Carlos eyes Meralco title with new pal

MANILA, Philippines - National team mainstay Jobim Carlos sets out for a second straight Meralco National Doubles Amateur (Closed) Championship crown with a new partner in Jonar Austria when the event is held Dec. 26-28 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong.

But out to foil his bid is former teammate and national team player Raymond Gonzales, who has linked up with junior golfer Gabriel Manotoc. Others tipped to contend for the crown in the three-day event organized by the National Golf Association of the Phils. are national team player Rupert Zaragosa with jungolfer JP De Claro, LJ Go with Edzel Tan and Lawrence Celestino, coming off a big victory in the last week’s Philex NGAP Northern Luzon Regionals, with Kenneth Kano.

The event, sponsored by Pancake House, Titleist by Empire Golf, Pacsports and Golf Depot and serving as the final leg of the Globe Business Amateur Circuit, features the two-ball (foursome) in the first day, the four-ball (best ball) in the second and the aggregate in the final round.

“I’d like to thank Globe Business for its all-out support to this year’s amateur circuit, which kept our top amateurs and rising stars busy the whole season,” said NGAP president Tommy Manotoc.

Top ICTSI bet Princess Superal, also the reigning Southern Ladies Open champion, teams up with jungolfer Daniella Uy, winner of the Philex NGAP Regional ladies crown, as they lead the cast in the distaff side that includes upcoming jungolfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dana Gonzales, Philippine Junior Amateur champion Mia Legaspi and Felicia Medalla, and former national team player Andie Unson and Lorna Tabuena.

Meanwhile, Wack Wack is making the course available on Dec. 24 for practice rounds starting at 10 a.m. upon payment of appropriate fees, according to the NGAP.

Other titles to be disputed in the tournament are the Group II (minimum handicap of 5.1), and Group III (mid-amateur, 40 years old).

The event also serves as tune-up for next year’s Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships slated Jan. 7-10 at the fabled Wack Wack East Course.