Cheng family continues tradition of Uratex golf

The family of the late Robert Cheng has continued the tradition left by the golf aficionado and sports patron with the staging of the annual Uratex National Caddies Championship.

The 15th staging of one of the world’s most unique tournaments is slated Feb. 17-20 at the Valley Golf and Country Club’s short (5,396-yard) but challenging (par 70) Executive Course.

The late businessman Robert Go Cheng, the RGC Group of Companies founder, started the caddies’ tournament in 1988 at the Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club.

He had set three goals all focused on Filipino caddies: Provide a national event for them, discover talent from their ranks and develop their skills.

Cheng died of a heart attack last Oct. 29. He was 58.

Cheng was forced to move the venue from the tournament’s original home to Valley because Capitol Hills is still under going massive renovation.

Knowing fully well Cheng’s dedication of helping the local bag toters, his wife Naty and children Pinky, Peach and Big Boy decided to continue with the tournament.

Col. Abe Villanueva and Manding Santos of the RGC Group of Companies are again co-chairmen of the tournament. Taby Tabaniag, Jake Ayson and Roger Flores are members of the organizing committee.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the Cheng family for continuing Robert’s laudable project," Villanueva said. "We would also like to thank Valley for hosting it again."

Caddies from most of the country’s golf club are competing in the P2-million tournament. Competition will be in men’s team and individual and ladies’ individual.

"We are again expecting a record field as we do every year," they said. "Last year, 178 players from 46 teams in the men’s event and 60 from 17 teams in the ladies’ division competed.

As usual, there will be no fees, but all the participants are required to wear uniforms representing their clubs. They will be provided board and lodging gratis.

The organizing committee is finalizing the prizes for all the winners-all in the form of gift certificates. "We will announce them next week," Villanueva and Santos said.

Wack Wack Golf and Country Club is expected to defend the men’s team title. Joenard Rates outlasted Wack Wack’s Ruben de la Rosa in a sudden death play off to win the men’s individual title.

"Since this tournament from the beginning puts premium on giving other caddies the chance, the men’s defending champion is not allowed to return," Villanueva said.