THAILAND – The Philippines pins its hopes on three veterans and hopes to draw the best from its rookie as it opens its campaign in the Putra Cup today here, looking no less than an end to a long 13-year title drought in what is otherwise known as the Southeast Asian Golf Team Championship.
Rufino Bayron and Antonio Asistio, toughened up by their campaign abroad the last few months, and reigning national champion and veteran internationalist Mhark Fernando vow to put their act together right in the first round of 72-hole championship while Peter Villaber hopes to make the most of his first stint with the national team as they go up against a talent-laden field headed by defending champion Singapore and host Thailand.
The Santiburi Country Club course in Chiangrai has been spruced up to championship condition and is expected to bring out the best – or worst – from the competing field that includes top-notch teams from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Bayron, Asistio and Villaber are members of the ICTSI golf club while Fernando is playing out of Calatagan with the four making it to the team by topping the grueling qualifier staged by the National Golf Association of the Philippines at Mt. Malarayat and Riviera.
Hopes are also high for the crack RP women’s team which goes for the inaugural Santi Cup on a team built around Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda, Anya Tanpinco and reigning national champion Louise Manalo.
Jobim Carlos, Edward Reyes, Chepe Dulay, and Miguel Tabuena make up the junior squad competing in the third Lion City Cup.
“The short holes are hazard-laden while the long ones are really long so driving is very important,” said national team coach Bong Lopez. “Since the roughs are high, they have to keep the ball on the fairway to get a good shot at the pin.”
NGAP director Pablo Soon and NGAP sec-gen Jun Galindez head the RP delegation, which includes Jungolf’s Gerry Handog.