When the sun rose over the Alabang Country Club for the 38th Mango Tee Tournament, few could have imagined that a troubling controversy would mark this year’s historic eight-day event. 

For decades, the Mango Tee has been celebrated for the camaraderie, spirited competition, and the well-known hospitality of ACC members, directors, golf workers, tournament committee members, office staff and service personnel.

Great care was devoted to preparing the course and club facilities. The fairways were groomed with pride, greens carefully tended, and every detail thoughtfully arranged. Generous giveaways, prizes, trophies, nightly dinners, and raffles throughout the eight days, and mementos on every hole reflected the dedication of a community determined to deliver another memorable Mango Tee. It was a celebration of sport, fellowship and tradition.

The MT Committee, created by the ACC Board, operates under the authority and direction of its creator.  For 38 years, the annual Mango Tee has served the Filipino golfing community well. It has built friendships, strengthened networks, and fostered healthy competition. 

Sadly, this year it became the backdrop for an unsettled issue surrounding the tournament results, amplified by scandal-driven reporting. What might otherwise have remained an internal concern grew into a public debate that may linger in golfing circles long after the final putt had dropped. As old caddies often say, “Sir, the ball may stop rolling, but the story keeps going.”

Golf is a game founded on integrity. Its unwritten code is simple and stirring; honor the rules, respect fellow players, and let the scorecard tell the truth. It is perhaps the only sport where the players serve as the referees of their own mistakes. For decades, the Mango Tee embodied that spirit. It was a beloved tradition where amateurs tested not only their swing, but also their sportsmanship, patience, and composure through every missed putt and hard-earned par.

This year, however, what should have been a celebration of athletic grace was overshadowed by allegations and suspicions of score manipulation, sandbagging, improbable performances, disputed scorecards, questions involving handicap certification, and reports of the inclusion of an ineligible professional.

Whether grounded on fact or fueled by perception, these concerns quickly gained traction.

Differing perspectives intensified when loud booing erupted during the awards night. The declared champions were viewed through a lens clouded by speculation and disbelief, where the improbable became suspect. What may have begun as a procedural lapse, a misplaced assumption, a gap in communication, or even an unfounded rumor grew larger than anyone anticipated. A small spark met dry grass and was fanned by sensational coverage resulting from the alteration of the tournament outcome and its unintended consequences.

If it is any comfort, controversy is as old as the human community itself. Wherever people gather, differences in judgment and perception will arise. Yet history shows that controversies, however fierce in the moment, rarely endure when confronted with clarity, courage, and decisive action.

Controversies have a limited shelf life when promptly resolved. Institutions preserve their credibility not by avoiding difficult decisions, but by confronting them with integrity.

Surely, golfers know that even the straightest drive can take an unfortunate bounce. The ACC Board’s decision to disqualify the winners may be viewed differently by the affected golfers and by the public. What some see as a necessary enforcement of rules, others may perceive as harsh, premature, or even unjust. In moments like this, perspectives often depend on where one stands, whether guided strictly by procedure or by sympathy for those who were disqualified.

The time has come for reflection, for unity to be restored, and for the enduring spirit of the Mango Tee to move forward beyond a single dispute. With strengthened procedures, renewed transparency, and a shared commitment to fairness, the tradition will continue to thrive.

After all the noise, the golfing community is now moving forward with renewed enthusiasm and eager anticipation for the 39th Mango Tee Tournament next year.