Dumdumaya, 3 other Pinoys ready to rise to AAC challenge at Te Arai
MANILA, Philippines — Armed with confidence, contrasting strengths, and a shared hunger to make their mark, four Filipino golfers brace for a stern test against the Asia-Pacific’s elite as the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) blasts off Thursday at the demanding South Course of the Te Arai Links in Tomarata, New Zealand.
Jaden Dumdumaya, Shinichi Suzuki, Rolando Bregente and Chris Remata face not only a formidable international field but also a course expected to reward precision, patience and sound shot-making, with swirling winds and rock-hard greens threatening to punish even the slightest miscalculation.
Yet the challenges also present an opportunity for the Philippine quartet to showcase its growing potential on one of amateur golf’s biggest stages — and, for the champion, a life-changing ticket to the Masters and The Open.
The Filipinos drew late tee times for the opening round, with Remata the first to get going at 11:30 a.m. alongside New Zealand’s Zach May and Malaysia’s Aiden Kei. Dumdumaya follows at 12:03 p.m., playing with Japan’s Taishi Moto and Thailand’s Parin Sarasmut, while Suzuki tees off at 12:14 p.m. with Taiwan’s Cheng Wei Hsieh and Vietnam’s Anh Huy Ho.
Bregente completes the Philippine lineup at 12:58 p.m., paired with Australia’s Graham Hourn and Thailand’s Ajalawich Anantasethakul.
Leading the charge is Dumdumaya, the highest-ranked Filipino in the World Amateur Golf Ranking at No. 67. The 20-year-old makes his AAC debut eager to turn a major opportunity into a statement performance against the region’s best.
“It means a lot to play in my first AAC, which is a very prestigious event. I'm really excited to represent my country and carry the flag of the Philippines and hopefully, I'll bring some glory back to the Philippines by performing well,” Dumdumaya said in an earlier interview.
He is equally aware of what is at stake, with the championship offering a pathway to two of golf’s most coveted stages.
“The opportunities you gain from participating are endless. Obviously, getting the opportunity to play in the Masters and The Open is a dream come true. I'm looking forward to competing and hope to bring some good news home,” he added.
Dumdumaya’s ranking gives the Philippines a compelling contender to watch, but the country’s hopes do not rest on one player alone. Each member of the quartet brings a different source of confidence to the challenge.
Suzuki, 18, arrives with momentum after capturing the Philippine Amateur Open title, a timely boost as he makes his fourth AAC appearance. Having missed the cut on his debut in 2023 before finishing tied for 30th and joint 45th in the succeeding two editions, he now has valuable championship experience to draw on — along with the belief that his recent victory can translate into a stronger showing.
For Bregente, 24, the championship offers a chance to measure his game against the region’s top amateurs while pursuing a breakthrough finish in his first appearance.
“I’m excited for this opportunity, especially knowing the champion will get into the Masters and The Open. I’m looking to make the cut to make it a good first-time experience. I hope to keep getting into this tournament to test my game against the best in the region,” he said.
Remata, meanwhile, sees a familiar challenge in Te Arai’s potentially punishing winds. The conditions could prove a crucial test, but they may also give him an edge, having experienced similar demands at a course he plays back home.
“Despite the winds being the main challenge, it'll be fun to play here. In the Philippines, one of the golf courses that I play on is pretty similar with the winds so I’ve got the experience and I enjoy the challenge. This tournament is big opportunity, it's amazing,” said Remata.
That familiarity could prove valuable on a layout where controlling ball flight and managing approach shots will be essential. With firm greens making it difficult to hold landing areas, players must be precise not only in finding the fairways but also in judging distances and positioning their shots.
The AAC, launched in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, The R&A and the Masters Tournament, was established to promote the growth of golf across the region while providing its leading amateurs with a pathway to the sport’s highest levels.
For the Philippines, the championship has remained an elusive prize. No Filipino has won since the tournament’s inception, with Lloyd Go’s fourth-place finish in Singapore in 2018 standing as the country’s best result.
The current quartet now has a chance to build on that legacy. Dumdumaya brings a strong world ranking and the motivation of a debutant; Suzuki combines recent winning form with experience; Bregente is hungry to test himself against the region’s elite; and Remata hopes to turn his familiarity with windy conditions into a competitive advantage.
They have an opportunity to contend, gain invaluable experience, and move a step closer to putting Philippine golf on the AAC map.
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