The National Golf Association of the Philippines has welcomed with optimism and full support the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ openness to include golf in its calendar of sports — an initiative that could significantly strengthen the country’s grassroots-to-elite athlete pipeline.
In an official statement, the NGAP expressed its gratitude to both the UAAP and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), citing the proposal as a milestone in the development of homegrown golf talent.
“The National Golf Association of the Philippines is proud to express its full support for the inclusion of golf in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, in close partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission and the UAAP Board,” the statement read.
The announcement follows a recent courtesy visit by NGAP Secretary General Bones Floro and Executive Director Myka Romulo to newly appointed PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio.
For NGAP, the time is ripe for the sport’s expansion in academic leagues, especially with the recent success of Filipina golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, who finished a remarkable fourth place at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Her near-podium performance has inspired renewed interest in golf as a competitive sport in the Philippines.
“Bianca’s Olympic performance stands as a powerful testament to the potential of Filipino athletes on the global stage. The integration of golf into the UAAP not only broadens the sport’s reach but also creates a vital platform for student-athletes to compete at a high level — right here on home soil,” NGAP said.
Currently, many of the country’s most promising junior golfers pursue athletic and academic careers abroad, particularly through the U.S. collegiate system.
NGAP hopes that the inclusion of golf in the UAAP will provide Filipino athletes with opportunities domestically, allowing them to develop their skills while staying closer to home.
“It is time we create equivalent opportunities within the Philippines. With golf gaining remarkable traction in recent years — especially in the wake of the pandemic — we must seize this opportunity to formalize competitive local structures that nurture our homegrown talent.”
This sentiment aligns closely with Gregorio’s long-term vision for Philippine sports, as discussed during his meeting with the UAAP Board of Managing Directors last Wednesday.
Gregorio emphasized the importance of closing the gap in the country’s sports development value chain, noting that student-athletes often lose momentum when they enter college and find their sport absent from the university system.
“The missing links are our universities and colleges. That’s where the sports value chain gets cut off,” said Gregorio. “If we truly want to win more medals in international tournaments, we need the support and foundation that our universities and colleges provide.”
The UAAP currently hosts a calendar of Olympic sports such as basketball, athletics, swimming, taekwondo, and volleyball, among others.
Now, with support from the PSC, the league is exploring the addition of medal-rich sports like weightlifting, shooting, and golf — initially as demonstration events, with an eye toward permanent status.
UAAP Finance Committee Chairman and Adamson University VP for Student Affairs, Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, confirmed that PSC is willing to provide financial assistance for the launch of new sporting disciplines. This support could alleviate one of the league’s primary concerns: the cost of introducing and maintaining new events.
“Historically, we haven’t been adding new events due to the financial burden on schools. But with Chairman Pato’s support, the PSC is now willing to help us introduce new Olympic-aligned sports,” said Fr. Suan.
UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag Jr. echoed this excitement, noting that the league’s mission is to serve the national sports program.
“The UAAP’s raison d’être is to support the national sports program — our reason for being. If we can be the bridge between grassroots potential and international excellence, then it becomes a legacy worth investing in,” said Saguisag.
