ICTSI Phl Masters on at old Villamor

MANILA, Philippines - The touring pros make a sentimental trip back in time when they start play today in the ICTSI Philippine Masters, a revival of one of the past Philippine majors over its old home in Villamor.

And there will be some tinge of nostalgia as the best Filipino pros and a crack international field relive the glory years of the event, that offers a total purse of P2 million, at the 7,000-yard course.

Will there be a shootout and a slew of subpar rounds as the better-armed men of the tour try to raze the old course to the ground in 72 holes of play?

Or will they succmb to the demand and pressure of impeccable short game as the old layout draws up subtle defenses in its undulating puttting surface, narrow fairways, sleek greens and ancient trees?

This is one event and one course where the bowling-lane line fairways and compact greens and old trees neutralize the big hitters and put premium on patience and wondrous touch aound thre green.

“You just can’t take Villamor for granted. It could yield low scores but it could also punish those who commit even the slightest mistake,” said Robert Pactolerin, an old hand at the military layout

But Clyde Mondilla, who beat Miguel Tabuena and Tony Lascuña by one to win the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship, likened a course whose make-up is so similar to where he honed his talent and skills.

“Villamor is like Del Monte, the fairways, the grass and the surface. So I feel like I’m playing right at home,” said Mondilla during yesterday’s pro-am of the P2 million event sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

The event actually marks the return of what used to be one of the country’s version of four majors with Cassius Casas topping the last Masters in 2000, nipping Pactolerin in sudden death.

Long-hitting Orlan Sumcad, meanwhile, ruled the pro-am with amateur partners Benjie Castañeda, Bong Sacro and Angelo David with a 17-under 55 total, edging Edward Reyes, with Nestor Sevilla, Domeng de Leon and Derek Ramsay, by one.

Lascuña, another pre-tournament favorite, placed third with a 57 with Ben Gorospe, Michael Montero and Richard Querido.

“The course is also tough. One errant drive will put you in tough spot under the trees where it would be impossible to go for a birdie,” said Lascuña, winner of five tournaments last year who also won the Manila Masters at Eastridge last month.