ICTSI backs 95th Phl Open at Wack Wack

The International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), a long-time
patron of Philippine golf, underscores its role as the sport¹s chief backer as it sponsors the Philippine Open slated May 12-15 at Wack Wack¹s East Course in Mandaluyong City.

The $300,000 event marks the return of the country¹s premier golf
championship, and Asia¹s oldest, to the Asian Tour calendar after a two-year absence and will serve as the seventh leg of this year¹s circuit with ICTSI as the event’s presentor.

"It has been our continuing commitment to help our pros improve not only their respective games but also boost their confidence," said ICTSI chairman Ricky Razon. "By playing alongside the leading players in Asia and other regions will give majority of our players a different kind of challenge."

ICTSI, host Wack Wack and the National Golf Association of the Phils., the country’s governing body for golf, worked hand in hand to raise the minimum prize fund according to Asian Tour’s standards. The other chief backers of the Phl Open are San Miguel Corp., Globe Telecoms and HSBC.

The Asian Tour's minimum prize for each leg is $300,000 while an additional $200,000 is needed for operations.

ICTSI has been supporting a number of Phl golfers on the Asian and European Tours, including Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, Artemio Murakami, Tony Lascuna and last year¹s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner Jay Bayron.

The world¹s leading port operator is also at the forefront of local pro golf through the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., which organizes the year-long, nationwide ICTSI-PGT circuit. It has also supported amateur golf since 2005 and just last year, added the jungolfers to its fold.

Although Murakami took last year¹s all-peso Philippine Open title at Valley Golf Club in Antipolo, it was Que who last won the Phl Open as an Asian Tour event in 2008, beating a crack international field, also at Wack Wack. Elmer Salvador won the other all-peso Phl Open title in 2009 at Mt. Malarayat.

The Philippine Open will be held after the rich $2.8 million Ballantine¹s
Championship on April 28-May 1 in Korea, a joint-sanctioned event by the Asian and European Tours.(pr)