Guido Van der Valk tries to make it two in a row in the Visayan swing of the Philippine Golf Tour, spearheading a tough international cast in the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge unfolding Wednesday at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia, Negros Occidental.
The Dutchman banked on a superb 36-hole start at Club Filipino de Cebu in Danao City last week to complete a wire-to-wire triumph in the ICTSI CFdC Invitational to end a 14-month quest for a second victory.
“This victory indeed bolstered my morale and confidence. Hopefully, I can do it again in Bacolod,” said the 39-year-old Manila-based shotmaker who will be facing practically the same field he bested in Danao this week.
That includes Aussie David Gleeson, whose final 36-hole rally fell short, finishing tied for second with Michael Bibat, while the likes of veterans Elmer Salvador and Jay Bayron are likewise out to improve on their fourth and fifth-place finishes, respectively, at the short but challenging par-70 layout.
Justin Quiban, who strung up three solid rounds before cruising to a five-stroke romp over Bayron here last year, likewise looms as the player to watch in the 72-hole championship serving as the second of the four-stage Visayan swing of the circuit put up by ICTSI.
So do Albin Engino, Jhonnel Ababa and Rufino Bayron, who are also raring to atone for their final round meltdowns in Cebu along with Richard Abaring, Joenard Rates, Mars Pucay, Elmer Saban and Richard Sinfuego.
Meanwhile, legend Frankie Miñoza makes his return to the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. as one of the invitees, along with Mateo Gomez and Sebastian Lopez of Colombia, Englishman George Twyman and Aussie Jack Sullivan and Gleeson.
