R&A to give P1.5M fund for NGAP

MANILA, Philippines -  Amateur golf got a big shot in the arm when the Royal & Ancient (R&A), golf’s world governing body, announced its 20,000-pound (around P1.5 million) annual grant to help fund the National Golf Association of the Philippines’ various programs.

NGAP president Tommy Manotoc said he was recently informed by the R&A of its annual funding for the next three years.

Dominique Wall of the R&A visited the country earlier in the year to do a personal inspection of the NGAP’s development program and had them approved by Duncan Weir, who informed the NGAP of R&A grant.

Earlier, the Philippine Sports Commission tasked the NGAP to ensure the country’s successful hosting of the Putra Cup set to start Thursday at Sherwood Hills.

“It just warms the heart that so many people have realized the programs that we have put in place,” said Manotoc. “That (funding) is the first step to a successful program. And for our part, we must perform – starting with the Putra Cup.”

The Philippines last won the Southeast Asia’s official team golf championship in 1996, and the PSC – together with the MVP Sports Foundation and the Philippine Golf Foundation – made sure that the NGAP would be able to tap the players it needs.

Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan was actually the first to support the NGAP by having his MVPSF fund all its tournaments through the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

The NGAP recruited Simone and Rico Hoey, Jonathan Delos Reyes and Katrina Briones from the US to form the nucleus of the men’s and women’s squads. The PSC also shouldered the airfare of Jobim Carlos and Regina de Guzman – both scholars in the US – back to the country for the June 27-30 event.

Thailand is the defending men’s champion and the Philippine crew has a formidable lineup spearheaded by Rupert Zaragosa, the recently crowned Phl Am champion.

The Philippine Olympic Committee, the Department of Tourism, Asia Brewery, the Turf Company, Sligo, Ping, Intramachineries Doosan, Suntrust, Crimson Hotel and Golf Depot are the other major backers of the 72-hole event.