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Arrived at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club this morning before the proam started. I didn’t play as I still had stuff to do for the Business Mirror Golf section due out this Thursday. After the proam, I did manage to sneak out for a quick nine holes on the Lobo course which will serve as the back nine for the pros at the Open.

The course setup today was forgiving. Pins were cut in friendly positions and the greens were heavily watered and were soft and receptive. I don’t think they’ll be watered again until the end of the tournament, but you never know.

The field is strong; the only one missing is Juvic Pagunsan who told me at Canlubang last week that he probably would be playing. I guess he still has hard feelings with the NGAP over the incidents when he was still an amateur. Sad, but I think he will get over that in time.

Frankie Miñoza is here and ready to play, as are Angelo Que, Antonio Lascuña, Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan, Richard Sinfuego, Anthony Fernando and a host of others including local residents former Philippine Open Champion Rick Gibson and Asian Tour regular Guido Van Der Valk. Another one to watch is 15-year old amateur Miguel Tabueña, Rick Gibson’s ward; it’ll be interesting to see how he stacks up against the pros this week.

All in all, things look pretty good for this week’s Open. True, there’s a dearth of foreign golfers, but the given the suddenness of the the announcement, it’s little wonder that they weren’t able to get bigger names here in time. But this is the opportunity for our local pros to shine. Angelo Que is the prohibitive favorite in my book; he’s won twice here at Mt. Malarayat, albeit on a different combination of nines.

It’ll be a great week for golf. Come down and spectate if you can squeeze it into your busy schedule. Admission is free. Hope to see you here.

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