Miñoza a bit immature, says Feliciano

SILANG, Cavite–Immature.

That’s how NGAP (National Golf Association of the Philippines) president and former patron Rod Feliciano described Frankie Miñoza’s decision to withdraw from the DHL-Philippine Open on the eve of the fabled event Wednesday.

"I feel sorry that he didn’t continue (to play)," said Feliciano, the man who brought Miñoza to the US Masters in August in 1991. "May pinagsamahan naman kami, para tuloy nabalewala lahat yun."

In a move that left the $150,000 Open without its top attraction, Miñoza decided to pull out of the event when he found out that his two Japanese guests were not included in the starting list.

He claimed that he was expecting that his earlier request, which Miñoza coursed through business manager Thirdy Escano, for his two guests to play here was granted only to be told otherwise late Tuesday.

Miñoza said this embarrassed him no end to his guests, whose parents have actually lined up some tournaments for the Filipino pros in Japan this year. And only by withdrawing would make them believed that the top Filipino player had indeed made efforts to include them in the list.

Benny Gopez, chair of the organizing committee, however, said that he never made any commitment to Escano with regards to the awarding of three slots to Miñoza’s guests, whom, Gopez claimed, were not only foreigners but also amateurs who do not have any credentials to speak of in the first place.

"I would rather give the slots to the Filipino pros," said Gopez.

But Feliciano said Miñoza’s problem could’ve been solved had he approached the DHL top honcho personally long before he tasked Escano to do the request.

"Medyo nagkamali si Frankie at kay Thirdy niya pinadaan. He could’ve talked to me and I could’ve made the proper arrangement," said Feliciano. "By withdrawing, he showed a little immaturity." — Dante Navarro