Philippine Open to push through, assures golf body
11/25/2009 | 12:42 PM
Professional golfers can heave a sigh of relief now.
The National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) announced the staging of the Philippine Open, Asia’s oldest national championship, next month, although the exact venue and dates were not yet disclosed.
“There have been a lot of rumors circling the RP Open. Let me reassure the pros that the NGAP is doing its best to have one this year," NGAP director Pablo Soon told GMANews.TV.
The RP Open, which is most-awaited by the players and long-time golf fans as well, is normally set in the summer season, or somewhere between January to June. But the global financial crisis made it doubly hard for the NGAP to actually solicit for sponsorships for this year's edition.
It did not deter the NGAP, however, from seeking assistance from the association's long-time partners. Thus, through the combined efforts of its president and Transportation secretary Leandro Mendoza, executive director Jake Ayson and Soon, the RP Open is a go.
“Our efforts are paying off. The tournament will be what we call a sort of Christmas Gift or 'Pamaskong Handog' to the pros," said Soon, who attended Tuesday’s PSA forum with Ayson and national team coach Carmelette Villaroman and member Tonlits Asistio.
No Asian Tour intervention
The only difference of the 93rd edition of the upcoming RP Open is that the Asian Tour will not be sanctioning it. According to Soon, it is impossible now to have the Asian Tour on board because the latter is already in the homestretch of its 2009 season.
Our efforts are paying off. The tournament (RP Open) will be what we call a sort of Christmas Gift or 'Pamaskong Handog' to the pros. 
– Pablo Soon, NGAP director
Soon stated, though, that the NGAP and Asian Tour are in constant communication in the last few months. In fact, both parties are looking forward to another partnership in 2010 and might be looking at March 25 to 28 as the possible date of the event.
“Some things are in the table and up for discussion. There are a lot of issues that must be covered to ensure the smooth operation of the Open," he said.
One particular detail that must be addressed is the amount of prize to be put up. The minimum, as the Asian Tour says, is $300,000—enough to cover the prize money for the players and some for logistics.
“That’s why NGAP is not rushing with the Asian Tour. We both have to maximize limited resources. For now, the NGAP will do the Open alone before going into another contract (with the Asian Tour)," he said. - Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV
The National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) announced the staging of the Philippine Open, Asia’s oldest national championship, next month, although the exact venue and dates were not yet disclosed.
The RP Open, which is most-awaited by the players and long-time golf fans as well, is normally set in the summer season, or somewhere between January to June. But the global financial crisis made it doubly hard for the NGAP to actually solicit for sponsorships for this year's edition.
It did not deter the NGAP, however, from seeking assistance from the association's long-time partners. Thus, through the combined efforts of its president and Transportation secretary Leandro Mendoza, executive director Jake Ayson and Soon, the RP Open is a go.
“Our efforts are paying off. The tournament will be what we call a sort of Christmas Gift or 'Pamaskong Handog' to the pros," said Soon, who attended Tuesday’s PSA forum with Ayson and national team coach Carmelette Villaroman and member Tonlits Asistio.
No Asian Tour intervention
The only difference of the 93rd edition of the upcoming RP Open is that the Asian Tour will not be sanctioning it. According to Soon, it is impossible now to have the Asian Tour on board because the latter is already in the homestretch of its 2009 season.
Our efforts are paying off. The tournament (RP Open) will be what we call a sort of Christmas Gift or 'Pamaskong Handog' to the pros. “Some things are in the table and up for discussion. There are a lot of issues that must be covered to ensure the smooth operation of the Open," he said.
One particular detail that must be addressed is the amount of prize to be put up. The minimum, as the Asian Tour says, is $300,000—enough to cover the prize money for the players and some for logistics.
“That’s why NGAP is not rushing with the Asian Tour. We both have to maximize limited resources. For now, the NGAP will do the Open alone before going into another contract (with the Asian Tour)," he said. - Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV
