Minoza joins title hunt in Aboitiz Cebu tilt

Frankie Minoza takes a break from his hectic European seniors tour and Japan PGA Tour campaigns as he joins the chase for top P200,000 purse in the Aboitiz Cebu Country Club Invitational unfolding Aug. 11 at the Cebu Country Club in Cebu City.

This marks the first time that Minoza will be slugging it out with the cream of the country’s crop since finishing joint sixth in The Country Club Invitational in January with the former two-time Philippine Open champion hoping to contend for top honors this time.

Although he now has a busy schedule on the seniors tour abroad, the 50-year-old Minoza has always made himself available to play on the local tour whenever he’s free, providing inspiration to the local pros, particularly the younger ones.

Minoza’s presence is also expected to add prestige to the P1 million event, which already teems with talent in Asian Tour regulars Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que, Tony Lascuna, Artemio Murakami and Mars Pucay.

Also in the fold are leg winners on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, headed by reigning RP Open winner Elmer Salvador, Marvin Dumandan and Benjie Magada and young turks Ferdie Aunzo, Jay Bayron, Antonio Asistio II and Rufino Bayron.

The tournament serves as the 10th leg of the 14-stage ICTSI-PGT circuit with Aboitiz Equity Ventures coming in as chief sponsor of the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

With Minoza and a slew of talents in the 80-player roster, a wide open battle is seen right in the first round of the tournament backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf,
Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Business Mirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of
Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.

Others in the fold are Richard Sinfuego, Jun Bernis, Elmer Saban, Michael Bibat, Gene Bondoc, Anthony Fernando, Jerome Delariarte, Omar Dungca, Cookie La’O, Rey Pagunsan, Carito Villaroman, Danny Zarate and former RP Open champion Robert Pactolerin.

The event will be ushered in by the traditional pro-am tournament on Aug. 10 featuring officials and guests of the sponsoring Abotiz Equity Ventures and presentor International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

The one-day pro-am will also serve as tune-up for the leading pros as they try to familiarize themselves with the tight, challenging par-72 layout, back as host of the pro circuit after a long absence.(pr)