Pagunsan heads cast in DHL golf amateurs

Despite his setback last year, Juvic Pagunsan remains as the top favorite when he leads the charge of the host squad in the ninth DHL-NGAP Amateur Open Golf Championships which fire off Jan. 27 at the north course of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna.

Abe Rosal stunned fellow club bet Pagunsan to snatch last year’s crown, but the latter is expected to bounce back strong this year in an attempt to stake his claim as the country’s top amateur after two-time national champion Jerome Delariarte opted to join the pro ranks.

But aside from Rosal, out to foil Pagunsan’s bid in the four-day event are former national titlist Artemio Murakami, who will be spearheading the challenge of the Southwoods bets who include Tonton Asistio, Gene Bondoc, Jun Jun Plana, Michael Bibat, and Hanson So Jr.

A crack squad from DHL-Mizuno is also in the fold with national team mainstay and power-hitting Marvin Dumandan heading the list that includes Paul Minoza, Erwin Vinluan and Tristan Tabanas.

A three-cornered fight, on the other hand, looms in the ladies event with Lucy Landicho, Lora Roberto and former RP Ladies Open champion Carmelette Villaroman expected to slug it out for top honors in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics provider, and www.express.

Meanwhile, the organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. yesterday announced that registration remains open with the deadline set at 12 noon on Jan. 24. Entry fee is pegged at P2,500 for men and P2,000 for ladies. For details, call up NGAP office at tel. Nos. 525-6987 and 524-5160 or fax 521-1587 and Cangolf at (049) 549-1363. The practice round is set Jan. 26.

This marks the ninth year of DHL sponsorship of the biggest amateur golf tournament outside of the national championship and it came weeks after the world’s leading express and logistics company forged a joint venture with the National Golf Association of the Philippines to stage the Philippine Open next month at the Mimosa Golf Club in Pampanga.

At stake in the event are trophies and gift certificates for the champions, runners-up and third placers of both divisions with the best daily individual scorers also set to receive special prizes.