Golf legend wants to inspire youth

MANILA, Philippines — If and when the COVID-19 pandemic is contained and the first shot in golf is hit at the resumption of the competitions, legend Frankie Miñoza expects to be out there slugging it out with the current stars and a slew of rising turks.

Not to vie for the championship but to help motivate the young players.

“I want to continue playing to serve as inspiration to our young golfers,” said the two-time Philippine Open champion and Asia’s former No. 1.

The Del Monte, Bukidnon ace actually came out of a six-month hiatus after falling ill in 2018 and was forced to stay home to recover. Though he finished tied at 47th in his comeback tournament at Pradera Verde last January, Miñoza still proved that at 60, he can still measure up with the best of the rest.

“He can still compete,” said Philippine Golf Tour four-time Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña.

But the global coronavirus outbreak had cut short not only his return stint but all activities of any form.

As soon as things normalize, Miñoza, who also has a golf foundation back home bearing his name, is raring to get back to the swing of things and share his expertise with the young golfers.

“This is my own way of giving back to the sport,” said Miñoza, who had played in all but one of the world’s four Majors (US Masters, PGA Championship and British Open).

He also cited the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and ICTSI for the three-category circuit even as he stressed the need to bolster the ladies tour.