Seniors Amateur golf fires off May 6 at Riviera

MANILA, Philippines - It will be the country’s top golfing seniors’ turn to showcase their talent and skills as they clash for top honors in various categories, including the Open division, in the 2009 Philippine Senior Amateur Open slated May 6-8 at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

Iggy Clavecilla blew a seven-stroke lead in the final round but recovered in time to hold off Dave Hernandez and win by two shots to complete a record third straight championship in the centerpiece event for players 55 years old and above.

He is expected to head the crack field again next month with the Luisita mainstay out to stretch his reign in the 54-hole tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Other events on tap are Category II (60-64), Category III (65-69), Super Senior I (70-74) and Super Senior II (75 and above) to be played over 36 holes on May 6 and 8.

The NGAP said registration is ongoing with the fees pegged at P3,500 for local entries and $90 for foreign bets in the Open division and P2,500 and $65 in the age-group classes. This includes a free practice round on April 30.

Only NGAP issued handicap indexes will be honored.

Deadline for listup is on April 30. For details, contact NGAP at (632) 517-9778/5577849 or fax (632) 7065926 or email at [email protected], or at Riviera (02) 888-9127/(046) 414-2836 or fax (02) 888-9094/(046) 414-2837).

Aside from Clavecilla and Hernandez, other players tipped to crowd for the Open crown are Tommy Manotoc, Francis Gaston, Rolly Viray, Tony Olives, Caloy Coscolluela and Bing Bunye.