Basically we want to foster camaraderie among members of private clubs.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF Arsenic Laurel Team Highlands and Team Riviera, in dark and light shirts respectively, collide during the elimination round of the 2023 Federation League. Host Highlands won, 3 ½ -1 ½.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF perfect driveph<br />THE 2023 Federation League officials include Arsenic Laurel, Pablo Soon, Gino Bunyi, Rhoneil Cousart, Erwin Vinluan, Francis Montallana, rules official Henry Arabelo, Jong Lapit, Erik Escalona and Raymond Co.
More than the competition, it's the chance to showcase everything that's good about their respective clubs.
That's what the Federation League, a home-and-away inter-club competition, is trying to accomplish as it relaunched the tournament recently.
"Basically we want to foster camaraderie among members of private clubs," said Arsenic Laurel, Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines Inc., treasurer and spokesperson.
The league took a hiatus for two years due to the pandemic, but this year features eight clubs — Valley, Tagaytay Midlands, Alabang, Orchard, Eastridge, Riviera, Sta. Elena and Wack Wack.
There was a time when 16 clubs were seeing action in the league, including founding member-clubs Baguio Country Club, Manila Southwoods, Malarayat and Canlubang.
Clubs get to field 30 of their best players in match play competitions. Everyone must play at least once with spots afforded to two seniors and two juniors in the team.
"The best thing here I guess is you get to compare with each other in a cordial way," added Laurel. "And see how you can improve and take care of your own club better."
It's like how Sta. Elena got the reputation of "best in accommodation'' among the club players. "Club directors get to elevate the presentation of their clubs," he said.
There's also an unwritten rule of free green fee, cart and lunch provided by the host club.
"There is no cash prize at the end of the day, only trophies and a dinner," he added.
Of course, it includes "kantyawan" (banter) and bragging rights.
"Sometimes, yung kantyawan umaabot sa next club tournament,' Laurel said.
Now 65 years old, Laurel said that through the Federation League, he got to play against young guns like Rupert Zaragoza and Miguel Tabuena.
"I get to play with these guys that I otherwise won't see," Laurel said. "It's about the fellowship. And you look forward to playing every year."
