For sake of unity, Cangolf returning to Fil-Am this year

Saying he wants to embody his personal mission to unify the golf community, Tommy Manotoc said he and his teammates from multi-titled Interclub team Canlubang will take part in the Fil-Am golf team championships in Baguio City after a three-year absence.

The Fil-Am, billed as the biggest golf tournament in the world in terms of participation, had been Manotoc’s favorite event in his long career. But he has shied away from it since his Calatagan squad lost to Manila Southwoods in a controversial finish in 2001.

Now, Manotoc said he’s ready to return.

"It’s all for golf unity," said the long-time amateur standout when he appeared in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Manila Pavilion. "(Canlubang skipper) Luigi Yulo has already said yes and we’re looking forward to playing in the next Fil-Am tournament."

Manotoc had made a bid for a seat in the National Golf Association of the Philippines in a bid to lure back and unify the country’s major golf clubs under the umbrella of the country’s golf body, but it was derailed by a controversy the move unwittingly generated.

The multi-titled cage coach has since taken a step back, withdrawing his nomination from the NGAP elections while launching the Philippine Golf Development Foundation which he hopes would be his vehicle to spur the growth of golf in the country.

"I’m sorry if I said things in the past that hurt other people. But I’ve retracted, and I’m no longer interested in any position. Initially I felt that you have to be in a position of power to make things happen. Now we feel we can do something for golf even on our own.

"We’re far behind in golf. We should not fool ourselves by thinking we’re not. But we have to do something, and we have to start somewhere."

Through the Foundation which he set up with former Finance Secretary OV Espiritu, Alex Montelibano, Montito Garcia, Sta. Lucia’s Enteng Santos and Yulo, Manotoc said he hopes to complement existing golf programs and create new ones in the hope of widening the sport’s talent base.

Manotoc said he is even willing to meet again with NGAP president Rod Feliciano and thresh out differences that arose from his bid for a seat in the golf body.

"I’m willing to sit down with Mr. Feliciano, talk to him and help the programs of the NGAP," he said.

Manotoc said it was his wife, Yvette, who encouraged him to step up and do his share in the development of golf in the country.

"There comes a phase in a man’s life when he feels he has to give something back. Golf has been very good to me. It has given me so much, not in terms of money or fame but it has made me a better person. I’m also married to a good golfer who encouraged me to do this for the sport."

"I’m devoting one, two years to this mission, and if something big comes out of it then may be I can pass it on to younger people who can continue with it. If it doesn’t, then may be I can retire and play golf in Boracay with peace in my mind, knowing I’ve tried," he said.