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Star-studded Apo golfest on Wednesday

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The driving range of the Apo Golf and Country was buzzing with activity a few minutes before the start of the pro-am event Tuesday.

On one end was Frankie Minoza hitting his three-wood. On the opposite side was Artemio Murakami crushing his driver. In between them were Angelo Que and teen prodigy Miguel Tabuena.

The ICTSI Apo Golf Classic, which gets going Wednesday, has attracted a star-studded field usually seen only at the Philippine Open or The Country Club Invitational.

Save for Jay Bayron, who is playing at the OneAsia Tour, the country’s top professionals are here, including defending champion Juvic Pagunsan who is eyeing a third consecutive victory.

Que, who skipped the last four legs of the tour, planed in Monday and made only one birdie during the pro-am Tuesday.

The tree-lined golf course carved on the foothills of the country’s highest peak remains a tough customer. Its unique layout demands surgical precision and local knowledge.

The long-hitters will find Apo a tough challenge off the tee and may have to leave their drivers in the bag.

Cassius Casas, one of the biggest names to come out of Apo, said the driver can be used only in four or five holes, not unless if you’re a short hitter.

“Mahirap magkamali sa course na ito,” said Casas, who ironically has not won here. “Palagay ko, six-under puwede na manalo.”

Antonio Lascuna, one of the league’s most accurate hitters, spearheads a slew of homegrown talents out to stop Pagunsan.

These include ICTSI Iloilo champion Jhonnel Ababa, Marvin Dumandan and Elmer Salvador, No. 3 in the money list.

Salvador, however, is coming off a bout with dengue and is unsure of his chances. He was bedridden for a week and played his first full 18-hole round only Tuesday.

Pagunsan, a three-time winner this year, remains the odds-on favorite, despite his uncharacteristic meltdown in his last outing in Bacolod.

The mercurial but temperamental pro fired his caddie in the middle of the second round and unraveled in the backnine of the final round, allowing old hand Robert Pactolerin to win in Bacolod.

Pagunsan is paired with fellow Asian Tour regular Mars Pucay and amateur Art Arbole in one of the early flights.

Que will tee off in the backnine at 7:40 a.m. in the company of Carito Villaroman and amateur Brent Sumampong.

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