BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The crisp mountain air, the cheers of golf enthusiasts, and the unmistakable sound of a well-struck tee-off marked the start of the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational.
As one of the country’s long-running amateur golf tournaments, it has once again transformed Baguio into the ultimate playground for 1,400 golfers from 260 teams across the Asia-Pacific region.
The event runs until December 14 at Camp John Hay (CJH) and Baguio Country Club (BCC).
Leading the ceremonial tee-off were dignitaries Theody Pascual of Januarius Holdings, Fil-Am Golf Foundation Board of Trustee Ely Lagman, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
They were joined by Aubrey Carlson, husband of US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Jose Roman Ozaeta of the Fil-Am Board of Trustees, and tournament co-chair Jude Eustaquio, general manager of Camp John Hay Golf Club.
A tournament steeped in tradition
Celebrating over seven decades of history, the Januarius Fil-Am Invitational continues to highlight Baguio’s vibrant golfing culture.
Fil-Am co-chairs Jude Eustaquio and Anthony de Leon, general manager of BCC, outlined this year’s enhancements, including upgraded course layouts at CJH and BCC.
The tournament also remains committed to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, supporting junior golf competitions and organizations such as the Autism Hearts Foundation and Give Me A Book Foundation.
Competition schedule
The seniors division runs from November 26 to December 4, followed by the regular division from December 5 to 14.
Practice rounds began earlier this week, with strict regulations to ensure fairness and exclusivity for registered participants.
Southwoods eyes 10th straight title
Defending champions Southwoods, boasting a formidable lineup including Shin Suzuki and Miko Granada, will aim for their 10th consecutive title.
Challengers such as the Januarius-backed teams and Eastridge are poised to shake up the leaderboard, setting the stage for a thrilling competition.
Rewards and prestige
Aside from the championship title, participants will vie for exciting prizes, including two Toyota race cars for hole-in-one shots at both courses and additional vehicles to be raffled during the awards ceremonies.
With 110 teams already on the waiting list for next year’s 75th edition, the Fil-Am Invitational’s enduring popularity cements its place as one of Baguio’s most iconic events.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes are on whether a team can dethrone Southwoods and write a new chapter in the history of this prestigious competition. – Rappler.com