FVR special guest in Jungolf anniversary tilt

Former President Fidel V. Ramos and top officials of various golf organizations and companies will hit the ceremonial balls for the 30th anniversary tournament of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines tomorrow at the well-kept Riviera Golf and Country Club Couples in Silang, Cavite.

Also invited to join Ramos and Jungolf president Generoso "Bang" Mamaril in the opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. are Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines Inc. president Ogie Manalo, Philippine Airlines president Jimmy Bautista, Admiral Luisito Fernandez and Bobby Santiago of the National Golf Association of the Philippines and Riviera president Commodore Danny Pizarro.

Organizers, meanwhile, have decided to send off the field of more than 150 players composed of present players, alumni via shotgun start at 9 a.m. Players are requested to register as early as 7 a.m.

Toyota Balintawak’s Cosco Oben, the former world jungolf champion, has upgraded the hole-in-one prize from a Toyota Vios to a Toyota Innova which will be at stake on the sixth hole.

Samsung Electronics Phils., Nike through its local distributor Pacsports Phils., Philippine Airlines, Unilever, SportsPlus and Riviera Golf & Country Club are the major backers.

Highlights of the tourney will be aired on Sports Plus via a two-hour special.

Minor sponsors include Smart Communications, PlyoSports, Vernida Realty, First Asia Mobile, Garsworth Marketing Inc., Snickers, Custom Clubmakers, Sunbolt, Golf Gallery, BAYO, Mayor Freddie Tinga, Mayor Areng Poblete, Regent Travel, Marin Sports, Ford Edsa, Antonio Hernandez, Ramar Printing, Citimotors, JC Master Supplies Inc., Client Logic, Cross Link, Information Professionals Inc., DDT Konstruct, Inc., FR Sevilla Industrial & Dev’t Corp., Alpa Plumbing Works, Inc., LJ Industrial Fabrication, Voltage Electrical Contractor, GF & Partners Architects, Inquirer Golf, Tropiko and Salemaire.

Also playing are top professionals Cassius Casas, Danny Zarate, Carito Villaroman and Ramon Brobio as well as Mary Grace Estuesta, Ruby Chico and Terence Macatangay who just earned a golf scholarship with the University of Portland.

Amalia Montecillo, founder of the jungolf movement, and the other officers of Jungolf will be joining the kids and special guests in the awards ceremony.