A total of 285 golfers, including over 100 professionals from the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines (PGAP), will compete in the 1st Pasay Mayor ‘Emi’ Cup Pro-Am golf championship starting Thursday at the Villamor golf course in Pasay City.
Newly elected PGAP president Johnnel Bulawit announced that the total prize money allocated for four categories – touring pro, teaching pro, seniors, and super seniors – is P1 million for the association’s first tournament after a yearlong break.
Among the prominent names in the industry joining are former Asian Games campaigner Jonnel Ababa, Mars Pucay, Tony Lascuna as well as senior players, who have been overlooked in the community for a long time.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga sponsors, sa tiwala ni Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, gayundin sa Eduardo Duay Calixto Foundation Inc. sa pangungunani Pasay City First Gentleman Edgardo ‘Ka Egay’ Rubiano at nabigyan nang pagkakataon ang ating mga pro golfers na mahabang taon ding naapektuhan ng pandemya,” said Bulawit during the media conference on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.
The two-day tournament is a fund-raising event that will benefit students, seniors and residents of Pasay City, as well as other institutions under the Calixto Foundation program.
“We in the city of Pasay and the Calixto Foundation are glad that we have partnered with PGAP to promote a program that will help not only our pros and senior golfers, but also our less fortunate citizens who are supported by the Calixto Foundation,” said Rubiano, who was joined by his son and EDCFI Board member Luigi Rubiano, PGAP Executive Secretary Elisa Villalba, tournament director Luis Paraiso and coordinator Darren Evangelista.
“Buo puso po ang pasasalamat namin sa mga tumulong na sponsors. ‘Yung iba pa na gusto humabol, bukas pa po ang pintuan, kahit last-minute yan puwedeng puwede pa,” added Luigi Rubiano.
The shotgun tee off will begin at 6 a.m., while the second batch for the first round of the tournament will be held at 12:00 p.m.
“Inaanyayahan po natin ang lahat na makiisa at sumali sa ating torneo, ‘yung mga amateur players may pagkakataon pa po kayong sumali dito sa ating torneo na may puso, dahil hindi lamang ang golfing community ang natutulungan natin pati na rin ang ating mga kapus-palad na kababayan,” said Villalba.
Villalba expects more tournaments in the coming months as the new PGAP leadership is already finalizing programs with other Local Government Units and private institutions.