JGFP to launch landmark project

MANILA, Philippines - The Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines has partnered with the General Managers League of the Philippines and the Golf Distributors Association of the Philippines for another landmark project aimed at making the game more affordable to the young, breed new players and encourage skill improvement.

The three are the lead organizations in the Junior Friendly Club and Junior Friendly Shop campaign that intends to provide local junior players the needed support to reach their true potentials.

The Junior Friendly Club label is given by the JGFP and the GMLP to golf clubs allowing a standard green fee unaccompanied rate of P500 on weekdays and weekends (after 1 p.m.) and the use of practice facilities for free, in the afternoon.

To supplement this effort that has already obtained the support of an initial group of 12 golf clubs, the GDAP in collaboration with the JGFP will tag stores as a Junior Friendly Golf Shops, for giving huge discounts to junior golfers and other activities like sponsorship of jungolf events as well as equipment donations for JGFP’s grassroots development all over the country.

“This is a major breakthrough for our jungolf program. The jungolf community of players and their families appreciate this show of support and it’s for us to make the most of it,” said Luigi Tabuena, president of JGFP.

Tabuena was joined by GDAP president Raymund Atendido and GMLP president Ray Sangil in the formal launch of the project recently during the final day of the Philippine International Golf Show which the GDAP hosted at the SMX Convention Center where standouts of international events were also recognized.

Sangil confirmed that 12 private golf clubs – Orchard, Eastridge, Valley, Northwoods, Eagle Ridge, Mt. Malarayat, Splendido, Riviera, Beverly Place, Aguinaldo, Pueblo de Oro and Del Monte – have already committed to form the pilot group of Junior Friendly Clubs.

Sangil sees more and more clubs joining in the future and work hand in hand with the JGFP and GDAP in providing the benefits especially to those pursuing a career in golf.

Atendido, for his part, said that major brands which are members of GDAP like Mizuno, Taylor Made, Nike, Ping, are supporting the noble campaign.

Pacsports took the lead, during the launch, by donating its demo clubs to the JGFP.

JGFP hopes other Pro Shops will also follow suit.