NCAA 101 sets date for landmark golf tourney
Golf will make its debut in NCAA Philippines history with a one-day tournament set for May 20 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club as part of Season 101.
League officials said the event will serve as a demonstration sport and will feature teams from host Mapua, San Beda, Letran, College of St. Benilde, University of Perpetual Help, Jose Rizal University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Arellano University, and guest school University of the Asia and the Pacific. San Sebastian College and Lyceum of the Philippines have yet to confirm participation.
Organizers are capping the field at around 100 players across team and individual competitions. The inclusion of golf was pushed by Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio, according to NCAA Management Committee vice chair Atty. Jonas Cabochan, who is overseeing the tournament.
Cabochan said Gregorio encouraged the league to adopt sports where the Philippines has excelled internationally.
An Olympic sport
“The first golf tournament in NCAA season history is mainly his initiative,” Cabochan said. Golf is among several Olympic sports added to the Season 101 calendar, alongside boxing, aero gymnastics and weightlifting.
Gregorio welcomed the league’s swift move.
“Speed is better than perfection,” he said, thanking NCAA officials for expanding the program.The tournament is being staged in partnership with the Pilipinas College Golf Series. NCAA ManCom chair Melchor Divina said the event could help broaden access to the sport, often viewed as exclusive.
“Golf is usually seen as a sport for the wealthy, with mostly private tournaments,” Divina said.
“Now, having it in the NCAA can encourage more students to take it up.”
Tournament commissioner Atty. Jord Valenton said the team competition will follow a six-to-play, four-to-count format, with squads allowed to field either five undergraduates and one alumnus or an all-undergraduate lineup.
