World’s biggest golf tourney fires off in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY–The 53rd Fil-Am Golf Invitational, tagged by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest amateur tournament, kicked off yesterday with ceremonial drives in two venues -- the Baguio Country Club and the nearby Camp John Hay.

Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan Baguio City Mayor Bernardo Vergara led the ceremonial tee-off officially opening the six-day tournament which assembled 600 participants from 60 teams all over the world.

Others who did the honors were CAP director Jay Sobrepeña (who represented CJH chair Robert John Sobrepeña), Baguio Country Club president Federico Agcaoili, Camp John Hay chief operating officer Benigno Cabrieto and chairman Don Marshall of Interpacific Transit Inc. GSA of Northwest Airlines.

It was a hectic day for the participants, who played another practice rounds, and organizers, who conducted the traditional but surprisingly fast-paced team captains’ meeting.

Competitions start Dec. 2 with Smart Communications as the tournament presenter. CAP (College Assurance Plan), Northwest Airlines, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Premiere Wines, Wilson, JPDC, BCDA and San Miguel Corp. are the major sponsors while Bluecross, Caltex, Pizza Hut Baguio and U-Bix Corporation are the other backers.

While the golfers honed their skills on the two courses, their skippers attended the traditional team captains’ meeting at the Camp John Hay clubhouse. Deliberations were focused on the rules that would apply during the tournament ending Dec. 7.

Chairman Taby Tabaniag and other members of the tournament committee–Jake Ayson, Al Mendoza and Toots Aquino–conducted the session.

Others who attended the meeting were executive committee co-chairmen Baguio Country Club general manager Anthony de Leon and Camp John Hay Golf Club general manager Heiner Mauibecker and Cabrieto.