Pro golf’s big guns to vie in six-leg tour

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is organizing a six-leg, six-day, marathon golf tournament covering golf courses in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Dubbed as the "Strong Republic Nautical Highway Golf Super Tour," the golf tournament has already attracted the country’s top golf professionals who have been invited to participate in the event.

Already the top 10 golf pros in the country have signed up to participate in the tournament, namely: Richard Sinfuego, Cassius Casas, Marciano Pucay, Benjie Magada, Tony Lascuna, Rey Pagunsan, Robert Pactolerin, Elmer Salvador, Ruben Sasutil, and Rodrigo Cuello.

The golf tournament is expected to draw not only tourists’ but also sportsmen’s attention to the "Strong Republic Nautical Highway," the vital shipping route linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The tourney which has been in the works for a few weeks now will involve six golf courses: Villamor Golf Club in Pasay City, Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Batangas, Fairways and Blue Waters in Boracay, Sta. Barbara Golf Club in Iloilo, Marapara in Bacolod City, and Del Monte Golf Club in Cagayan de Oro.

Alfonso Cusi, PPA general manager, said that both foreign and local tourists have experienced a significantly cheaper mode of travel from Luzon to Mindanao via the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.

"Maybe, it is about time we can test how these vital linkages constituting the nautical highway can help develop our sports industry," Cusi pointed out, underscoring that through the golf tournament, other organizers "can perhaps make use of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway" to promote other sports events.

Cusi said the golf tournament is being organized to promote tourism and sports and to further illustrate how the Strong Republic Nautical Highway can ben utilized "as a tool for invigorating the country’s economy."