All set for PH Amateur Open Golf Championships

THE NEW YEAR brings forth a fierce battle in both the men’s and ladies divisions as the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships kicks off on Thursdayat the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

Wang Jeung Hun ran away with a six-shot victory over Jobim Carlos at the tough Riviera’s Langer layout last year, but the Korean teener faces a stiff challenge this time, not only from Carlos and the other local aces but also from a slew of foreign challengers.

Top players Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have confirmed participation in the blue-ribbon event, kicking off a series of tournaments lined up by organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. this year in its continuing effort to provide members of the national pool top-level tournaments.

But the challenge will most likely come from Carlos, who is coming off a big victory in last week’s NGAP National Doubles Golf Championship at the AFP Golf Club where he and partner Raymundo Gonzales dominated the field via a seven-stroke victory.

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning junior and national champion, former titlist Clyde Mondilla, John Kier Abdon, Art Arbole and Miggy Yee of the ICTSI-Canlubang squad, Cebu’s Lloyd Go and the crack squad from reigning PAL Interclub champion Del Monte, led by Noel Langamin, Magno Arancon and Leonard Lofranco, are also in the fold, ensuring a battle royale in the four-day stroke-play championship.

A down-to-the-wire battle is also seen in the ladies side with Andie Unson tipped to go up against her teammates in the ICTSI squad, headed by Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa and Lovelynn Guioguio. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio