MANILA – More than 100 golfers representing government agencies, private organizations and media groups are expected to participate in the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman’s Cup at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on Friday, October 9.
The tournament, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., aims to promote the PSC’s Fairway to the Future initiative, a nationwide grassroots golf development program designed to provide opportunities for young and underprivileged athletes.
Registration for participants will open at 6 a.m.
PSC Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio launched the initiative in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen government investment in grassroots sports development.
The program seeks to provide free golf instruction and access to training facilities for qualified children, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.
Priority beneficiaries may include children and dependents of golf caddies, greenskeepers and club employees, as well as public school students, out-of-school youth and aspiring golfers from provincial areas.
“We believe golf talents can be found all over the country, and through this program, we might discover a diamond in the rough who can become a champion,” Gregorio said in a statement Thursday.
The Chairman’s Cup will follow a four-person scramble format, in which team members select the best shot after each stroke and continue playing from that position until completing the hole.
Scores will be calculated using the Molave points system, awarding six points for an albatross, five for an eagle, four for a birdie, three for par, two for a bogey and one for a double bogey. Triple bogeys or worse will receive no points.
The team with the highest accumulated points after 18 holes will emerge as the winner.
Awards will be presented to the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up teams in the Juniors division.
The Government Partners, Private Partners, Media and PSC-Philippine Olympic Committee divisions will each recognize their champion and first runner-up teams.
Special awards will also be given for the most accurate drive and longest drive on Hole 1, as well as nearest the pin and hole-in-one on Hole 13.
Beyond the tournament, the Fairway to the Future program aims to establish a structured development pathway for golfers aged 18 and below.
The initiative includes community- and school-based golf instruction, standardized coaching, regional training centers and organized competitions to help young athletes progress toward higher levels of the sport.
Under the proposed framework, participating golf facilities will allocate practice areas for free use and waive green fees for registered junior golfers during designated hours.
Gregorio emphasized the importance of expanding partnerships with public and private stakeholders to sustain the program and reach more aspiring athletes nationwide.
“We intend to expand our partnerships as we continue the program. Hopefully, more stakeholders will join us in providing opportunities for our children,” he said.
The PSC and the National Golf Association of the Philippines will spearhead the initiative in collaboration with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of National Defense.
The program forms part of broader efforts to make golf more accessible to Filipino youth and develop future athletes capable of competing at national and international levels.
