Pinewoods hosts first-ever pro event
The ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour makes its first stop at Pinewoods in Baguio this week, but despite the layout being the shortest in the busy season at just over 6,600 yards, the chase for top honors in the P2.5 million event will not be a cakewalk.
Designed by the great Gary Player, the mountain course will make every competitor think it out on whether to bomb away of play with some restraint, mainly because no one has a clear local knowledge of the layout.
Antonio Lascuña, the five-time Order of Merit winner who skipped last week’s ADT event at Luisita to prepare for Pinewoods, doesn ot believe that the long hitters can overwhelm the course.
“It will only take a small miss for big numbers to come in play,” the 55-year-old Lascuña told the Inquirer after practice at Manila Southwoods. “You have to be very precise with every shot.”
The cream of the pro crop, along with a slew of emerging local stars, are expected to headline the elite Pinewoods field. A strong international contingent is likewise set to challenge for top honors, adding further depth and intrigue to the championship.
A 54-hole Ladies PGT will also be held. Harmie Constantino will be looking to win a second straight title after dominating at Caliraya Springs where Angelo Que, the 47-year-old, rallied from five shots down to win.
Que is the reigning OOM champ and will be coming off a top 10 finish at Luisita. Sean Ramos, who finished five shots behind champion Michele Ortolani of Italy in a tie for fifth, is also expected to see action in the City of Pines.
