Talk of the Asian Amateurs

I just arrived from Singapore, having accompanied our players to the 2011 Asian Amateur Championship, the biggest individual amateur event in the Asia Pacific region. It was held in one of my favorite places where my children spent part of their schooling days.
This prestigious event is held yearly and organized by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, The Masters, and the R&A. Its purpose is to support golf development in the region.
The tournament winner received an invitation to compete in the 2012 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
Together with the runner-up, the winner will be eligible to compete in the International Final Qualifying for the 2012 Open Championship that will be played at Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s Golf Club in England.
The winner also received an invitation to the 2012 Dubai Desert Classic.
This event was broadcast to over 150 countries.
Participation, only upon invitation by the organizing body, is based on the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings of the player throughout the year.
All entries were billeted at a six-star hotel with all expenses paid by the organizing body, including airfares.
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Even though all our players were rookies at this event, most of them performed considerably well.
Clyde Mondilla was our top performer, finishing at even-par after four days. This was the first tournament where Clyde played consistently, shooting 73-73-71-71. His new swing, under the tutelage of Chris Walkey, is definitely reaping rewards.
Art Arbole finished at 2-over-par. He was actually the Philippines’ surprise performer. He was in the top 10 after three days with rounds of 68-72-72 but faltered in the final 18 holes with a 78. With this showing he will be one of our candidates for the national team in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
Most notable among the Filipinos was the youngest and smallest participant in the championship—reigning Philippine Amateur champion and Philippine Amateur Junior winner Rupert Zaragosa, who was in sixth place with a 70-69 in the first two days.
Finishing the tournament tied with Arbole at two over par, Zaragosa was the talk of the tournament. Everybody wanted to see him.
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The tournament also served as a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with the other R&A officials and golf leaders in our region and update them on the status of our golf association.