Mindanao gets big boost from Great White Shark

MANILA, Philippines – The island of Mindanao just found a great ambassador in Greg Norman.

“Mindanao is not the place some people think it is,” the great golf champion and topnotch golf course designer from Down Under said last Sunday.

The 57-year-old Norman is designing an 18-hole golf course around the wonderful Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Zamboanga. So, he had to sell the idea.

Norman, who reigned supreme as a golfer in the ‘80s, dashed any negative reports on Mindanao, and said it’s a great place to build a complete golf course.

“If you believe everything that media would say then the whole world will be a very bad place,” said Norman in a press conference at the Makati Shangri-la.

“Unfortunately, the media sometimes would cast a shadow on the wrong places. You just need to look beyond all that. Mindanao is a great place,” said Norman.

This drew a round of applause from those present, including Senator Tito Sotto, Zamboanga del Sur Representative Cesar Jalosjos and former congressman Romeo Jalosjos.

 “Why don’t we name Mr. Norman as our ambassador for Mindanao?” asked Sotto, an avid golfer.

Norman, known in the golf circle as the “Great White Shark,” flashed his famous smile.

Also present was Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte. During the brief discussions, Camsur was also mentioned as another great place to build a golf course.

“The big picture here is totally about growth and prosperity. Mindanao and all the negativity is not the way I see it but an opportunity for golf, an opportunity for the Philippines and its people.

“The common denominator here is golf,” said Norman, who has designed a couple other golf courses in the country.

Dan Grassi, senior projects director of the Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) for Asia and the Middle East, is brimming with excitement over their latest project.

He said work on the seaside course should be done after in 18 months.

“It has nice elevation changes and majority of holes are seaside. You can see the ocean from every hole. It’s going to be very beautiful,” Grassi added.