MANILA, Philippines - A spirited battle among the country’s leading players and top bets from various clubs is expected right in the first round of the WWWExpress-DHL Amateur Golf Championships, which begins today at the north course of Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.
Reymon Jaraula, Magno Arancon and Noel Langamin, members of last year’s PAL Interclub champion team, Del Monte, head the chase for top honors in the boys’ side of the event, along with Southwoods’ AR Ramos and Miggy Yee, Alabang’s Andres Saldaña and Cangolf’s Joey Huerva.
Last year’s champion Korean Wang Jeung Hun is not in the list but a host of other Koreans are in the fold, including Jung Han Mil, Lee Jae Ung, Won Yong Hwi and Kim Sung Woong of Riviera and Kim Tae Woo, Kim Yun Sik, Park Jin Young, Mun Jae Hyeong and Lee Dong Wook of Royal Northwoods.
Defending girls champion Lovelynn Guioguio also faces a stiff challenge from fellow ICTSI team members Daniella Uy, Sarah Ababa, Jayvie Agojo, Princess Superal, Sunshine Baraquiel, last year’s runner-up Andie Unson and reigning Queen Sirikit Cup champion Dottie Ardina.
Others vying for the crown in the event, sponsored by WWWExpress and DHL and serving as the second leg of the NGAP-Globe Amateur Golf Circuit, are Orchard’s Mikhaela Fortuna, Riviera’s Lee Ye Rin and Jan Punzalan and Ann Sabater of Eastridge.
Globe Telecom is the main presentor of the year-round 11-stage circuit sanctioned and organized by the NGAP. The first leg was the Philippine Amateur with the third stage – the Philippine Amateur Closed Golf Championship – slated April 11-15 at Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club in Cavite.
Other sponsors of the WWWExpress-DHL tournament are Pancake House, Air Philippines and Golf Depot.
The NGAP, now headed by sportsman Tommy Manotoc, has linked up with Globe Telecoms late last year to launch the new amateur circuit where members of the national team for various international tournaments will be selected.