The world’s largest and longest-running amateur golf tournament is set to return for another historic staging as organizers formally renewed their partnership for the upcoming 76th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational.
Title sponsor Januarius Holdings Inc, renew their partnership alongside host venues Baguio Country Club (BCC) and Camp John Hay Golf Club (CJHGC), sets the stage for the premier two-week competition running from Nov. 24 to Dec. 12 on Baguio’s iconic highland fairways.
And in a bid to improve pace of play for both courses and following feedback from last year’s 75th-anniversary event, organizers are transitioning from a 4-to-play, 4-to-count system back to a 4-to-play, 3-to-count Stableford scoring format.
“Last year’s four-to-count format made it extremely challenging for teams, especially with the fourth player under pressure to produce a score,” said Anthony de Leon, Fil-Am co-chairman and BCC general manager. “By moving to a three-to-count system, we expect to speed up play and deliver a better quality match for everyone so players aren’t finishing after sunset.”
Tournament officials noted that while course conditions remain demanding, the format change will ease bottlenecking for the field of over 1,400 expected international and local golfers.
Both host venues enter the tournament following extensive physical and agronomic upgrades.
BCC completed a multi-year renovation of its 18-hole layout, featuring newly resurfaced greens. Meanwhile, CJHGC has focused on turf rehabilitation to ensure championship-grade speed and consistency.
Addressing concerns over weather unpredictability and extended dry spells, club executives emphasized their long-term environmental sustainability measures.
De Leon added that BCC has instituted strict water management protocols, leveraging high-capacity storage wells to maintain optimal course conditions through December.
“Camp John Hay is arguably the most sustainable golf course in the country because we utilize nearly 100 percent of our sewage treatment plant (STP) recycled water discharge for irrigation,” said Camp John Hay and Golf Club Management Corp.’s Eduardo Arguelles. “As long as nearby facilities are occupied, our water supply for the fairways and greens remains steady regardless of dry weather trends.”
Januarius Holdings Inc. Chairman and CEO JJ Atencio meanwhile highlighted the tournament’s unique legacy of bridging generations of golfers, noting its growth as a platform for both veteran players and rising junior talents.
“This tournament holds a Guinness World Record, but more importantly, it brings together the old and new golfers of our country to propagate the sport,” Atencio said. “There is no discrimination against social status or age here. We saw young squads win top honors last year, and that inclusive nature is what we want to preserve.”
Atencio confirmed that Januarius Golf will field five teams in the upcoming tournament, including four regular division squads and one senior division team.
The 76th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational will kick off with the Seniors Division in late November, followed by the Regulars Division through mid-December. Roderick Osis
