DAVAO – The Philippine Golf Tour kicks off at the Apo Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, promising a rousing showdown as former champions, seasoned campaigners and emerging talents vie for supremacy.
The P2.5 million tournament, known as the Apo Golf Classic, boasts an impressive roster, including past Order of Merit winners Tony Lascuña, Clyde Mondilla, Jobim Carlos, Elmer Salvador and Jay Bayron, reigning titlist Jhonnel Ababa, and recent PGT Q-School graduates.
Apo tests pros' mettle
The field will not only battle among themselves but also contend with Apo's narrow fairways and undulating greens, with lots water and trees as additional hazards.
Lascuña, Salvador, Bayron and Ababa, all armed with their knowledge of the course at the foothills of Mt. Apo, are eager to make an early impact.
“We have a slight edge, but there’s a lot of strong players, including the young ones,” said Lascuna, who reigned here when Apo last hosted a PGT event in 2019.
“I was younger then, now I’m old,” said the 53-year-old Lascuna during Monday’s pro-am. “I will just focus on my game. Everyone has a chance here, so it’s about who will play well all week.”
Mondilla, a noted long hitter, plans to keep his driver in the bag, opting for a more conservative approach due to Apo’s tight fairways.
“I’ll be using 4-iron off the tee, so lesser mistakes,” said Mondilla, who is using the first two PGT events to fine-tune his game in preparation for his campaign in Japan next month. “I can’t attack here, the fairways are narrow and the greens are also difficult to read.”
Apo firm and fast
Multi-titled Guido van der Valk, meanwhile, said the course is firm and playing fast, emphasizing the need to focus on ball control and strategic course management.
“It will be interesting but quite tricky to score because it’s not easy to hit the fairways and greens since the ball bounces a lot. If you can play it safe, you’ll be alright,” said van der Valk.
Despite the challenges, he acknowledged the advantage of homegrown talents at Apo.
“The main thing about Apo is that all the top golfers in the country come from this golf club and they’re all here. So my chances are quite difficult but will give it a try,” said the two-time The Country Club Invitational champion.
While the wily veterans are tipped to fight for honors, no one is underestimating Q School champion AIdric Chan's chances. The young lion served notice when he beat the pros in qualifying and is likely to give the field a run for their money.
Other contenders include last year’s leg winners Ira Alido, Rupert Zaragosa and Reymon Jaraula with golf legend Frankie Miñoza joining the fray.
The field also features notable names such as Dino Villanueva, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Albin Engino, Korean Hyun Ho Rho, Nilo Salahog, Mars Pucay, Gerald Rosales and Dan Cruz.
Q-School graduates are also expected to stir up play with talents like Kuresh Samanodi, Kristoffer Arevalo, Randy Garalde, Joseph Labajo, Ramil Bisera, Ryan Monsalve, Ivan Monsalve, Jelbert Gamolo, Brent Sumampong, Josh Jorge, Jonas Magcalayo, Leandro Bagtas and Lanz Uy ready to make their mark.
International flair is added by Koreans Min Hyeok Yu, Gwon Minwook, Kang Chon Koo and Tae Won Kim, Japanese Toru Nakajima, Koji Inoue, Kei Matsuoka, Daiya Suzuki and Ozeki Kakeru, and Drew Proctor and Collin Wheeler of the US, promising a fierce competition in all four days.
The Apo Classic is the first of two legs in Davao Next is the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship from March 19-22 at the Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.
The tour is organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and supported by PGTI official apparel, Kampfortis Golf.
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