MEMBERS of the Sta. Elena Golf Club are beginning to see some changes in their course as the club has started giving teeth to the layout in preparation for the hosting of the International Series Philippines, the biggest and most star-studded tournament in the country in years.
“They noticed that the rough is getting higher and because of this, some have lost balls while also finding some that are not theirs,” said Sta. Elena general manager Mary Grace Estuesta when contacted Saturday to comment on the preparations.
The Philippines is one of the latest destinations for the International Series, a cluster of events spread over several countries that have been integrated into the Asian Tour schedule. The series also provide a pathway for top Asian players to get onto the LIV Golf League.
Estuesta, formerly the country’s top woman player and many-time Philippine Ladies Open champion, said there had been continuing communications between IS officials and Sta. Elena management regarding the best way to make the tournament a total experience for local and overseas fans.
She said they were invited to Macau during the IS tournament held there early this year so they could observe how the tournament is conducted and learn from it.
“It was a new experience, totally big and different,” said Estuesta of the Macau trip.
Estuesta, however, could not say what other changes are being planned for Sta. Elena and said there could be more as the tournament will draw some of the big names in LIV Golf.
At 7,300 yards from the tips and one of the most challenging courses in the country, Asian Tour officials overseeing the management of the tournament understandably want it to be more challenging than what it currently offers.
Already, four major champions have been mentioned as participants. These are Patrick Reed (Masters), Bubba Watson (Masters, two times), Charl Schwartzel (Masters) and Louis Oosthuizen (The Open).
Miguel Tabuena out to lead local contingent
The local challenge will be led by Miguel Tabuena who have competed this year in International Series tournaments in Macau, India, Japan and Morocco.
Other Filipinos in the field have not yet been named although Justine Quiban, who also competed in three IS events this year, is likely to be included, along with Angelo Que and a few others.
The event will have a total prize of $2 million making it the biggest in the history of golf in the Philippines. Earlier this year, the Philippine Open was also held as part of the Asian Tour with a prize money of $500,000.
Meanwhile, there is still no announcement whether the event will be free to the public during the first two days. But Saturday and Sunday ticket price has been pegged at P1,200.22.
Interested parties can order tickets through https://tinyurl.com/634sur58.
Thursday and Friday though are free for fans, but still needs to register thru the same ticketing link to secure their slots.
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