Ericsson, Smart back Tour 2001

Ericsson and Smart, two of the leading firms in telecommunications industry, are joining hands to stage the third leg of The Philippine Golf Tour billed the Ericsson-Smart Zed Sherwood Hills Classic which fires off March 22 at the challenging Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

A powerhouse cast is expected to vie for top honors in the featured pro event since the country’s top shotmakers and Asian PGA Tour regulars, led by Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales and Cassius Casas, would be available with APGA Tour taking a break next week.

Others fancied to contend for the title in the P500,000 event are Rodrigo Cuello, Danny Zarate and Mars Pucay with separate prize packages staked for the senior and pro-am competitions.

In yesterday’s formal launching of the event at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Philippine Tour chairman Bob Sobrepeña said that they see the entry of Ericsson and Smart as an expression of confidence given by the corporate sector to the new tour.

Truly, the entry of the two giant telecommunications firms further boosted the stock of the fledgling circuit, revived by the Fil-Estate Group of Companies last month as part of its commitment to help not only the pros but the senior pros and the amateurs as well.

With Ericsson and Smart showing confidence in the new pro golf organization, other corporate sponsors are expected to follow suit that could pave the way for the success of the circuit which was shelved for two years following the withdrawal of sponsorship of long-time backer Philip Morris in 1999.

Big firms like College Assurance Plan, the Fil-Estate Group of Companies, the Metro Rail Transit Corp. and the La Paz Holdings Development Corp. are also coming in as presentors of the first full pro event to be held at Sherwood Hills.

"We see the generous support of our friends from Ericsson and Smart as a very positive sign for our goal of holding a circuit that will have a strong impact not just in the country but in the region as well," said Sobrepeña.

"These companies are traditional supporters of golf and their return to the professional scene, is, indeed, most welcome."

The other VIPs who graced the launch were CAP chair and CEO Enrique Sobrepeña, Ericsson president Robert Etteborn, Sherwoods Hills president Ferdinand Santos, Telecoms Specialist, Inc. president Greg Atienza, Smart PCMSD head Anastacio Martirez, Sherwood vice-chair Federico Campos, Ericsson vice-president Direck Gamboa, Gabay sa Makabayang Alay Foundation president Rafael Evangelista and Lourdes Varona, vice president of Ginintuan at Makabayang Alay Foundation.

Two first-time winners have already emerged from the opening legs of the circuit at Manila Southwoods (Masters course) and Camp John Hay — Rey Pagunsan and Richard Sinfuego.

While Sinfuego is a sure entry, Pagunsan is a doubtful starter since he is scheduled to start his campaign in the Japanese circuit this month.

Roger Antonio and Mario Siodina, who have split the first two legs of the CAP Seniors Challenge lead the field for the 50-plus group which will be for 36 holes.

A 36-hole pro-am appetizer will be held March 22-23 with another banner cast featuring the sponsors and their invitees, club officials, celebrities and media personalities.