PERCHED HIGH above the plethora of elitist rich man pastimes is a sport which many have heard of, but few have truly come to appreciate. Its tournaments are often cluttered with the social and financial elite, as it is, without a doubt, the sport of the wealthy.
Golf is often overlooked by much of the youth, and sadly, it is only appreciated when youth has passed. However, in the Ateneo, this trend is breaking.
Infant Sport
There is no denying that the Ateneo continually pushes to strive for excellence. Its trophy rooms are stacked with gold medals and titles hung proudly above pictures of basketball players, footballers, judokas—and now, with a new twist, golfers.
Having placed first in the collegiate division of the Samsung Interscholastic Golf Tournament last June, Ateneo Golf has readily placed itself as one of the top collegiate teams in the country.
“Collegiate golf is a young competitive sport in the Philippines. It’s only been going on for the last seven years. There haven’t been many tournaments in the past years. Only recently did they introduce the national intercollegiate tournament,” said team co-captain Gabe Villareal.
Golf may be a fledgling sport in terms of its newly found collegiate fanfare. However, despite its infancy in the college competition scene, it has still managed to garner a significant player base from open tryouts.
Learning from the best
According to Kirby Lachica, also a Blue Golfer co-captain and promising forerunner for the Blue Golfers’ upcoming tournaments, golf is more than just a game.
“Golf teaches you how to handle things under pressure. It’s a sport where you get to know yourself better, get to know your personality,” said Lachica, smiling and enthusiastic to get the word out on the sport he has grown to love.
Lachica, like most of Ateneo’s athletes, has been practicing his sport since childhood. It also seems as if golf is in his blood; his older brother, Kevin, is one of the country’s top amateur players, having bested over 40 different amateur golfers in the recent Tito Boy’s Trophy Tournament held at the Wack-Wack Country Club.
In fact, on top of being one of the county’s top amateurs, Kevin Lachica is also the coach and driving force behind Ateneo Golf.
“Our coaches are very experienced in the sport, as they have represented the country in countless tournaments around the world,” remarked Villareal. “They drive us hard and with good intentions. They ensure that each person on the team feels at home, and each one of us comes to practice.”
More than a game
Despite being such a young team, Ateneo Golf has claimed much success. Like any other successful team, at their core is a trait so Loyolan in spirit and Atenean at heart—passion.
Its team members are adamant and proud to call each other family, a term both Lachica and Villareal repeatedly employed during their interviews. Beyond anything else, the spirit of the Blue Golfers is succinctly captured in Villareal’s closing words.
“Golf is a sport that I have grown to love. Ateneo is the school I have grown to cherish. After spending almost 17 years in both, I must say that they have been integral parts in forming who I am today. Juggling golf and an Ateneo education has been a fruitful and irreplaceable part of my life.”
Indeed, their passion makes it more than just a game.
