DHL-NGAP Open lures best in amateur ranks

All the big names in amateur golf — from Southeast Asian Games champion Juvic Pagunsan to reigning national titlist Jerome Delariarte to the eminent Tommy Manotoc — are accounted for days before the eight staging of the eighth DHL-NGAP Open Amateur golf championships.

Pagunsan, Delariarte and Manotoc are among 33 names that have so far signed up for the Jan. 28-31 event at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club’s North course sponsored by DHL Worldwide Express and supported by WWW Express, ensuring another crack field that solidifies the DHL Open’s status as a premier tournament in local golf.

"The presence of these fine top-caliber golfers all but guarantees an exulting week of golf at Canlubang and a big battle for top honors," said DHL chairman Rod Feliciano, also the president of the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Pagunsan, out to stake his claim as the undisputed No. 1 in amateur golf after Angelo Que turned pro this year, heads the entries from the stable of Canlubang’s Luigi Yulo for the four-day, 72-hole event presented by DHL Worldwide Express and WWW Express.

Joining him from the Canlubang team that is set to defend its title in next month’s PAL Interclub are veterans Abe Rosal, Jun Bernis and Manotoc, Boyet Zaragosa, ex-pro Dave Hernandez and former national caddies champion Jay Bayron.