Golf: Minoza aims to help Yolanda victims

Carmona — Accomplished golfer Frankie Minoza constantly gives back to the sport he loves through his foundation.  This week, he is setting his sights to another worthy endeavor, which is to help in his small way those devastated by super typhoon Yolanda.
                  
Minoza is headlining the local charge in the maiden $750,000 Resorts World Manila Masters at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, with the hope of winning on home soil so that he can donate some of the champion’s prize to those in need in Leyte.
                  
“It will be nice if I can win here at Southwoods so that I can make some money and help the typhoon victims,” Minoza said.
                  
The 53-year-old believes that the Filipinos’ faith and strength, despite the adversity, will prevail in the end.
                  
“Filipinos have very strong hearts.  We are used to typhoons but not as strong as Yolanda.  We will get over this temporary setback as we are survivors and we help each other out,” he said.
                  
Asian Tour winner Artemio Murakami meanwhile will be banking on the familiarity of playing on his home course to steer him towards another victory.

His sole victory on the region’s premier Tour came in Malaysia in 2007 and while a win will provide his career with a much-needed boost, the 30-year-old is looking towards a much bigger cause.

“Hopefully one of us can win this week’s event as I know it’ll bring lots of cheers,” said Murakami.

“We are very thankful to Resorts World Manila for making this event happen as it’s nice to have such a big event like this in your own country. It give locals a chance to play against the best from the Asian Tour too,” added Murakami.

Organizers of the Resorts World Manila Masters will be announcing details of their donation drive to raise funds and support relief efforts shortly.

Meanwhile, Southwoods’ Masters course, venue of the event, was spared from the wrath of Yolanda and remained in championship condition.

“Players will enjoy the Nicklaus layout.  It’s good to go,” said club general manager Mark Watson.

The Resorts World Manila Masters will feature the likes of two-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra of Sweden, China’s Liang Wen-chong, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, who have both enjoyed wins in the Philippines.

Aside from Minoza, other contenders are three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que, Elmer Salvador, Tony Lascuna, Miguel Tabuena and Cassius Casas. - AMD, GMA News