Home Star Salvador Aims for Repeat Win at Aboitiz Invitational

Cebu, Philippines, July 15: Elmer Salvador of the Philippines will defend his title at the Aboitiz Invitational, which makes a return on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Schedule for the third consecutive season later this month.

The 43-year-old Salvador dominated the event last year by defeating countryman Antonio Lascuna by six shots. He will aim for a repeat win when he returns to the Cebu Country Club from July 24 to July 27.

Reigning ADT Order of Merit winner Jay Bayron of the Philippines, talented local teenager Miguel Tabuena, Artemio Murakami, a former Asian Tour winner and ADT regular Carl Santos Ocampo, will also feature at the US$65,000 event.

James Bowen of the United States, Grant Jackson of England, highly rated. James Byrne of Scotland and Mitsuhiko Hashizume of Japan, currently ranked second, third, fourth and fifth on the Order of Merit respectively, will spearhead the international challenge.

Salvador came close to winning his first Asian Tour title in 2011 and 2012 but lost on both occasions in a play-off. He made amends when he claimed a popular home victory at the Aboitiz Invitational and hopes to write a small slice of history by becoming the first player to defend his title on the ADT, which is the feeder circuit for the premier Asian Tour.

“It felt good when I shot even-par and won last year. I remember my driving was horrible and I hooked a lot of tee shots. Luckily, my putting and short game guided me to victory,” said Salvador.

“I’ve come close to winning on the Asian Tour and the victory at the Aboitiz Invitational gave me renewed confidence to try harder,” he added.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han expressed his fullest appreciation to Aboitiz for supporting the development of professional golf via its title sponsorship on the ADT.

“The ADT has grown immensely over the past few years and it is largely due to the support that we receive from great sponsors like Aboitiz. We are thankful that Aboitiz is a strong advocate of the development golf,” said Han.

For four years now, the Aboitiz Group, which has major investments in power, banking, food, and land, has been organizing the Invitational Pro-Am as part of the ADT.

“Consistent with our corporate value of teamwork, this collaboration has rewarded us with stronger bonds and equally unique camaraderie among business partners, colleagues, and stakeholders,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures President and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz.

Enrique K. Razon Jr, the Chairman and CEO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. said, “ICTSI, together with the Philippine Golf Tour, is delighted with its partnership with the Asian Tour, ADT and Aboitiz Equity Ventures for the past three years. Together, we have been making strides in putting the Philippines back in the global golfing map.”

The ADT was launched in 2010 with five tournaments before growing to eight in 2011 and 13 last year. It has proven to be a successful circuit for upcoming players to gain entry into the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013.

So far, a total of 12 tournaments have been confirmed this season on the ADT, with several others to be announced in due course.

Created along the lines of the European Challenge Tour and Web.com Tour in the United States, the ADT will reward the top-three players on the final Order of Merit with Asian Tour cards for the following year.

All ADT events also receive Official World Golf Ranking points, which will be used to determine the field for the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne in November and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. #

About the Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading three players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

About Aboitiz Equity Ventures
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) is the publicly listed holding company of the Aboitiz Group with major investments in power, banking, food, and land. The company has been consistently recognized in international surveys as among the Philippines’ best managed companies and has also been cited for its commitment to good corporate governance.

About International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has been supporting Philippine golf since 2005 when the Philippine government tapped ICTSI as one of its private sector partners in the hosting of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) where ICTSI sponsored and co-organized the golf event of the Games. After the Philippine SEAG, ICTSI continued supporting the country’s top amateur players through an amateur golf program, and a junior golf program together with the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.