andolong.

Since then, the RP Open has lured top players from other countries, including those in Europe and the United States, until it emerged Asia’s most prestigious championship that rivalled other rich events in the region.

This year’s Open was earlier scheduled in February but was moved to October following a rift between the NGAP and the Asian PGA. The Erap Golf Foundation then asked for a postponement to have more time to raise the total purse.