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Tag: Golf

  • Ian Umali pushes for youth golf development after NCAA Golf Tournament win 

    Ian Umali pushes for youth golf development after NCAA Golf Tournament win 

    The inaugural National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Golf Tournament recently teed off at the historic Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, marking a significant step in the league’s efforts to broaden its sporting landscape beyond traditional mainstream events.

     

    Emerging victorious in the Guest Division was Filipino entrepreneur and fitness industry figure Ian Tantoco Umali, who clinched the championship title in dramatic fashion after finishing with a score of 80, equivalent to 28 points. Umali ultimately secured the crown via tiebreak after finishing level with Mark Ronquillo, who also carded an identical 80 for 28 points.

     

    The championship was decided by a narrow margin in the final stretch, where Umali proved superior under pressure. He tallied 16 points in the closing nine holes, edging Ronquillo, who managed 15 points in the same stretch, to seal the victory in one of the closest finishes of the tournament.

     

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    Despite walking away as champion, Umali admitted that he was far from satisfied with his overall performance during the competition, describing it as an unexpected triumph given his struggles on the course.

     

    “Actually, medyo nagulat ako because I actually felt like I didn’t play so well,” Umali said in a media interaction.

     

    Beyond his individual achievement, Umali emphasized the broader significance of the NCAA Golf Tournament, highlighting its potential role in developing young Filipino golfers and strengthening grassroots participation in the sport.

    “For me kasi this is really about just the younger generation. We are really trying to help them grow. Because golf for the NCAA is very, very good. It’s actually the first year we are doing the NCAA golf tournament. We were talking to the San Beda golf team nga. And we were telling them na we will support them, we will do training with them, they can go play with us also,” he added.

     

    Umali underscored that the long-term goal of initiatives like the NCAA Golf Tournament is to make golf more accessible to student-athletes, especially at a time when basketball continues to dominate the Philippine sporting landscape. Through his company, Quantum Golf, he aims to help bridge that gap by providing training opportunities and access to facilities for aspiring players.

     

    “So for me, I was telling the San Beda team and probably other teams in the future that they can use my facility for free in order to be able to train,” Umali continued.

     

    The entrepreneur also lauded Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio for supporting initiatives that allow golfers aged 18 and under to access public golf courses free of charge, a policy he believes could significantly boost grassroots development.

     

    “Nung panahon ko, grabe. I always had to ask money from my dad for me to be able to play. But now, because of the PSC and their initiatives, grabe, libre na ang 18 and below to play. So hopefully, we can produce great talent and more individuals to be interested in golf,” Umali stated.

     

    In addition to his growing profile in sports development, Umali has also recently been in the public eye following his attendance at Creamline Cool Smashers games in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, where he has been linked to Philippine volleyball star Alyssa Valdez.

     

    Despite the attention, Umali kept his focus on supporting athletes and local sports programs, expressing enthusiasm for being part of the broader sporting community.

     

    “I’m so excited to just be part of the journey and watch and support all the teams, and especially Alyssa,” he concluded.

     

     

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  • Philippine Sports Commission grassroots initiative breaks barriers, making golf accessible to all Filipino youth 

    Philippine Sports Commission grassroots initiative breaks barriers, making golf accessible to all Filipino youth 

    The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in partnership with the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), officially launched its grassroots initiative “Fairways to the Future”, signaling a nationwide push to develop young Filipino golfing talent from the ground up.


    At the center of the program is a clear goal, to remove barriers that have historically kept golf out of reach for many Filipino youth.

     

    Under the initiative, 20 partner golf clubs across the country will open their doors to players aged 18 and below, including students from public schools, out-of-school youth, and children of caddies and maintenance workers.

     

    The launch was marked by a press conference and an 18-hole tournament featuring promising young Filipino golfers, alongside key stakeholders from participating clubs who will help implement the program moving forward.

     

    PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who is leading the initiative with NGAP head Al Panlilio, emphasized that the program is about changing long-held perceptions of the sport.

     

    “This program will prove that golf is for everyone. No barriers. Walang hadlang,” Gregorio said.

     

    Gregorio also challenged the long-standing notion that golf is reserved only for elite circles.

     

    “We have long accepted the narrative that golf is exclusive, confined strictly to private clubs, wealthy communities, and elite circles. We all know that is not true. So today, alongside NGAP, the Philippine Sports Commission is here to break that barrier, quote-unquote barrier, down once and for all,” he said.

     

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    Beyond access, the program is designed to build a long-term talent pipeline that could eventually produce international-level Filipino golfers. It also forms part of a wider PSC vision of expanding grassroots development programs across multiple sports disciplines.

     

    For Gregorio, the effort is about opportunity as much as competition.

     

    “That is why we call it ‘Fairway to the Future.’ It should serve as a pathway for children who want to play golf but do not have the means. We believe that there’s talent outside of the exclusive courses. Hindi lang pang mayaman ang golf. Golf is for everyone,” Gregorio explained.

     

    The initiative will also maximize the use of public and military-linked golf facilities, including courses in Intramuros, Villamor Air Base, Camp Aguinaldo, and the Philippine Navy, along with several others nationwide, all opening their doors to young golfers.

