Philippines Golf Academy

The Philippine Golf Tour visits the historic Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo this week to challenge the oldest golf course in the country. The course might be short but it’s got teeth. Unlike the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, IGCC’s greens are extremely undulated and planted with a similar grass with lots of grain, which should complicate the lives of all the pros that are competing over the next three days.

Beyond that, the lack of precipitation has left them hard and unreceptive to the high approach shots to which our professionals are accustomed. This leaves them with little choice but to either miss the green on purpose, something that goes against their natural instincts. It will be interesting to see how they deal with this quirk.

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Most of the professionals at the top of the Philippine Golf Tour’s order of merit are at the Selangor Masters in Malaysia this week. This should present the opportunity to shine to some of the Tour’s up and comers and distinguished veterans. Jay Bayron is the prohibitive favorite this week, fresh from his forays on the One Asia Tour. “Marvelous” Marvin Dumandan is also in attendance but it remains to be seen if he’s gained a measure of control over his sometimes temperamental driver.

You can never discount the locals on a course like Sta. Barbara and Richard Sinfuego is the highest ranked of the Iloilo natives. Robert Pactolerin is on a roll and fresh from his victory in Marapara. He shot a really low score in a practice round earlier this week so he can’t be discounted.

Of the young guns, Carl Santos Ocampo has been the most consistent and has special motivation this week with his father Carlo in attendance. Can he break through this week? It’s hard to say, but it’ll certainly be fun finding out.

Read the whole story on:http://pinoygolfer.com

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