The NCAA Season 101 golf tournament is set to be held on May 20 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, marking a first for the collegiate league and one of the new events added to its lineup this season.
According to event host Atty. Jonas Cabochan of San Beda University, the initiative to include golf was proposed by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio.
“Sabi niya, ‘yung sports na nagcha-champion sa international events, subukan nating ilagay sa NCAA,” Cabochan said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum last Tuesday.
(He said let's try introducing in the NCAA the sports where we have champions in international events.)
The NCAA will also hold an aerobic gymnastics event on May 21.
Tournament commissioner Atty. Jord Valenton said the event aims to hone and empower young athletes who could represent the Philippines in future international competitions.
“It’s about honing global talent from the youth, from the grassroots, so this is so much aligned with what we have in NCAA — golf as a discipline, as a sport of integrity, and of toughness, and a means towards international representation,” Valenton said.
A special event for this season, the tournament will feature both team and open categories.
In the team event, each squad will field six players, with the top four scores counting toward the team total.
The open division, meanwhile, will have 58 participants.
The University of Asia and the Pacific will also compete as a guest team.
Gregorio also thanked the NCAA for taking on this initiative.
“This is not an easy process and exercise, if not an easy project, pero nagsumikap sila, ginawa nila, pinatunayan nila na they really want to help Philippine sports.”
(This is not an easy process and exercise, if not an easy project, but they worked hard, they did it, they proved they really want to help Philippine sports.)
“[It’s] Long overdue, but it’s worth the wait.”
—JMB, GMA News
