ICTSI Tour resumes at Eagle Ridge

MANILA, Philippines – The ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational gets going today with a full roster of 73 pros, headed by first leg champion Danny Zarate, battling it out for top honors, including the P200,000 purse, at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Dye layout in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Zarate flashed vintage form to beat sophomore pro Marvin Dumandan by three shots in a two-man duel at the ICTSI Classic Mt. Malarayat last February, the kick off leg of a 10-leg circuit spread over the country’s championship courses.

It was Zarate’s first victory since topping the Ericsson Tour’s PGA tilt at Wack Wack in 1998 with the Sun Valley pro hopeful of sustaining his form, including in this week’s P1 million tournament sponsored by ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.) and backed by MJ Carr Golf.

Unlike in the first leg, however, a wild chase for the crown among the veterans and the upcoming players is expected in the 54-hole event with the par-72 Dye course providing the challenge for the competing field with its long 7,293 yardage, rolling fairways and sleek greens.

Tipped to join the title hunt are Jerome Delariarte, Joenard Rates, Orlan Sumcad, Juanito Pagunsan, Erwin Arcillas, Cassius Casas, Vic Santia, Jomar Pepito, Jay Bayron and Christopher delos Santos.

Others fancied to crowd the favorites are Tony Lascuna, who is taking time out from his Asian Tour campaign along with former national amateur champions Ferdie Aunzo and Anthony Fernando, who are both making their pro debut on the local soil.

Mars Pucay, another Asian Tour campaigner, and veterans Elmer Salvador, Robert Pactolerin, Dan Cruz, Rodrigo Cuello, Danny delos Santos, Antolin Fernando, Ruben Sasutil, Richard Sinfuego and Carito Villaroman are also in the fold.

A crack roster of amateurs will also be trying to humble the pros the way Rufino Bayron did in ruling the Valley leg of the ICTSI Tour late last year, including Tonton Asistio, Jerson Balasabas, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Dante Becierra and Bayron.

An 18-hole pro-am tournament ushered in the event yesterday featuring top officials of ICTSI and Eagle Ridge and guests from Pisanti, The Country Club, Srixon, FAMI, Filgolf, Business Mirror, Pinoygolfer.com, Motorola, Omnisource and Pepsico.

ICTSI, the world leader in port management which helped boost the junior and amateur golf when it put up a team after the SEA Games here in 2005, put up the circuit with a three-leg tournament late last year in its continuing effort to help the pros and provide them a series of tournaments where they could hone their talent and skills.