75TH FIL-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT OPENS WITH CEREMONIAL TEE-OFF> The 75th Januarius Fil-Am Golf Tournament officially teed off on Thursday, November 27, as Baguio City Representative Mauricio Domogan, Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and Januarius Holdings Inc. CEO JJ Atencio each fired ceremonial tee shots at the Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club courses. Their opening drives marked the beginning of the country’s premier amateur golf event, drawing local and international players to the cool mountain fairways. Photo by Primo Agatep
BAGUIO CITY — More than 1,400 golfers from across the Philippines, the Asia-Pacific region, and the United States are set to test their skill, endurance, and mental fortitude as the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Golf Invitational Tournament tees off on Friday, November 28. Long regarded as the crown jewel of amateur golf in Asia, the tournament once again transforms Baguio’s mountain courses into a battleground of precision and strategy.
Players will brave the city’s signature cold mornings and warm midday sun as they take on two contrasting fairways: the short but deceptive par-61 Baguio Country Club (BCC) course and the longer, more punishing par-69 Camp John Hay (CJH) layout. Both offer their own challenges, from narrow doglegs to rolling elevations—all set against a backdrop of pine forests and crisp mountain air.
The opening week, from November 28 to December 3, features the Seniors Division and Regular F flights. The rest of the Regular Division—Championship, A to E flights—takes center stage from December 8 to 13.
Backed by title sponsor Januarius Holdings Inc., led by CEO JJ Atencio, this year’s event sticks to its traditional “four-to-play, four-to-count” format. Both divisions will battle through 72 holes using the Stableford scoring system: 6 points for a par-4 hole-in-one or albatross, 5 points for a par-3 ace, 4 for eagle, 3 for birdie, 2 for par, and 1 for bogey, with each team allowed a maximum of seven players.
Adding to the excitement, any golfer who scores a hole-in-one stands a chance to drive home major prizes—including a Mazda CX-30 HEV or a Toyota Raize.
Now on its 75th staging, the Fil-Am Golf Invitational remains the longest-running and largest amateur golf tournament in the Asia-Pacific region. What began in 1949 as a friendly match between Filipino golfers and American servicemen has evolved into a grand tradition—one that celebrates camaraderie, competition, and the enduring spirit of the sport.
This year’s tournament is co-chaired by Eduardo Arguelles of Camp John Hay and Anthony de Leon, general manager of Baguio Country Club, with Buddy Resurreccion serving as tournament director.
The ceremonial tee-off is scheduled today, November 27, at 4 p.m., with separate kick-off activities at the John Hay and BCC courses.
