Golf takes center stage at PSA Awards

Golf was in the spotlight at the 2025 San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night, turning the Diamond Hotel in Manila into a celebration of the sport’s rich legacy and promising future.

The evening brought together legends, current stars and rising prodigies, all sharing one stage in a rare moment where the past, present and future of Philippine golf were celebrated together.

The biggest applause of the night went to Frankie Miñoza, the 65-year-old Mindanao native whose name is synonymous with Philippine golf.

Already a two-time PSA Athlete of the Year and a former Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, Miñoza was formally enshrined into the PSA Hall of Fame. His career, spanning decades and crossing continents, saw him rack up victories both locally and abroad, helping to put the Philippines on the regional golf map in the 1990s.

Sharing the stage with the legends were the stars of today, led by Miguel Tabuena, whose recent breakthrough at the International Series Philippines turned heads worldwide.

That win — a key stop on the Asian Tour — was more than a trophy; it was a statement that Philippine men’s professional golf remains competitive on the global stage. Tabuena’s PSA recognition highlighted his resilience, his consistency, and his ability to carry the nation’s hopes in the fiercely competitive world of professional golf, culminating in a full-time LIV Golf card that now positions him among the elite.

But the night wasn’t just about honoring the past or the present — it was about spotlighting the future.

The PSA shone its light on young talents with the Tony Siddayao Awards, given to Nicole Gan and Zach Guico.

Guico made waves internationally by dominating the boys’ 7-and-under division at the 2025 US Kids Golf World Championships, a feat that showcased the immense potential of Filipino juniors on a global scale.

Gan, meanwhile, has been a consistent performer abroad, representing the Philippines in top-tier junior events and earning high finishes that reflect both her personal talent and the growing strength of girls’ golf in the country. Her victories include the Class B division of the 31st SICC Junior Invitational Championship in Singapore.

Together, they embodied hope, promise, and the next generation ready to carry Philippine golf to new heights.

The awards night itself was electric, with champions from gymnastics, tennis, basketball, and combat sports filling the ballroom.

Yet, golf held its own quietly but confidently, reminding everyone that while the sport may not always grab headlines, it continues to nurture legends, foster champions, and cultivate future stars.

From Miñoza’s storied legacy to Tabuena’s ongoing battle on the world stage, and the youthful fire of Gan and Guico, Philippine golf presented a complete story — a past to honor, a present to celebrate, and a future to eagerly anticipate.

The evening wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a vivid reminder that golf in the Philippines is more than a game — it’s a tradition, a pursuit of excellence, and a source of national pride, connecting generations of athletes and fans alike.