     

    The nationwide rollout of “Fairways to the Future” is set to begin next month, marking what organizers hope will be a turning point in how golf is introduced, taught, and developed across the Philippines.

     

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  • Philippine collegiate sports gets boost as NCAA introduces golf to sporting calendar

    Philippine collegiate sports gets boost as NCAA introduces golf to sporting calendar

    The National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines), the country’s oldest collegiate athletic organization composed of ten private colleges and universities in Metro Manila, continues to strengthen its role as a breeding ground for emerging Filipino sports talent with the expansion of its sports program.

     

    In a significant development for collegiate sports, the NCAA has officially added golf to its sporting calendar, further broadening a lineup that already includes disciplines such as gymnastics, weightlifting, and boxing. The move has been widely praised by key stakeholders in Philippine sports, including Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio, who expressed strong support for the initiative and signaled plans to replicate the model across other academic institutions nationwide.

     

    “This is not an easy process and not an easy exercise. Pero pinatunayan ng NCAA na gusto nila tulungan ang Philippine sports. This a new project of the PSC and the NCAA. So, let me thank the board of the NCAA. Bilib ako sa kanila by including gymnastics, boxing, weightlifting, and now golf. What the NCAA is doing is really commendable,” Gregorio said during a press conference.

     

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    He further emphasized the long-term vision of expanding sports development programs beyond Metro Manila, particularly into Visayas and Mindanao, as part of a broader grassroots strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s athletic pipeline.

     

    “Mahirap lang ‘yung simula but the PSC is very happy and we are supporting the efforts of the NCAA for sports to grow. Tuloy tuloy po ito. Talagang we will encourage them. Mga state schools and colleges – sports development. Yan po ang ginagawa namin,” he added.

    The announcement comes after the NCAA Management Committee (Mancom) formally revealed on Tuesday, April 14, the staging of a special collegiate golf tournament scheduled for May 20 at the historic Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. The event will feature participation from six to seven member schools, serving as a pilot competition ahead of golf’s expected full integration into the league’s official calendar in the coming years.

     

    According to NCAA Mancom chairman Melchor Divina of Mapúa University, the introduction of golf marks an important step in diversifying the league’s sports offerings and nurturing talent in non-traditional collegiate disciplines.

     

    “Magandang simula ito na with collegiate golf, gaganda pa lalo ang golf in the country. We can encourage more. Everything that we do here is for the good of the sport,” Divina said.

     

    He also confirmed that the league is targeting the full inclusion of golf as a regular sport within the NCAA program within the next two to three years, depending on the success of the initial tournaments and continued support from member institutions.

     

    To ensure the smooth launch and development of the sport at the collegiate level, the NCAA has partnered with the Pilipinas College Golf Series, an independent organization that has been instrumental in organizing golf competitions across the country. The collaboration is expected to provide technical expertise, tournament management support, and a structured pathway for student-athletes interested in pursuing golf competitively.

     

    With this expansion, the NCAA reinforces its commitment not only to traditional powerhouse sports but also to emerging disciplines, strengthening its position as a key driver of grassroots athletic development in Philippine sports.

     

     

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  • Miguel Tabuena makes history by becoming the first Filipino to compete in LIV Golf

    Miguel Tabuena makes history by becoming the first Filipino to compete in LIV Golf

    Miguel Tabuena has been handed a rare — and potentially career-defining — opportunity, becoming the first Filipino golfer to compete in the LIV Golf League, the sport’s most lucrative and polarizing circuit.

     

    Tabuena earned a place on 4Aces GC, the powerhouse team captained by two-time major champion Dustin Johnson, for the opening event of the 2026 LIV Golf season in Saudi Arabia. He steps into the lineup following Patrick Reed’s departure, as the 2018 Masters champion opted to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour — a move that opened a coveted spot on Johnson’s roster.

     

    With this call-up, Tabuena enters LIV Golf’s inner circle, immersing himself in the league’s distinctive format: team competition, shotgun starts, and a fast-paced, limited-field spectacle built around many of the world’s biggest stars and massive financial stakes. For a player who has spent the bulk of his career battling through the ranks of the Asian Tour and International Series, the opportunity represents both a personal milestone and a historic first for Philippine golf.

     

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    The 31-year-old tees it up Wednesday, February 4, at the Riyadh Golf Club, in a rare nighttime opening round. He is grouped with RangeGoats GC’s Ben Campbell and wildcard Yosuke Asaji, the very player who narrowly edged him for the second and final outright LIV Golf League berth via the Asian Tour International Series Order of Merit last season.

     

    Tabuena said the chance to join LIV Golf as a reserve was one he could not turn down, even without guarantees.

     

    “When I got the call from LIV to be a reserve, I felt that it was an open-door opportunity for me that I didn’t want to pass,” Tabuena told Philstar.com. “There was no guarantee to play, but it was still a chance to be here, one foot in the door.”

     

    That chance has now materialized, as Tabuena has been called up to compete for the 4Aces this week.

