DOTC chief looms as new golf chief

DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza is expected to take over the helm of the National Golf Association of the Philippines beginning today with a mission of bringing back unity to golf’s governing body which has been at odds with the country’s major golf clubs.

The country’s governing body for golf holds its biennial elections today at Villamor with Mendoza, representing Mt. Malarayat, expected to become its 11th president after outgoing president Benny Gopez announced that he would not seek reelection after serving for two terms.

Gopez and outgoing secretary-general Ret. Adm. Luisito Fernandez also said they are not running for any board seat with Alabang’s Caloy Coscoluella and Frankie Locsin of Iloilo taking over their spots in the 13-man board of directors.

However, Gopez is expected to present a resolution before the elections outlining his proposal for amnesty to member clubs who have either resigned or are not in good standing in what could pave the way for the return of these clubs to the NGAP fold.

Gopez recently said the amnesty proposal, if approved by the board, would be a major step in finally uniting the major stakeholders of the sport and hopefully help put in place a sound golf program.

In fact, the Federation of Golf Clubs of the Philippines, Inc., an organization of well-known golf clubs in the country, which in past years has held year-long programs and tournaments outside the aegis of the NGAP, has expressed its willingness to finally work hand in hand with the ruling golf body.

"Mr. Gopez said they will talk about it during their board meeting and then I will talk to the board of the federation. What I am saying is that we have opened the door for talks between the two groups," said FGCPI chair Richie Garcia of Sta. Elena, who is also a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.

The approval of the amnesty bid is also expected to pave the way for the staging of this year’s Philippine Open at Wack Wack, long regarded as the home of Asia’s oldest and the country’s premier golf championship. This after the NGAP forged a deal with the Asian Tour International Ltd., giving the AT the rights to organize and underwrite the RP Open for the next three years.

In a recent visit here, the AT officials have signified their interest and preference to hold the Open at the fabled Wack Wack. But under the rules, only NGAP members can host the Open, thus putting Wack Wack’s bid in question.

However, Wack Wack has indicated its willingness to become a member of the NGAP again.

But with the amnesty issue pushed and the general sentiment among members of the NGAP board having been so encouraging, observers believe it will be just a matter of formalizing the approval of the Gopez proposal.