Golf body cites help of CAT, ICTSI

The pride and legacy of the Philippine Open, Asia’s oldest national championship, lives on with the staging of the 98th edition by the National Golf Association of the Philippines at the historic Luisita Golf Club from Dec. 17-20.

The National Golf Association of the Philippines, owner of the Open franchise, is happy and thankful for the support extended by Martin Lorenzo of Central Azucarera de Tarlac, which operates Luisita, and Ricky Razon of presenter ICTSI for this year’s tournament.

All three organizations, in partnership with the Asian Tour, will be working hand-in-hand to ensure the smooth operation of the Open, which is also sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, Smart, San Miguel Corp.,and Amon Trading and backed by Ayala Land and Suntrust Properties.

“We want to end the year with a blast that’s why we are working double time now in our arrangements and planning. The Open is important to us as it our living legacy in Philippine golf,” said NGAP president Carlos Coscolluela.

With barely a week left before the opening of the tournament, Luisita’s demanding course is already in championship shape and ready to take on the challenge of the expected full field of 132 players in this final tournament on the Asian Tour schedule.

The storied Philippine Open has produced great champions in the past, including Larry Montes, Celestino Tugot, Ben Arda and Luis Silverio, who won as an amateur in 1966, and current stars Frankie Minoza and Angelo Que.