Focus on RP team in Cangolf Open

The country’s top amateurs, led by the members of the SEA Games-bound national squad, take centerstage today as they vie for top honors in the championship division at the start of the Canlubang Amateur Open Golf Championships at the south course of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna.

Although the club bets, headed by Juvic Pagunsan, enjoy the home course advantage at the hazard-laden par 72 layout, keen competition is seen among the best amateurs in the land with Marlon Dizon back to defend the title he won last year.

Despite the absence of back-to-back national champion Angelo Que, who begged off to honor a commitment abroad, the field remains as talented as ever with Pagunsan and fellow national teammates Jay Bayron, Jesselito Zaragoza and Marvin Dumandan and alternate Gene Bondoc fancied to lead the chase in the 72-hole championship.

They will be out to prove they deserve to be in the RP team with the event serving as part of their buildup for next month’s SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Manila Southwoods standout Hanson So is also competing in the premier division of the Globe Telecom-backed event, a 4-in-1 tournament which also includes the 54-hole stroke play championship for women and the 36-hole championship division "B" for men. Also on tap are the 36-hole championships in Classes A, B and C for men and women slated Thursday and Friday.