     

    “Now that I’ve been called up to join the 4Aces this week, I plan to just give it my best shot,” he said. “Contribute whatever I can. It’s a huge privilege and I pray I can make the most of it.”

    Beyond personal achievement, Tabuena recognizes the broader significance of the moment.

     

    “At the end of the day, it’s an amazing thing for my family and I think for Philippine golf in general,” he added.

     

    Tabuena’s presence in LIV Golf is a product of performance, not invitation. Last year, he finished third in the Asian Tour International Series Rankings, highlighted by a breakthrough victory at the inaugural International Series Philippines. That triumph was pivotal, particularly as he played alongside Johnson during the opening two rounds — a clear demonstration that he could hold his own against elite competition.

     

    He also proved his comfort on Saudi soil, finishing joint 11th at the Saudi International last December, also held at Riyadh Golf Club. These results underscore that his entry into LIV Golf is the culmination of years of hard work, preparation, and consistency.

     

    Tabuena could hardly have landed in a better environment. Alongside Johnson, Thomas Pieters, and Thomas Detry, the 4Aces GC are reigning giants of the league — winners of the inaugural 2022 LIV Golf Team Championship and perennial title contenders. The experience offers Tabuena not just exposure to world-class competition, but also the chance to learn firsthand from some of golf’s elite, under the brightest professional lights.

     

    For Tabuena, who has carried Philippine golf’s banner across the Asian Tour and International Series for more than a decade, this moment represents more than a roster spot. It is the realization of a lifelong dream to compete on the sport’s most elite global stage, against major champions, under the pressure of the world’s eyes.

     

    For Philippine golf, it marks a historic breakthrough — proof that homegrown talent can earn a seat, even if initially temporary, at one of the game’s most exclusive tables. The symbolic impact of Tabuena’s achievement cannot be overstated: it sends a message to aspiring Filipino golfers that world-class competition is attainable through dedication, performance, and perseverance.

     

    Whether this becomes a long-term LIV Golf opportunity or a launching pad to even greater heights, Tabuena has already made history, etching his name as a trailblazer for Philippine golf and elevating the country’s profile on the international stage.

     

    As the opening round unfolds under the lights of Riyadh Golf Club, all eyes will be on Tabuena — not just as a competitor, but as a symbol of Philippine ambition and excellence on one of golf’s biggest platforms.

     

     

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  • Philippine Golf Championship to kick off 2026 Asian Tour season with over 130 players

    Philippine Golf Championship to kick off 2026 Asian Tour season with over 130 players

    The Philippines is steadily cementing its reputation as a premier sporting destination in Southeast Asia, a status reinforced by the capital city of Manila recently hosting the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open WTA 125 tennis event. Building on that momentum, the country is now gearing up to welcome some of the region’s top golfers for the Philippine Golf Championship, set to take place from February 5 to 8 at the East Course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City. The tournament also marks the start of the 2026 Asian Tour season, signaling the Philippines’ growing influence in international golf.

     

    Over 130 players are expected to compete in this year’s championship, with notable names including former Asian Tour Order of Merit winners John Catlin of the United States, Sihwan Kim of Thailand, and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, all vying for the season-opening crown. Their participation underscores the tournament’s prestige and the country’s rising profile as a competitive golf hub.

     

    This is the second consecutive year that the Philippines will host the season-opening Asian Tour, a milestone that has not gone unnoticed by officials. Patrick Gregorio, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), believes this recognition demonstrates the international sporting community’s confidence in the country.

     

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    “Hosting the season opener of the Asian Tour for the second straight year reflects the confidence the international sporting community has in the Philippines. The Philippine Golf Championship aligns perfectly with our vision of using major events to inspire excellence, elevate Filipino athletes and strengthen the country’s sports tourism and global sporting profile,” Gregorio said in a media interaction.

    Gregorio’s vision is clear: to make the Philippines a premier destination for sporting events. With the support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the country has recently hosted a string of high-profile competitions, including the FIVB Men’s World Cup, the inaugural FIFA Futsal World Cup, the World Junior Gymnastics Championships, and top-tier international surfing competitions. These events, combined with the Philippine Golf Championship, reflect a deliberate push to position the Philippines as a hub for global sports.

     

    “The Filipino golfers can compete against the world’s best. We have proven that time and again. The Philippines as a golf destination is likewise comparable with the world’s best. Golf will be one of the pillars of our sports tourism efforts. The PSC and NST-IAC will closely work with NGAP to make sure we are successful,” Gregorio added.

     

    This year, the Philippine Golf Championship will feature 25 professional Filipino golfers, supplemented by 16 invited local players and six national amateurs, ensuring strong local representation alongside international talent. The tournament is open to the general public, reflecting the PSC’s commitment to promoting golf in the Philippines and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

     

    As the country continues to host world-class competitions across multiple sports, the Philippine Golf Championship serves not only as a platform for elite competition but also as a statement of intent: the Philippines is ready to claim its place on the global sporting map. With world-class facilities, growing local talent, and strong government support, the nation is poised to become a go-to destination for international sporting events in Southeast Asia.

     

     

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