Manotoc quits NGAP race, trains sights on youth golf

Realizing the futility of his bid to help unify the golfing community under the aegis of the National Golf Association of the Philippines, sportsman Tommy Manotoc yesterday decided to withdraw from the NGAP elections slated April 26 at the Philippine Navy Golf Club.

Instead, Manotoc hopes to implement a comprehensive amateur golf development program, which he said has been "non-existent" the past several years.

The decision came after NGAP president Rod Feliciano turned down Manotoc’s two pre-conditions for his participation in the elections, including that he be given "four slots in the board of his choice" and that "no director or his family be allowed to do any personal business with the association."

"Feliciano could not commit to either of these so I told him that I was no longer interested in running for the president," said Manotoc.

The withdrawal virtually gave Feliciano a fresh two-year mandate to lead the country’s governing golf body.

Cangolf’s Luigi Yulo likewise said he would no longer seek a seat in the NGAP board.

Manotoc also hit the roster of the new nominees for the upcoming elections, saying it showed "a very strong military presence."

"This will further alienate the different clubs which terminated their membership in the past mainly due to the Ericsson scandal," said Manotoc, referring to the Ericsson Tour, a pro circuit in the late 90s which involved $2 million in funds.

Manotoc will make official his withdrawal in a press conference on April 19 where he is also expected to brief the media on the setup and thrust of their own jungolf and amateur golf development programs.

"We already have brought together the two jungolf groups," said Manotoc, referring to the Boy Cantada-led group and the one headed by Gerry Handog which both have been staging their respective jungolf tournaments.

He said they will tap the current top 10 or 15 players from the jungolf ranks, give them the proper training, including practice rounds at various courses on weekends.

Manotoc added that he has already gotten the nod of the Philippine Golf Foundation for his amateur program, which he hopes to establish the soonest possible time.

"It’s about time to put up this kind of program which we don’t have for years," said Manotoc, adding that various sponsors have already agreed to back the program on a long-term basis.

Under the scheme, Manotoc will create a pool of golfers composed of the country’s top amateurs from various golf clubs, provide them with weekly tournaments and send them abroad for the needed exposure.