MANILA, Philippines — The 2020 World Amateur Team Championships, moved to Singapore last February due to social unrest in previously assigned host Hong Kong, has now been totally scrapped due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This marks the first time that the biennial event, launched in 1958 and which the Philippines hosted in 1996 at Manila Southwoods (men’s) and Sta. Elena (ladies), has been cancelled. Antony Scanlon, executive director of the International Golf Federation, cited the uncertainty the pandemic has caused as the reason for the cancellation.
The Philippines last joined the event in 2014 in Japan with the women’s team of Princess Superal, Clare Legaspi and Pauline del Rosario placing 10th in the 29th edition ruled by Australia. The men’s squad of Rupert Zaragosa, Kristoffer Arevalo and Raymart Tolentino ended up 47th with the US, then led by now PGA Tour campaigner Bryson DeChambeau, beating Canada by two.
Failure to come up with solid teams (men’s and women’s) and financial constraints have forced the country to miss the succeeding editions in Mexico and Ireland. The Philippines was seriously considering rejoining the event this year given the proximity of Singapore and with a slew of available talents on the table.
“This unprecedented decision was due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty that this has caused to ensuring that the 2020 WATC could be staged successfully,” said Scanlon. “But most importantly, it was made to safeguard the health and safety of all athletes, officials and volunteers at the 2020 WATC, to which there was no certainty that this risk could be mitigated to an acceptable level.”