The National Golf Association of the Philippines has given businessman Martin Lorenzo a fresh, two-year term on Friday in an election held at the Alabang Country Club.
And right off the bat, Lorenzo said he’s willing to join forces with former congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo who was tipped to challenge him for the presidency until dozens of proxy votes — supposedly for the latter — was deemed ineligible.
“I’m humbled by all the votes. I look forward to working again,” Lorenzo told Tribune Golf.
“And I really look forward to also working with jungolf (junior golf) and Mikey Arroyo in jungolf which is the grassroots and core of the golf. There just so much to do.”
Lorenzo’s top priority is to develop golf grassroots which should be easy for them given the array of talents coming from the junior circuits like the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, Junior Pilipinas Golf Tour and NGAP’s own junior arm.
“No. 2 is to settle and work together with Silicon on those past issues,” said Lorenzo, referring to the handicap system provider which was let go after 10 years.
Lorenzo didn’t explain how he will handle the protracted issue because NGAP has already tapped a foreign firm to handle the handicapping system.
“And No. 3 (priority) is to develop more champions for the future. Golf has gotten so big that there’s a lot of work to do now.”
Lorenzo said they are also working to revive the mothballed Philippine Open which might be held “first quarter of next year.”
Immediately after the elections of the 11 board members, the winning candidates elected Lorenzo as president, Al Panlilio as chairman, Leana Carmona as vice president, Rafael Perez de Tagle as treasurer and Jose Amado Angeles as auditor.
Bones Floro was appointed once again as secretary general and was approved right away by the board.
