NGAP eyes national golf training center

Four months into his tenure at the helm of the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), Al Panlilio is already looking beyond the present and laying the groundwork for the country’s golfing future.

Panlilio has begun exploratory talks with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio on a potentially game-changing project — the construction of a national training center for golf.

Gregorio, Panlilio said, agrees that the time is ripe for Philippine golf to have a facility of its own, with the proposed center requiring about 10 hectares of land.

Under the plan, the facility will feature a 50-bay, two-story driving range, a practice green and a gym dedicated to golfers.

Two sites are being considered: the University of the Philippines and New Clark City. The center would serve as a home base for members of the national team while also opening its doors to aspiring young golfers.

“It would be a self-sustaining venture since the range will be opened to the public,” Panlilio said.

He offered no additional details, saying the NGAP board of directors will hold planning sessions soon to further discuss the project.

Also in the pipeline is a ranking system for amateur golfers, aimed at giving players a clearer and more equitable pathway to earn spots on the national team and compete in international tournaments.

Mico Alejandro, who oversees the national training program, has been tasked with developing the system.

Panlilio disclosed his plans during a round of golf with sportswriters Thursday at Manila Southwoods, where he also met for the first time national team members Jet Hernandez and Rolando Bregente, who are set to compete in the Nomura Cup in Beijing next week.

The NGAP president also thanked Manila Southwoods, represented by general manager Jayson Yu and assistant general manager Jerome Delariarte, for allowing the group to play on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, which will host the Philippine Open in November.

A veteran telecommunications executive and sports administrator, Panlilio previously headed the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the MVP Sports Foundation. He also served as a senior executive of PLDT and as president and CEO of Smart Communications.

Now at the helm of Philippine golf, Panlilio is expected to draw on his corporate and sports-management experience to expand participation in the sport, strengthen junior development and provide greater support for the country’s national teams.

The proposed training center could become a major piece of that vision — a permanent home where the country’s best golfers can train while the next generation gets the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.