Gift checks up for grabs in caddies golf

Executive committee chairman Robert Cheng said yesterday all teams playing in the 14th Uratex National Caddies Championship next month will receive prizes in the form of gift certificates.

"We decided to do this from here on to make all the caddies competing teams happy," said Cheng after meeting with organizing committee co-chair Abe Villanueva and Manding Santos.

"We didn’t hold the event last year. But from now on — and in the spirit of Christmas — we want all of them to go back home with additional cash for their families," said Cheng.

The national event is set Dec. 17-20 at the Valley Golf and Country’s Club’s Executive Course.

Villanueva and Santos also reiterated that team registration deadline is at 5 p.m. Dec. 14. "There are no fees. All we ask them is to wear uniforms bearing their clubs’ names," Villanueva said.

The teams may sign up at the National Golf Association of the Philippines at telephone 525-69-87 and 524-51-60 or fax 521-15-87 through Hazel Novero, Susan Facundo and Charlyn Clavis.

Another registration center is at Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club at telephone 931-30-50 or fax-phone 932-57-09 through Nenette Paelmo, Malou Santos and Ciela Tolentino.

"All registration forms must bear the signatures of either the president or general manager of the club they represent," Santos said.

Cheng is continuing the event in coordination with the First Gentleman Foundation Inc. headed by Mike Arroyo.

He launched the tournament in 1988 with three noble goals: Give the bag-toters their own national tournament, provide financial assistance and discover talent.

Capitol Hills is under renovation, but Valley, through its board headed by its president Alexander "Bobot" Marquez, unanimously approved the staging at the executive course.

There will be team competitions in the men’s division and individual competitions in the men’s and women’s class. In the team event, four will play but only the three best scorers will count.