Handog, Popp gear up for Nicklaus T-of-C

MANILA, Philippines - Gerileen Handog and Christine Popp vow to go all out for victory as they set out for the Jack Nicklaus’ International Finals Tournament of Champions slated this month at The Bear’s Club Jupiter in Florida, USA.

Handog and Popp bested a host of others to win this year’s Jack Nicklaus International Invitational held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite earlier this year, clinching the lone berth in the T-of-C where they will also get a rare chance of meeting the legendary golfer.

“We are honored and definitely excited to be representing the country in the International Finals. We believe we can do it,” said Popp. 

The Filipina duo will slug it out with the other two-man teams around the world, including China, Denmark, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and the US. 

The Philippines has posted impressive finishes in the International Finals, including a championship in 2007 with Handog and Popp confident of their title chances.

“We believe we make up a good team. We complement each other’s strengths,” said Handog, who with Popp have been training for months for the final challenge.

At the Tournament of Champions, players are treated like golf superstars from the moment they arrive in the US - chauffeured cars, rooms overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and sumptuous banquets are just but some of the things they can look forward to.

The prize package includes round trip air transportation, luxury accommodations and hospitality, golf on Jack Nicklaus’ exclusive home course, The Bear’s Club, and mementoes to remember the once-in-a-lifetime experience.