BAGUIO , Philippines – The 60th Fil-Am golf championship fires off today with hostilities in the seniors division kicking off the two-week tournament that drew more than a thousand participants at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay courses here.
John Hay, backstopped by Bong Mandapat and retired generals Nelson Eslao and Clyde Cabreros and Fred Puckett, looms as the team to beat in the Fil championship flight in the absence of Golden Oats.
“Everything is set and we have more than enough players for the Fil-Am,” said BCC resident manager and tournament co-chairman Shin Paul Chan.
The event drew a huge turnout despite the damage wrought by typhoon Pepeng in the city and its neighboring provinces last month.
“The golfers will not only be playing golf but is also helping the economy of the city, as well as the country,” the organizers said.
Set on two golf courses – the par-61 BCC and par- 69 CJH – the tournament will use the PAL Modified system.
The seniors division will end on Dec. 3 while the regular competition is slated Dec. 7-12. – Artemio Dumlao