Fernando, Ababa duel looms at ICTSI-Calatagan

Mhark Fernando and Dabawenyo Jhonnel Ababa hope to flaunt their local knowledge of the Calatagan layout as they lead the title chase in the P1 million ICTSI Calatagan Challenge unfolding Oct. 26 in Batangas.

Fernando, Ababa and the rest of the ICTSI-Cangolf squad have made the challenging par-72 course their base during the National Caddies Open days where they honed their talent and skills, giving them an edge in terms of familiarity in the upcoming event.

Fernando is seeking a follow-up to his breakthrough victory at ICTSI Del Monte Championship last August where he beat current Order of Merit leader Juvic Pagunsan by one in Bukidnon.

The former national champion, however, groped for form in the succeeding legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, missing the cut at Aboitiz Invitational and winding up outside of the top 10 at ICTSI Riviera and ICTSI Sherwood legs.

Ababa, on the other hand, is looking for his third win in the circuit after nipping Jay Bayron at ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge and dominating the field at ICTSI Riviera Classic last month.

Meanwhile, some of the leading pros in the 69-player starting field get their chance to test the layout in the traditional pro-am tournament on Oct. 25 where they will be paired with the amateur players making up the roster of the event’s chief backers.

They include MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.

Also vying for the top P200,000 purse in the 14th leg of the 16-stage circuit are Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuña, Cassius Casas, Artemio Murakami, Antonio Asistio II, Rufino Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Jun Bernis, Anthony Fernando, Gerald Rosales, Rey Pagunsan, Robert Pactolerin, Elmer Saban and Carl Santos-Ocampo.

From Calatagan, the tour shifts to Canlubang for the ICTSI Canlubang Golf Invitational on Nov. 9-11 before winding up at Wack Wack for the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on Nov. 23-25.

Like the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship, the Wack Wack event will offer a total prize fund of P2.5 million tournament with the winner receiving P450,000.(pr)