The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) has become the first Philippine university to incorporate golf into its physical education and sports programs, following a partnership with the Villaroman Golf Academy (VGA).
The university, located in Ortigas, said in a statement it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the VGA to promote golf as a “values-driven sport” for students.
The collaboration was recognized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) as the first of its kind.
The MOU was signed by UA&P president John Philip Yeung and VGA president Carito Villaroman at the university’s campus on Sept. 1, 2025. Valeriano Floro II, secretary general of NGAP, and Dr. Fe Gladys Golo, UA&P’s vice president for academic and faculty affairs, were present as witnesses.
VGA, which has trained international golfers like Bianca Pagdanganan and Yuka Saso, will provide coaching, technical expertise and assistance with organizing golf events under the agreement.
“This initiative is a testament to UA&P’s pioneering and forward-thinking vision,” Villaroman said.
“We look forward to developing a program that not only enhances skills but also nurtures integrity, patience, and focus,” he said.
Yeung said the partnership aligns with the university’s focus on character development.
“We are integrating golf into our curriculum not just because it is a business sport, but because it is a game that develops men and women of character, men and women of integrity,” he said.
Floro II of the NGAP described the initiative as a significant step for the sport in the country.
“This has never happened in the Philippines. Golf in schools has been an impossible task—until today,” he said.
“UA&P’s initiative is a big step in growing the game, and we hope other institutions will follow,” said Floro.
The partnership aims to not only produce better athletes but to “form champions of life,” according to a joint statement from the two organizations.
