"We are now ready to unleash what could probably be the richest Philippine Open in history," said Rod Feliciano, president of the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines who will jointly chair the Executive Committee with MMDA chairman and Wack Wack president Ben Abalos. "This Open will be remembered as the biggest yet."
The Open was launched yesterday at a press conference at Wack Wack, the Open’s home of many years.
With Ephraim Genuino, president and chair of Pagcor, throwing his support behind the country’s annual premiere sporting event, the Open is expected to draw the region’s top parbusters.
"This year’s Open will be unique in that it is inviting the top two amateurs of some of our neighboring countries to participate," said Benigno Gopez, chair of the organizing committee. "Aside from the two top amateurs, the top two professionals of other countries in the region will also be invited."
The starting field is pegged at 150, with 20 amateurs seeded in the tournament that has Acting Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, NGAP chair, as honorary chair.
For his part, Abalos said that Wack Wack "will, as usual, play its role to the hilt as the club holds a rich tradition of hosting with smashing success the Open starting in 1957."
Frankie Miñosa, still the country’s No. 1 golfer, is raring to win his second Open crown after scoring his breakthrough win in 1998 at Riviera. Riviera was also the host of the 2000 Open won by Gerald Rosales.
It was the legendary Celestino Tugot who won the Open in 1957 at Wack Wack. Wack Wack hosted it again from 1958 to 1967. After Holiday Hills hosted it in 1968, the Open was back at Wack Wack in 1969. It stayed at Wack Wack up to 1982.
The last time Wack Wack hosted it in 1990, Robert Pactolerin was the winner.
"With the return of the Open to Wack Wack," said Abalos, "I think history is again in the making at the club that is perennially known as the home of the Open. I will personally devote my time to ensure that the Open will again recapture its magic of old."