Manila: Two major golf courses in this city have strengthened their water conservation measures, including recycling systems, to maintain playing conditions ahead of the 76th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament despite possible effects of El Ni±o. Anthony de Leon, general manager of Baguio Country Club (BCC) and co-chair of the tournament, said Friday that the club has prepared contingency measures to ensure sufficient water supply for the golf course.
According to Philippines News Agency, BCC has long maintained a rainwater collection system that channels water into three large lagoons. The stored water is used to irrigate the 18-hole golf course and help maintain the condition of its greens. De Leon said the club has implemented additional measures during the dry season and is confident that the course will remain properly irrigated and maintained for the tournament scheduled from Nov. 24 to Dec. 12. The Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament, now on its 76th year, is expected to draw about 1,400 teams from different parts of the Philippines, as well as overseas participants, particularly from the United States and the Asia-Pacific region.
Eduardo Arguelles, president of Golf Club Management Corp., which operates the Camp John Hay Golf Course, said their facility has also adopted a sustainable water management system. 'We are lucky, John Hay is the most sustainable golf course in the Philippines, because we are the only golf course that utilized the STP (sewerage treatment plant) discharge by 100 percent,' Arguelles said. He said treated water from the sewerage treatment plant is used to irrigate the golf course. 'Even with the El Ni±o, as long as the hotels are occupied, there will be water discharge from the STP,' he said. Arguelles added that since Golf Club Management Corp. took over operations at Camp John Hay more than a year and a half ago, the supply from the treatment plant has remained continuous.
BCC and Camp John Hay Golf Course will jointly host the 76th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament. Organizers said preparations are underway following the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Camp John Hay Golf and BCC last July 10 and a separate agreement with title sponsor Januarius Holdings Inc. on Friday at Camp John Hay. Januarius Holdings Inc. chairperson and CEO JJ Atencio III said the company wanted to be part of the country's longest-running and largest golf tournament. 'We hope to be with the event for several more years,' Atencio said.
