65th Fil-Am looms as biggest with over 1000 to play

MANILA, Philippines -  The San Miguel Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament braces for a grand 65th staging with 1,225 players from 235 teams set to see action in the annual two-category championship firing off Nov. 22 at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay courses in Baguio City.

BCC golf manager Roanne Galicia said 46 teams are vying in the seniors side with Megafiber seeking to keep the crown in the 10th year of the event for 55 years old and above players. Megafiber, which essayed a 16-point romp over CJH Seniors lasrt year, opens its bid on Nov. 24.

Megafiber pounced on CJH’s penalties coming from two of its players to clinch the win and end the three-year reign of the co-host team.

Fil-Am golf chairman Anthony de Leon said the ceremonial tee will be held Nov. 21 with the regular competition to unfold Dec. 1.

The Fil-Am golf, which now stands for Filipino Amateur, according to honorary chair and BCC president Federico Agcaoili, will also feature teams from the United States, Guam, Okinawa, Saipan, Australia and New Zealand.

Mizuno, meanwhile, primes up for its title-retention drive in the centerpiece event, a five-to-play, four-to-count format using the Stableford scoring system.

Mizuno whipped the field last year, assembling 504 points for a 32-shot romp over Team Sparta which was bannered by Tonton Asistio, whose sterling four-day total of 135 points went for naught.

Asistio, who ran away with the individual crown, is expected to lead Sparta again as he gears up for a rematch with Mizuno’s top scorer King Stehmeier. Others expected to suit up for Mizuno are Justin Limjap, Rodel Mangalubnan and former pro Raymund Sangil.