RP Open bets tune up in VIP Celebrity pro-am

The country’s top pros led by Cassius Casas and Robert Pactolerin will see action in an 18-hole charity fund-raiser Wednesday at the Villamor Golf Club as part of their final tune-up for the DHL-Philippine Open.

The Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines (PGAP) is mobilizing the big names in its membership roster for the event, dubbed the VIP Celebrity Pro-Am, mainly aimed at drawing support for its various projects this year.

Part of the proceeds will also go to the Bantay Bata 163 ABS-CBN Foundation, according to PGAP president Sarge Negrido.

A brand-new Toyota Altis 1.6E through Toyota Motors Philippines,Inc. is at stake as a hole-in-one prize. Major sponsors are Mizuno/Master Sports, Handog Marketing and Industrial Waste Systems, Inc.

The tourney has also drawn the support of Sen. Tito Sotto, Sen. Loren Legarda, Lt. Gen. Nestor Santillan, Seibu Inc. of Fugio Fujii, Champion Regent, Ricardo Bedayo, Izakaya Kenta, The Junior Golf League, Inc., Cargohaus, USGTF, W-Eagle Pro Shop, Global Holiday, Red Bull, Pisanti, Ayala Land Properties Holdings, Inc.

Mizuno is putting up a package of special prizes and will award the winner with a full set of MS-11 irons, bag and wedges. The runner-up and third-placer will also get items from Mizuno.

About 50 local pros will be paired with invited VIPs from the government and business sector and celebrities in the tourney with the top teams set to receive cash (for the pros) and exciting items (for the amateurs).

"We hope to solidify our ranks with this tournament and play for cause at the same time. We’re glad to have gotten the support of our top pros as well as our friends from the business community for this project," said Negrido.

Aside from Casas and Pactolerin, among those who have confirmed participation were Carito Villaroman, Richard Sinfuego, rookie pro Jerome Delariarte, Cookie LaO, Rey Pagunsan, Antonio Lascuna and Benjie Magada.

The local pros are currently preparing for the 88th edition of the Philippine Open set Feb. 26-29 at the Langer course of the Riviera Golf and Country Club.