The country’s top shotmakers vow to mount a fightback against the region’s leading campaigners as the Asian Development Tour makes a welcome return to the Philippines for another two-week swing, starting with the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship ADT on April 13-16 at the Legends course in Carmona, Cavite.

The foreign bets swept the two ADT events last year with Malaysian Arie Irawan beating Miguel Tabuena by four and Tony Lascuña by five for the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational crown and Thai Ittipat Buranatanyarat edging Orlan Sumcad by one and Frankie Miñoza by three.

But Tabuena, Lascuña, Sumcad and Miñoza are all primed up for the upcoming event, eager to get back at the ADT regulars and upcoming stars in the $60,000 event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

The Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite will host the next ADT stop on April 20-23.

“We are glad to welcome the ADT back to the Philippines. We hope the staging of these events will continue to provide opportunities for players in the region to showcase their talents and advance their careers onto the Asian Tour,” siad ICTSI chairman and president Ricky Razon.

The twin events also stakes world ranking points where players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning Official World Golf Ranking points through the Asian Tour and ADT. Tabuena is currently at No. 36 while Angelo Que, who will be campaigning in the Japan PGA Tour, is at No. 49.
The 60 players will get spots in the Rio Games.

Irfan Hamid, the Asian Tour’s associate director, hailed the strong commitment and support from ICTSI. “We are very thankful for the unwavering support from ICTSI, who has always play a major role in growing professional golf in the Philippines and across the region.”

“The ADT has grown since its inauguration in 2010 and we have been successful in providing a clear pathway for upcoming players to gain access onto the Asian Tour,” he added.

A total of 144 players will compete in each event in the Philippines with the field split between the ADT and the Philippine Golf Tour, which is also backed by the ICTSI. Other local players seeing action are Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Clyde Mondilla, Cassius Casas, Jhonnel Ababa, Zanieboy Gialon, Charles Hong, Rufino Bayron, Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan, Michael Bibat and Anthony Fernando.

The ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship and the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic will be the 10th and 11th leg of the 2016 ADT season, respectively.

For details, visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com and pgt.ph.