Enrique Dimayuga launches his bid in the England Men’s Open Amateur stroke play championship, also known as the Brabazon Trophy, at the Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire, United Kingdom on Thursday.
The 21-year-old Filipino-Briton will be making his first tournament appearance after placing fifth in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this month.
He qualified for the prestigious event by tying for first place in the regional qualifiers last week, shooting a two-under-par 70.
“Enrique arrived from Cambodia two days before the tournament, played a practice round and tied for first the next day,” said Henry, Dimayuga’s father.
It will mark only the second time Dimayuga is playing in the annual event organized by England Golf. In 2021, he placed fifth.
Henry disclosed that Enrique has changed his golf representation to the Philippines.
“He’s gonna lose his funding from England Golf,” he lamented.
Enrique has been getting subsidies from England Golf, and some government and regional organizations, according to Henry.
“It is not good if I ask them to continue supporting Enrique when he now plays for the Philippines,” Henry said.
Aside from the Barbazon Trophy, Enrique is set to play in four other international events.
These are the Scottish Men’s Open set for 2 to 4 June, the St. Andrew’s Links Trophy on 9 to 11 June, The Amateur Championships on 19 to 24 June and the European Amateur Championship in Estonia from 28 June to 1 July.
Henry, who works as a CAD design technician, said he and his wife Gloria, a nurse, are bankrolling Enrique’s five tournaments.
Enrique’s father is hoping to secure sponsorships so his eldest son can continue to pursue his dreams.
The younger Dimayuga is set to fly back to the United States after the European Championship to resume his studies at the University of Arkansas where is set to graduate in December.
Henry said Enrique plans to pursue his master’s degree after his graduation.
