Angelo Que’s golf journey could have ended around two decades ago had fate not intervened with a perfectly-timed victory.

In 2004, he was ready to walk away from the sport he loved — tired, uncertain, and unable to afford to keep playing. 

But one final swing changed everything for the 46-year-old golfer.

The 2004 Carlsberg Masters Vietnam turned into his first professional win — a breakthrough that revived his career and his belief in himself. 

“I think the most defining moment for me was my very first win in 2004. I was about to quit back then because I couldn’t afford it anymore,” Que recalled during the press conference of the International Series Philippines (ISP) presented by BingoPlus last week.

“On my last event, I won — that changed everything. Changed my life, changed my career and pointed me in the right direction. That’s why I kept on playing.”

It’s a full-circle moment for the 23-year Asian Tour veteran who continues to embrace the grind, still driven by the same passion that once saved him from quitting. That is why he swings with confidence in the ISP despite going up against stars like former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Sampson Zheng and Sarit Suwannarut. 

“I vowed to just keep trying whenever there’s an opportunity — just grab it and play,” Que said.

Keep on winning.

Since winning that fateful tournament in Vietnam in 2004, Que had cemented his status as among the most successful Filipino pro golfers.

He went on to win two more competitions in the Asian Tour, dominating the Philippine Open in 2008 and the Selangor Masters in Malaysia in 2010.

He also won 11 Philippine Golf Tour tourneys with his latest conquest being the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Championship last 23 May at the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Batangas while seeing action in the 2008 US Open and the 2009 Open Championships in the United Kingdom.

He said he likes to keep himself sharp by joining more tournaments than practicing his swings.

“What motivates me, I think, is just playing tournaments. I really love playing in tournaments,” said Que, adding that the competitive blood that runs through his veins keep him going.

“You can ask everybody — I don’t really practice so much. I play more tournament golf than social rounds or practice rounds.”

 But of all the tournaments Que competed in, nothing is bigger than his current stint in the ISP — a prestigious event that dangles $2 million prize purse and a chance to compete in the LIV Golf League together with the heavyweights of international golf — at the Sta. Elena Golf Course in Laguna.

Nothing more to prove.

Like most Filipino golfers competing in the ISP, Que has a homecourt edge.

But he admits that getting a hand in the tricky Sta. Elena layout is easier said than done.

“I think it’s a case of watching how they play the tougher courses. We’re used to playing shorter ones,” Que said. “This week is playing a bit longer than usual for us — even for myself. This is probably one of the longest I’ve played here.”

“During summer, it plays so much shorter; it’s almost like a chicken-putt course but now, with no run, fairways being soft, and greens being firm and really fast, it’s a true test of skill for everybody. I hope they can see that and learn from it.”

For Que, competition isn’t just about beating others, but it’s about inspiring the next generation to believe they belong on the same course, the same leaderboard, the same conversation as the world’s elite. 

“It’s just another event for them. To us, yes, it is somewhat like a major, but it’s still a tournament where, if you just play your normal game, you can compete against them,” Que said.

“I still enjoy competing against them. Unfortunately, with my age, I’m sort of limited with my stamina. But having said that, I just need to plan my tournaments. I don’t play too many straight events so I can still manage to compete with them.”

Que is no longer playing to prove something. He’s playing because golf still brings him joy — because every swing still feels like a blessing earned from that fateful triumph more than two decades ago. 

He will once more walk down the fairway with the same faith that saved his career — the belief that as long as there’s one more hole to play, there’s always another chance to win.