Aunzo, partner lead field in Saving Laguna Lake golf tourney

Newly-crowned ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour champion Ferdie Aunzo will bid for a second title in two weeks as he spearheads the inaugural Saving Laguna Lake Pro-Am Invitational starting Friday at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal. Aunzo, coming very fresh and determined from his maiden victory in the ICTSI-Royal Northwoods Classic, will team up with amateur partner Erwin Temena, the Eastridge general manager, in the event that serves as a fund-raiser for the protection of Laguna Lake following the devastation caused by tropical storm “Ondoy."

The Laguna de Bay Conservation Society is leading the way in the project that aims to raise additional funds and awareness. Generous sponsors have already signified their intention to join the cause with 11 of the top 20 players in the local rankings confirmed to participate. “Now more than ever, a tourney like this will impart the message of reforestation and the overall protection of Laguna Lake which was also unmasked by Ondoy," said Ed Manda, general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and chairman of the organizing committee. A P100,000 paycheck out of the P575,000 total pot will be awarded to the winner of the individual competition. The runner-up will get P70,000 and the third placer P55,000. A separate sum of P380,000 is allotted for the pro-am battle which will have an aggregate format with the top four pairs assured of cash and merchandise prizes. The winning pro in the pro-am gets P40,000 while his amateur partner receives merchandise of the same amount. Among the teams to watch are Cassius Casas and national player Tonton Asistio, Cookie La’O and John Papa, Arnold Villacencio and RP team member Rufino Bayron and Jun Bernis and Joey Huerva. Teams will be grouped according to the following divisions: Open class for an amateur with a handicap index of 9.9 and below and his pro partner; Class A for an amateur with an index of 10-18 and his pro partner; and Class B for an amateur with an index of 18.1 and above and his pro partner. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV