Golf tourism

The Mactan-Cebu Amateur Open Golf Tournament has not only caught the interest of the local golfers, but that of foreigners as well.

Ret. General Rodante Joya, GM of the Mactan Island Golf Club, told me late yesterday that there are already at least 50 players confirmed for the tournament including several foreigners.

He said that some of the foreigners are based in Cebu, but there are also who are visiting and have decided to join. They will still accept walk-ins today as the tee off time will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

This is the second year of the tournament, which drew a total of 42 players last year.

PLDTsme Group VisMin headed by Nilo Bantilan has come forward to support this tournament just the way the company has also supported many small and medium enterprises develop their business.

I am positive that this partnership will elevate the tournament into the premiere individual event in Cebu.

In the coming years, I won’t be surprised if the field of players from other countries will equal that of the locals if not surpass it most especially that there is a plan to open a category for players with handicaps of ten or higher.

I do remember that the commission of Lapu-Lapu City, which is tasked to push sports tourism, has identified golf as one of the events that it will support to help attain their lofty goals.

There are plans of MIGC to bid as host of next year’s edition of the Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Tournament. This is the biggest golf tournament of the country and I hope that it will return to Cebu in 2011, ten years after it was last held here.

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The Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA), whose reins have been given to Jun San Juan after its founding president Glenn Anthony Soco threw his hat into politics, has lined up its plans and programs for 2010.

In a recent meeting, the volleyball organization identified certain activities that it will be conducting.

Many may know CEVA because of the Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup. But beyond being the organization running the show at the GUV Cup, CEVA has also initiated activities that have developed the sport in the grassroots level.

Volleyball was not only promoted in each town and city of Cebu Province, but also coaches and players have been developed.

There are now many nationally licensed referees and game officials from Cebu and many young players have earned athletic scholarships.

I hope other sports organizations will also be true to their ambition of pushing real grassroots sports development. CEVA did it when Glenn was president and will continue doing it under Jun.

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MILESTONES: I would like to extend birthday greetings to Cebu’s version of Maria Sharapova, Mayenne Cuyos, who turns a year older today.

Tomorrow’s greetings go to Dr. Serapio Salazar, Jr., Orly Cajegas and Sheila Florabel Guimary.

More power to all of you!