EIGHT DAYS OF MAGIC: Triumphs, drama mark successful 37th Mango Tee staging

For 37 years, the Mango Tee Invitational at the Alabang Country Club has stood as a pillar of Philippine amateur golf.

But this year, the tournament didn’t just mark another chapter — it rewrote history.

Not only did it showcase thrilling competition and unshakable camaraderie, but for the first time, the tournament stretched to eight days, elevating it to unprecedented heights and making it bigger, bolder and more unforgettable than ever before.

Like the timeless beat of The Beatles’ “Eight Days a Week,” the 37th Mango Tee Invitational pulsated with non-stop excitement, a rhythm that captured the boundless passion of the golfers. With the added days, the tournament became an unrelenting celebration of the sport, drawing in a record-breaking number of participants, and delivering jaw-dropping performances and moments that will echo in golf history.

Traditionally a four-day event, this year’s extension allowed more players to experience what it truly means to compete in the country’s most coveted golf event.

Nearly 1,000 players descended upon the fairways, but it wasn’t just the numbers that made it historic. It was the magic that happened when three players pulled off jaw-dropping hole-in-ones.

The first to strike was Fernando Tizon, who stunned the crowd when he aced the eighth hole with a driver on Monday.

“A grace from heaven,” he humbly called it. His euphoric moment earned him a treasure trove of prizes, including a P100,000 Casino Filipino free bet certificate, an Asia Traders Corp. Honma Iron worth P103,600, 3 Strokes merchandise valued at P100,000, and Funky Monkey gift certificates worth P50,000.

But the drama didn’t stop there. Two days later, the sixth hole became the stage for another stunning display of skill, as Leonides “Boyet” Canlas and professional Laurea Duque both made aces. But only Canlas was to leave the hole victorious, driving away with a brand-new BYD car and a Gransportivo golf cart.

As fate would have it, Duque, though ineligible for the hole-in-one prize, received the P50,000 club reward. Mango Tee, known for its larger-than-life prizes, reached new heights this year. Seven vehicles were offered as hole-in-one prizes.

A Lexus and a P1-million Rolex watch were among the great things raffled off. There were also rare prizes like a Champs Burger franchise worth P750,000, a Jewelmer Strand Necklace and Stud Earrings valued at P600,000, an Ogawa massage chair (P600,000), a Gransportivo Series 2-Seater-Lithium Battery (P450,000) and an Emirates business-class roundtrip ticket to Dubai (P175,000).

The stakes had never been higher.

Amid the dazzling prizes and a gentle evening drizzle, Robert Limcaco, the mastermind behind the success of the event, was honored by the ACC board of directors with a plaque of appreciation.

His words, however, revealed the true heart of the Mango Tee Invitational.

“This is what Mango Tee is all about — great golf, great company and great competition,” Limcaco said.

“Extending the tournament to eight days allowed us to accommodate more players and make the experience even more memorable.”

And it was truly memorable.

The night stretched long into the early hours, as the award ceremonies unfolded like a grand symphony, with prizes handed out in rapid succession, echoing the beat of the rain that fell relentlessly.

The night came alive with the sultry sounds of Geneva Cruz and the Jewelmer band, the air thick with excitement and anticipation as food and drinks flowed freely.

But it was the fellowship that truly shone. The Mango Tee Invitational has long been as much about camaraderie as it is about competition. The club’s legendary hospitality wrapped itself around each player and guest, culminating in an awards ceremony that felt like the grand finale of a story years in the making.

If the breathtaking success of this year’s tournament is any indication, the Mango Tee Invitational has cemented its place as one of the premier events in Philippine golf — and its future burns brighter than ever.

The eight-day format has set a new standard, proving that in the world of golf, “Eight Days a Week” might just be the perfect rhythm.

With another historic chapter now written, all eyes are on what the 38th Mango Tee Invitational will bring.

One thing is certain — this legendary tournament is just getting started, and the best is yet to come.