THE INAUGURAL LIPA CITY FIESTA BARAKO GOLF, a new team tournament coinciding with the fiesta of the city, was officially launched Saturday through a media conference held at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club. The two-day tournament on Jan. 17-18 promises to be as exciting as the other team championships in the Philippines. Shown in the photo are City Mayor Eric Africa (middle) with tournament chairman Raul Montealto, Summit Point President Robbie Leviste, Lian Vice Mayor Ronin Leviste, Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club General Manager Romeo Garcia, Summit Point General Manager Vic de Guzman and head rules official Bong Igaya.

KAPENG barako, Batangas lomi and goto, bulalo, tawilis and now a golf tournament.

A new staple is on the horizon in Batangas with Lipa City launching its inaugural Lipa City Fiesta Barako Golf Tournament in a bid to stamp its class as one of the country’s top golf destinations.

Coinciding with the city’s fiesta, Lipa will hold a two-day tilt on Jan. 17 to 18 at the Summit Point and Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Clubs to cap its week-long celebration that started with the press conference over the weekend.

The first-ever golf joust in Lipa has already lured over 70 teams of four players each nationwide, including female players and teams that will not have a separate division for the first time in any tournament here.

Waiting for them are two majestic courses in Lipa City that will serve as hosts with the scenic Mount Malarayat serving as backdrops as the best amateur golfers swing their stuff into the undulating fairways.

For Lipa, it’s a golden opportunity to promote sports and tourism all in one.

Barako Golf will showcase some of the country’s top golfers led by Abe Rosal and Abe Avena along with the best clubs featuring Team Wack Wack and Riviera among the few. Clubs from Butuan, Tacloban and Eastern Samar are also in.

Summit Point — which finished second to Manila Southwoods in Fil-Am Invitationals and boasts holes inspired by the renowned courses of St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Augusta National and Cypress Point — and Mt. Malarayat vowed to give the visitors a run for their own money. — John Bryan Ulanday

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