MANILA, Philippines - Pepot Inigo will be the marked man but a slew of others, including former five-time champion Iggy Clavecilla, will be out to stop his back-to-back title bid, guaranteeing a spirited battle for top honors in the Philippine Seniors Amateur Golf Championship which fires off tomorrow at Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club.
Inigo came from behind to beat Mari Hechanova at Riviera last year, ending a five-year reign by Clavecilla in the centerpiece Open division of the annual event serving as part of the NGAP (National Golf Association of the Phl) Globe Business Amateur Circuit.
A down-to-the-wire finish is again expected with former national champions Francis Gaston and Rolly Viray, Dave Hernandez, Lino Magpantay, Bing Bunye, Tony Olives, Jose Vilchez, Jimmy Tambogon and Hechanova joining the hunt for the crown.
Meanwhile, former President Fidel V. Ramos and DND Asec for Comptrollership Ernesto Boac representing Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, will hit the ceremonial drive to kick off the 54-hole NGAP tournament sponsored by Pancake, Mizuno, Titleist Golf Depot and Alveo Land Corp.
Joining them in the ceremonials are Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa, NGAP chair Rod Feliciano and NGAP president Tommy Manotoc.
Spicing up the event is the first Mid-Amateur division featuring players from the 30-54 age bracket with the Open category set over 54 holes and the Classes A (handicap 5-10) and B (10.1-16) to be played over 36 holes.
Also on tap are the age-group competitions set over 36 holes in the first and third day, including Category I (55-59), Category II (60-64), Category III (65-60), Super Senior I (70-74), Super Senior II (75-79) and Super Senior III (80 and above).
Registration is ongoing. For details, call NGAP office (632) 5179778, (632) 5577849 or fax (632) 7065926 or email ngapgolf@rocketmail.com or visit www.ngaponline.net.