Four-leg circuit to revive pro tour

A new golf circuit, which will not only revive the pro tour but will likewise put in place a series of tournaments for the senior pros, amateurs and jungolfers, will begin next week with the staging of the MRT-Manila Southwoods Open at the Southwoods’ Masters Course.

Organized by the newly-established Philippine Pro Golf Tour Foundation, headed by Manila Southwoods chairman Bob Sobrepeña, the circuit will fire off on Feb. 1 for the first of a scheduled four-leg series with the country’s top pros vying for the top purse of P100,000 out of the total money prize of P.5 million.

"We want to help RP golf, and the best way to do it is to revive the local tour," said Sobrepeña during the launching of the circuit yesterday at the Southwoods’ clubhouse.

Sobrepeña said that Metro Rail Transit, College Assurance Plan, Camp John Hay Development Corp., and the Fil-Estate Group of Companies have joined hands to revive the circuit which they hope to expand with the support of various corporate sponsors.

"We’re confident of generating interest, broaden the base and ensure the continuity of this tour since there are already sponsors signifying their intention to support the circuit," added Sobrepeña.

After 12 years of uninterrupted campaign with the money prize increasing every year, the men of the tour had only four tournaments last season as Philip Morris withdrew its sponsorship of the circuit following the worldwide clamor to ban tobacco advertising in sports.

But with the upcoming tour, the regular and senior pros are expected to be back in the hunt for fame and glory while providing the amateur-jungolfers the venue to develop and fine-tune their skills and talent for international competitions.

"Overall, this circuit is more than just a golf tour," said Sobrepeña.

The next three legs of the circuit will be played at the Fil-Estate Group of Companies’ championship courses, namely — Sherwood in Cavite, Forest Hills in Antipolo and John Hay in Baguio with the scenic Fairways and Bluewater in Boracay being eyed to host the fifth leg.

The circuit will be supervised by Southwoods’ golf director Jeric Hechanova and Asian PGA official Buddy Resurreccion with a two-day pro-am event expected to spice up action in the 72-hole tournament.

Registration for the Feb.1-4 event is ongoing on a first-come, first-served basis. Only 60 slots are available for the pros. For details, please contact Hechanova at tel. Nos. (046) 430-0268, 0917-263946 (cell) or through fax — 0917-8769519. — Dante Navarro