BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — More than 1,400 amateur golfers begin their chase for podium finishes as the first week of the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament unwraps tomorrow, November 28, at the Baguio Country Club (BCC) and Camp John Hay (CJH) golf courses.

Backed by Mazda and Toyota, the two-division tournament will gather players from across the country and the Pacific Rim as they battle for top honors in the Seniors Division and the upper flights of the Regular Division.

BCC general manager and Fil-Am co-chair Anthony de Leon said this year’s staging is extra special as the country’s longest-running and biggest amateur golf tournament celebrates its diamond year. The event traces its roots to 1949, when it was founded by movie icon and senator Rogelio dela Rosa together with then–CJH commander Maj. Archie Black.

The Seniors Division and lower flights open competition on November 28, with the six-day tournament wrapping up on December 3. The awards ceremony will follow at the CJH CAP Convention Center. A total of 132 teams are entered in the seniors bracket.

Practice rounds for the seniors ran from Tuesday until yesterday.

The Regular Division gets under way on December 5 after a one-day break, beginning with a ceremonial tee-off in the late afternoon. Another 132 groups are expected to see action.

Practice sessions for the regular flights run until December 7, followed by tournament play from December 8 to 13. Winners will be recognized at the BCC Cordillera Convention Center.

This year’s Fil-Am will utilize the Stroke Play, 4-to-play, 4-to-count format with the Stableford scoring system. Up for grabs as hole-in-one prizes are a Mazda CX-30 HEV and two Toyota Raize vehicles.

Adding excitement to the event, organizers announced that two brand-new Mazda Miata MX-5s will be raffled off, along with iPhones, premium gadgets, and two Vespa S125 motorcycles.
—Fil-Am Media Release