THE ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour gets going once more next week in Baguio City for the ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship slated on April 18-20 at the John Hay Golf Club.
Miguel Tabuena, at 17 the youngest winner on the pro circuit after topping the first leg in the ICTSI Splendido Classic in Tagaytay two weeks ago, will not be around as he is competing in the Indonesia Open set in the same week. He will be joined in the tournament by golf aces Elmer Salvador, Jay Bayron, Artemio Murakami, Angelo Que, Mars Pucay and Tony Lascuna.
Another absentee is Asian Tour No. 1 Juvic Pagunsan who is competing on the lucrative Japan PGA Tour in the Tsuruya Open in Hokkaido.
This major development leaves Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Cassius Casas, Rufino Bayron, Elmer Saban, Richard Sinfuego, Robert Pactolerin, Jerson Balasabas, Gerald Rosales, Dante Becierra, Jun Bernis and former national champion Clyde Mondilla as the chief contenders for the P200,000 top purse in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
The rolling John Hay course also hopes to provide a different kind of challenge for the men of the tour with the short but tricky par-69 course hosting a pro event for the first time since staging the Philippine Open in 1997.
Meanwhile, Sherwood Hills will host the third leg of the 16-stage circuit on April 25-28, the first of five four-day tournaments lined up this year. The others are the ICTSI Manila Southwoods on June 27-30, the Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu on Aug. 8-11, the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship on Aug. 15-18, and the season-ending ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on Dec. 12-15. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio