Phl Asiad hero joins ICTSI Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Miguel Tabuena makes his first local appearance after winning the silver medal in the Asian Games as he leads the crack amateur cast in the ICTSI Tour Championship beginning Wednesday (Nov. 24) at the north course of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna.

Tabuena, 16, has confirmed his participation in the 54-hole tournament, confident he could slug it out with the country’s leading pros following his silver medal feat in the Asiad in Guangzhou, China last Saturday.

Tabuena blew the lead he had held in the first two days but hung tough and made a crucial par putt on the 72nd hole to beat Hung Chien Yao of Taiwan, who bogeyed the final hole, to bag the silver in a feat that spoke well of the character of the country’s leading jungolfer.

He will be joined in the tournament, the final leg of the 13-stage ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, by Phl teammate Jerson Balasabas and 19 other amateurs, including ICTSI members Dante Becierra, Carl Santos-Ocampo and Charles Hong, and fellow ICTSI-Cangolf mainstays Jobim Carlos and Junior World champion Rupert Saragoza.

Three-leg winner Marvin Dumandan heads the pro field vying for the top P200,000 purse in the P1 million tournament organizedby Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. with the long-hitting Davaoeño shotmaker all primed up for a grand slam finish after ruling the last two legs at Royal Northwoods and Mimosa.

Ushering in the event is the pro-am tournament on Tuesday with the leading pros teaming up with the invited amateur guests from the chief backers of the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Out to foil Dumandan’s bid are Jay Bayron, Artemio Murakami, Mars Pucay, Tony Lascuna, Benjie Magada, Cassius Casas, Richard Sinfuego, Rey Pagunsan, Ferdie Aunzo and Antonio Asistio II.

The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf and Odyssey and media partners BusinessMirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.