National amateur golf circuit slated

In a bid to finally put a credible national ranking and handicapping system in place, the National Golf Association of the Philippines is joining hands with the local distributor of Titleist and Footjoy in staging the first-ever National Amateur Golf Circuit starting this month.

The seven-leg circuit will offer high-level competitions in some of the country’s most exclusive courses for male and female players belonging to various handicap categories.

Hosting the first leg on Jan. 23-26 is the Tagaytay Highlands and Midlands courses.

The other legs are Feb. 20-23 – Riviera Golf and Country Club; Mar. 20-23 – Valley Golf & Country Club; April 24-27 – Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club; May 15-18 – Orchard Golf and Country Club; June 19-22 – to be announced and July 17-20 – Canlubang Golf and Country Club.

NGAP president Rod Feliciano and Christopher Tang, president of Dynamic Sports Corp. which is the exclusive Philippine distributor of Titleist and Footjoy products, recently signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the joint undertaking.

"This is a multi-faceted project which will enable us to boost the handicapping system and at the same time develop a deeper pool of talents for our international campaigns," said Feliciano.

For his part, Tang said that "Titleist and Footjoy are one with the NGAP in its campaign for the promotion of amateur golf in the country."

Heading the organizing body is Iggy Clavecilla, chairman of the NGAP tournament committee, and Andy Dumlao as tournament director.

The men’s championship for players with handicap indeces of 0-4.4 will be for 72 holes, the championship ladies event (0-9.4) will be for holes while Group I (0-4.4), Group II (4.5-10.4), Group III (10.5-19.4), Group IV (19.5 and above) and ladies (9.5 and above) will be for 36 holes.

Entry fee is P2,000 inclusive of green fees and a free practice round. Registrations can be made at the offices of the NGAP (525-6987/5245160), Global Sports (433-0782/435-1943), GG&A Club Shares and Chris Sports Plaza outlets nationwide.

Prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers in each division and also the low gross scorers from Group II and below.