Bigger, better hosting looms
CARMONA, Cavite — The National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) is looking to make the Philippine Open bigger in the next two years after successfully staging the 108th edition despite losing some sponsors.
NGAP president Al Panlilio told DAILY TRIBUNE that they were pleased with this year’s tournament here at Manila Southwoods, which he described as its biggest event every year despite the challenges they faced.
Song Min Hyuk of South Korea emerged as the champion in the Philippine Open.
“We’re very proud to have hosted the 108th Philippine Open, which is the biggest tournament for us every year. We’re very happy we were able to hold it this year despite some of the issues we encountered three months ago,” said Panlilio, who formerly headed the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“Some of the sponsors pulled back, but we were still able to stage a very good tournament, much bigger than last year’s. So we’re very happy.”
The NGAP chief also welcomed the participation of around 28 Filipino golfers, although only about eight made the cut.
He said the association still needs to improve the performance of local players but was encouraged by the campaigns of Justin Quiban and Sean Ramos, who were competing at the top level.
Quiban finished joint eighth in the competition and is the highest-ranked Filipino golfer in the Philippine Open, which served as the last stop for the prestigious Asian Tour.
“I’m very happy that Justin and Sean are competing at this level,” Panlilio said.
Panlilio said the NGAP hopes to sustain its partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which presented the event, while appealing to private companies to support the tournament in its next editions.
As this developed, PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio vowed to sustain government support for the Philippine Open, saying the 108-year-old tournament is too important to be discontinued.
Gregorio said the country’s oldest tournament on the Asian Tour calendar serves not only as a showcase for the Philippines as a golf destination but also as a platform for developing local players.
“We’re looking at preserving the legacy. The Philippine Open is 108 years old. We just can’t let it go. We cannot stop it. It has to continue,” Gregorio said.
Gregorio pointed out that the tournament gives around 30 to 32 Filipino golfers, including junior players and young professionals, the opportunity to compete against international players on the Asian Tour.
Without a local event, he said, it would be difficult for many of them to gain access to the same level of competition because of ranking and qualifying requirements.
“Winning is one thing. Giving our golfers exposure, opportunities to compete and the confidence to showcase the Philippines as an ideal golf destination are also victories,” Gregorio said.