The Country Club Invitational, long considered a major championship for its prize fund and stellar cast, fires off Feb. 14, kicking off the new season of the Philippine Golf Tour at the exclusive TCC layout in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Miguel Tabuena nipped three-time champion Juvic Pagunsan in a thrilling finish last year, joining the elite circle of winners in what has become the country’s most awaited championship outside of the Solaire Philippine Open.
The same ending is expected in the R5 million tournament, put up by ICTSI boss Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father and ICTSI founder Don Pocholo with the select cast, composed of the top 30 players from last year’s PGT Order of Merit ranking and past TCC Invitational champions, all coming into the event in top shape following the start of the PGT Asia early this month.
The elite list includes the event’s three-time winners – Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan and former titlists Tony Lascuña, Frankie Miñoza and Artemio Murakami. Inaugural Cassius Casas, however, won’t be around due to health reasons.
Still, the roster is teeming with talent with reigning OOM winner Clyde Mondilla headlining the roster of challengers along with in-form Jhonnel Ababa, back-to-back winner of the PGT Asia at Eagle Ridge and Pradera Verde, Zanieboy Gialon, Jay Bayron, Rene Menor, Michael Bibat and Elmer Salvador.