Two world-class golf courses, cool weather and proximity to Metro Manila are just a few reasons Lipa City, Batangas, is an ideal tourist destination.

Now the city is hoping to add one more distinction: The inaugural Lipa City Fiesta Barako Golf which blasts off 15 to 18 January.

"This is the first time we will stage this Barako Golf which we hope to hold every year from here on," said organizing committee chairman, Engr. Raul Montealto.

"We patterned it to the Fil-Am Invitational and the Inter-club. We have the Summit Point and the Malarayat. We might as well use these world-class golf courses.

"Our climate is comparable to Baguio and we have two challenging courses. Wind is strong here nowadays. The participants will enjoy it for sure."

There are at least 80 teams which have confirmed participation, according to Montealto, but they are pegging it to a maximum of 100 teams.

Teams will have four members playing, three to count, and will be categorized based on their handicaps.

The first two days will be allotted to practice sessions with the actual competition firing off 17 January simultaneously on both golf courses. Players switch courses on the second day.

Because it coincides with the fiesta celebration, there will be nightly entertainment, according to Montealto.

But for the succeeding years, Montealto said they will hold the Barako Golf right after Fil-Am which is staged late in the year in Baguio City.

"We want that so tourists who played there get a chance to play in Barako Golf while still on vacation," Montealto added.

Barako Golf will accommodate female players, something that is not allowed either at the Interclub or Fil-Am.

"Female players are welcome to join," says Summit Point general manager Vic de Guzman. "Of course, we will take in consideration their handicaps and adjust them to level the playing field."