Laguna: The Philippine Golf Tour, Inc. will kick off with the PHP6 million The Country Club (TCC) Invitational set Jan. 27 to 30 in Laguna province. South Korean Minwook Gwon is the reigning champion in the event held in honor of ICTSI founder Don Pocholo Razon, also an avid golfer.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 23-year-old Gwon triumphed last year after edging Dutch Guido van der Valk, a two-time champion, in a sudden-death playoff. Filipino Angelo Que is also eyeing the crown after claiming his first-ever Order of Merit crown last season, highlighted by victories in the opening two legs and a string of Top-5 finishes. Other contenders are Keanu Jahns, the only three-leg winner last season, including the Match Play Championship, Fidel Concepcion, Rupert Zaragosa, Reymon Jaraula, Clyde Mondilla, and former champion Tony Lascu±a.
Meanwhile, South Korean Kim Kayoung is expected to defend her title in the Philippine Ladies Masters on Feb. 4 to 6. Standouts from the Thailand LPGA, Taiwan LPGA and Korean Dream Tour, alongside the LPGT's top players and rising stars, and those from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan are joining the second edition of the USD200,000, 54-hole event, which moves from The Country Club to the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.
Also scheduled are the PGT Qualifying School on March 24 to 27 at Splendido Taal Golf Club, followed by the opening legs of both the PGT and LPGT regular seasons, also from March 24 to 27, at Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite. Junior golf takes center stage beginning April 7 to 9 at Summit Point. For the first time, the Luzon and the Visayas-Mindanao series will be staged simultaneously, ensuring minimal disruption to school schedules while taking advantage of favorable weather conditions.
The Vis-Min series will start on April 8 to 10 at Mactan Island Golf Course in Cebu, with the second legs following closely - April 14 to 16 for Luzon at Mount Malarayat, also in Batangas, and April 13 to 15 for the Vis-Min series at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club. The season will once again culminate in the much-anticipated North versus South showdown in September at TCC, reinforcing the JPGT's role as the country's most important breeding ground for future champions.
The second edition of the ICTSI Intercollegiate will begin on April 26 at Splendido Taal. The event is a partnership with the Philippine Golf Foundation.
