PREPARATIONS are in full swing as Resorts World Manila hypes up the fifth edition of the Resorts World Manila Masters.
In collaboration with Asian Tour, the leading professional golf organization in Asia, and Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, which has hosted the tournament since its inception, this year’s iteration is headlined by a charity initiative for those that were affected by the recent attack at Resorts World Manila.
“It is in loving memory of the employees and guests we lost during a senseless incident,” said Resorts World Manila CEO, Stephen Reilly. “By integrating a charity component into the tournament this year, we stand by our commitment to honor our dear departed whilst helping this they left behind move forward.”
The proceeds will benefit the families of Resorts World Manila employees and guests who were affected by the incident.
Asian Tour has also expressed its support with its CEO Josh Burack hoping that this fundraising activity will bring some measure of relief to the families.
The press conference was the first of a series of activities priming the tournament and will be followed by a Media Golf Day on Oct. 6, a Professional-Amateur Tournament on Nov. 7, and finally a Player’s Press Conference to wrap up preparations which will be held a day before the tournament proper on Nov. 8.
Robert Sobrepeña, chairman of Manila Southwoods and Country Club, and Jeff Kimble, Asian Tour Commercial Director, stressed the importance of the tournament to the progression of golf as a known sport in the Philippines and an independent source of tourism itself.
“Golf tourism is becoming very important in Asia,” said Kimble. “In this platform that Resorts World has put together, there has been a lot of benefit for the Philippine tourism in general. An Asian Tour TV Broadcast goes out to 750 million households in 180 countries across the globe. Last year, the Philippine broadcast went to 32 countries through 40 different broadcast television stations. It generates about US$60M, showing how wonderful this country is; the hospitality, the great golfing club locations and the great weather. That has to be a powerful thing for the Philippines and Tourism in general.”
Reilly added that through the joint effort of Resorts World, Asian Tour and Southwoods, the success of the Masters has permanently elevated the Philippines as a prime destination choice for golf.
It is yet to see its first Filipino champion, but possible Filipino golfers to grace this year’s tournament are Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que, Miguel Tabuena and Antonio Lascuna.
The most lucrative full-field Asian tour event will be on its fifth and final leg. Nevertheless, Resorts World Manila Masters will still receive Official World Golf Ranking points with a minimum of 14 points awarded to the winner as well as a winner’s prize of $180,000.