Former national champion Francis Gaston gears up for a showdown with the rest of a crack field vying in the Seniors Open in the 2016 Philippine Senior and Mid-Amateur Open Championship, which unfolds tomorrow at Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.
With last year’s champion Eddie Bagtas pulling out at the last minute, a wide-open battle loomed in the centerpiece Open division with Gaston tipped to slug it out for top honors with the likes of Rudy Amata, Jose Mari Hechanova, Dave Hernandez, Bobby Iñigo, Jose Iñigo, Raul Miñoza, Bong Sison and Rolly Viray in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation, hosted by Summit Point and organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.
Others in the fold are Alan Alegre, Abe Avena, Mike Besa, Ryu Fukui, Rex Goquingco, Kenjiro Ishihara, Ben Jacinto, Ed Manzinares, Randy Reyla, Daniel Samaniego and Benjie Sumulong.
The Seniors Open features players 55 years old as of June 15, 2016 with the gross stroke play competition spread over three days using the regular men’s blue tees.
Also on tap is the 36-hole play for Seniors Division I (60-64), Seniors Division II (65-69) and Super Senior Division (70 and above) set Thursday and Friday.
Geraldo Katigbak, Raul Montealto and Richard Salcedo, on the other hand, lead the chase in the Mid-Amateur competition featuring players 30 years old as of June 15, 2016 also set over 54 holes from the gold tees.