London caLLing at the 2013 Mabuhay MiLes eLite invitationaL
The Mabuhay Miles Elite Invitational— the annual golf tournament for the cream of Mabuhay Miles’ membership—marks its 21st year this month with a slew of innovations aimed at cementing its status as the mustplay fun competition in the corporate golf scene. For starters, the tournament will literally break new ground when it is played at a mountaintop course for the first time. A new division for players 60 years old and up, Seniors, will also be introduced. And equally important, the event will serve as a curtain-raiser for Philippine Airlines’ newest destination: London. It all happens on November 12 when nearly 300 Mabuhay Miles members belonging to the Elite, Premier Elite, and Million Miler tiers gather at perhaps the two most scenic golf courses in the country—Tagaytay Highlands and Tagaytay Midlands in Cavite. Set 2,000 and 1,000 feet, respectively, above Taal Lake, both 18-hole championship courses weave around the contours of the rugged Tagaytay ridge, offering spectacular views of the lake and its iconic volcano at every turn. Linking the two layouts is the country’s only Swiss funicular system. At the Highlands course, Swiss-engineered cable cars also ferry golfers around. The European flavor dovetails handily with the tournament’s theme, centered on London, which debuts on November 4, just 80 I Mabuhay Magazine I November 2013
eight days before the Invitational, as the flag carrier’s first point in Europe. As in previous years, the list of players comprises a virtual who’s who of the business community: company presidents and CEOs, senior executives, top professionals, and power brokers. They will be grouped into four classes, A to D, based on handicap, plus the Ladies and the new Seniors divisions. The System 36 handicapping format will govern the tournament. Shotgun tee-off is at 7:30 a.m. Of course, at the end of a long day on the fairways, there’s always the array of fabulous prizes to look forward to. These include trophies; golf accessories; travel amenities; premium gift items; stays at top hotels, resorts, and spas; and round-trip tickets to choice PAL destinations. However, the most coveted prize will need a great deal of skill—plus loads of luck—to claim: a top-of-the-line luxury vehicle from Toyota Motor Philippines and two PAL Mabuhay Class tickets to Los Angeles for the player who scores a hole-in-one shot. This being a Mabuhay Miles golf event where fun and camaraderie are as much a part of the game as the low scores, even the tail-enders get to win something. Yes, there are also consolation rewards for such dubious feats as most number of bogeys and nearest to the pin! And then, there’s the entertainment, food,
and drinks. If there’s any group that knows how to throw a party, it’s the Mabuhay Miles team. Top-notch performers, alluring entertainers, and overflowing fare await all participants. The 2013 Mabuhay Miles Elite Invitational is presented by major sponsors Metrobank Card Corporation and Petron Corporation. Minor sponsors are BDO Unibank, Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines Inc., Tanduay Distillers, Union Bankand Victorinox Travel Gear / World Traveller. Donors include Boracay Garden Resort, Clark Shoes UK, EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, Makati Shangri-la Hotel and Pan Pacific Manila. Century Park Hotel and Diamond Hotel Philippines are the tournament’s official hotels. n