by Musong R. Castillo

The National Golf Team might as well don a few spy glasses and hire men to do a little reconnaissance on the side while the 2007 Putra Cup is being played.

After all, the opposition that the Philippine golf team will face in the coming Southeast Asian Games will be showing up in this prestigious meet, making the tournament a virtual preview of the biennial event.

Singapore prepares its defense of the crown while the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia are expected to crowd it for top honors when the event also known as the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team championship kicks off Tuesday at The Country Club in Laguna.

Left without the reigning national amateur champion, the RP squad has hoisted its hopes on the shoulders of ex-national titlist Jay Bayron, Ferdie Aunzo, Jhonnel Ababa and Mark Fernando.

The tournament itself has fetched an important battlecry: Ending a 10-year title drought in the annual shot-making contest.

But no one is overlooking the fact that with the SEA Games just around the corner, getting a feel of the players who the Filipinos will battle it out against for the gold is right up there in the list of priorities.

As to the first goal, the locals are hoping that familiarity with the danger-fraught par-70 layout will help them bag the trophy.

“It’s a plus that we are playing on our home course,” said national team mentor Bong Lopez. “But The Country Club is one tough layout that changes in character, especially with the wind, thus.”

“We have to do well here because this will also determine the progress of the team with regard to its form heading to the SEA Games next month,” said Lopez.

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