Thrilling fairway action takes centerstage as the 3rd Barako Cup tees off at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club and Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City.

A huge field featuring 60-four man squads had already registered, guaranteeing two days of slam-bang action in the event that celebrates the Batangueño resilience while focusing the spotlight on the local coffee industry that has long defined the region’s identity.

Bannering the field is two-time Federation League champion Mount Malarayat, which is looking to dethrone Championship Division powerhouse Time Cargo Logistics.

A two-day practice round is set on Monday and Tuesday before the tournament proper on Wednesday and Thursday. Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa is expected to lead the ceremonial tee off on Tuesday to signal the start of hostilities of the tourney that is in line with Lipa City’s annual fiesta celebration.

“This proves that the Barako Cup is getting more attention like other team championships in the country,” tournament co-founder Vic de Guzman, also the general manager of Summit Point, said in the event that drew the participation of some abroad-based golfers and those who are mostly playing in the southern part of Metro Manila like Batangas, Cavite and Laguna.

“Our thrust is to make the Barako Cup, the go-to team championship in the South. So far, we are on the right track,” Barako Cup co-founder Engr. Raul Montealto added prior to the tournament that has Summit Point, Mount Malarayat, Malarayat Pelican Golfers, J-10, Empire Golf, Creative Travel and Tours, Envirocool and The Club Face as major sponsors.