‘Like royalty,’ says caddie of Interclub experience
When Kristine Inoncillo, Jovelyn Santos, Rosalyn Felipe and Rachelle Nierves were driven back to The Royal Northwoods Golf and Residential Estates in San Rafael, Bulacan, from Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga—a road trip that usually takes about two hours via Jose Abad Santos Avenue and North Luzon Expressway, they didn’t know what else to expect.
The foursome had just conquered the Caddies Interclub Championship organized by Inquirer Golf, with Inoncillo claiming a double by emerging individual champion.
Surely, there was nothing more that could top a dream couple of days.
“It was overwhelming. We were crying from happiness,” Inoncillo said in a message to the Inquirer typed in Filipino. “I hope this isn’t the last time we get to feel like this.”
As they stepped out of the vehicle at the Royal Northwoods clubhouse, more surprise awaited them. Club staff, officials and well-wishers were on hand to welcome the champions home.
It was a perfect ending to a perfect tournament for Inoncillo. And it was exactly what Inquirer Golf had hoped to achieve when it set out to do the tournament: Provide a platform for the people who would normally be in the shadows of the people whose bags they carry.
“This was meant to be a trial run,” said Jong Arcano, Inquirer Golf editor and the tournament’s founder. “But seeing the joy on their faces, how they appreciated everything … it was like winning the lotto. We now believe this tournament has a strong future.”
“If we can sustain this, we might one day see a pro golfer who started as a caddy in this event.”
The event touched the heart of at least one former caddy who went on to become even bigger than just a pro golfer.
“Only Inquirer Golf has shown this kind of faith and support to our caddies. No one else has given them this kind of opportunity,” said former Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos.
Participants were given professional treatment during the event, which drew support from Pampanga Governor Bong Pineda and the Philippine Sports Commission and for once, they got to experience the life that pro golfers live.
“We weren’t just caddies this time—we felt like golfers, like real players,” said Inoncillo. “We stayed in a clean, comfortable hotel, were served meals like royalty and people smiled at us the whole time. It felt like a dream.”
After two days of play on the Pinatubo and Arayat courses, Royal Northwoods emerged on top with 243 points, outlasting squads from Manila Southwoods (234) and Canlubang (231).
Inoncillo said the win was a huge cherry on top of the experience, since getting to join the tournament was already a win.
When she saw Inquirer Golf’s post online announcing the interclub for caddies, she and her friends jumped at the chance. With no formal invite at first, they lobbied hard to get included and trained relentlessly—often in mud—just in case they got the nod.
“When we found out we were in, we were overjoyed,” she said, adding that her team made sure to repay the trust the club gave them, no matter how nerve-wracking it got. “We didn’t want to let down those who believed in us. My hands were shaking during every swing. But we prayed, we focused and we did it.”
