Philippines seniors upbeat of ASEAN bid at home

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines hopes to buck the pressure and live up the hype as it kicks off its bid for the overall championship in the 34th ASEAN Senior Amateur Golf Championships firing off today at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country in Cavite.

The hosts seek to flash their local knowledge of the Aoki and Norman courses and come up with a strong start to their title retention drive in team and individual gross competitions even as they go all out to snare the overall championship from Brunei in the three-day competition among six nations.

“I think this is the strongest team we have assembled,” said Lino Magpantay, who along with Eddie Bagtas, Ryan Abdon, Ed Manzanarez led Phl to the prestigious Tun Henry H.S. Lee Challenge Trophy for their team gross win in 2016.

“We’ll do our best to defend our title in stroke play and also win the overall championship here,” he added.

Out to foil the host’s bid are Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.

The organizing Federation of Philippine ASEAN Senior Golfers, Inc. is fielding in 59 bets, who are vying for top honors in the centerpiece stroke play (gross and net) and Stableford play featuring the age groups 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75-over.

Close to 300 golfers from the region are taking part in the event with Thailand fielding the biggest team with 60, followed by Phl, Malaysia (48), Singapore (39), Brunei (33), and Indonesia (15).

According to FPASGI president Melito Salazar Jr., the hosting is timely considering it is the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN and the Phl chairs the organization this year.

The event is sponsored by Camella, OmniPay, QuickMinds Corporation, Steel Asia, MegaFiber Food Fiber Health Supplement, Eastridge Senior Golfers, Royal Northwoods Senior Golfers, Mimosa Senior Golfers Association, Rayman Builders, Inc., Civic Merchandising Inc., Senior Golfers Association of Eagle Ridge, Valley Golf Seniors Association, Inc., El Masfino Hotel and Resort, PDG Emiliano D. Joven, PDG. Jess Nicdao, Cocolife, CP/PAG Licerio “Jun” G. Sebastian, Luisita Central Park Hotel – PDG. Jessie Cano Chua, Riviera Seniors Golf Club, Mr. Lucas F. Pasiliao - Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in The Philippines, Inc. (Senior Citizen’s Partylist), Rizgolf Sports Marketing, PR Savings Bank, C.M. Pancho Construction, Inc., Mitsubishi Motors, Philippines Sports Commission, PAGCOR, Life Oil Pure Malunggay Oil Extract, Gardenia, R.D. Interior Junior Construction General Engineering and General Building, Genetron International Marketing, Philippine Navy Golf Seniors, Federation of Philippine Amateur Senior Golfers, Inc. (FPASGI), Senior Golfers of Veterans, Inc., RCBC, Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club Seniors, Club Intramuros Senior Golfers Association, Capitol Senior Golfers, Inc., Ambassador Vidal Erfe Querol, The Bayleaf Cavite, Summit Ridge Tagaytay, Clean Masters Inc. – Fernando “Randy” Reyla, Golf Info Network, and Camp Aguinaldo Seniors Club. Partners are Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club, Province of Cavite, Philippine Airlines, The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN, Business Mirror, Manila Bulletin, and Inquirer.