Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club kicked off its activities for its silver anniversary with the staging of the first Founders Cup held at the Legends course.
The Founders Cup was organized to honor the members who bought their shares on or before Manila Southwoods opened in 1992 and have remained loyal ever since.
The Board of Directors, led by chairman Robert John Sobrepena, personally thanked the members and long-time partners for their loyalty and support the last 25 years.
“I can’t thank you enough. It’s been challenging but we always managed to come up with a lot of programs that led to our various achievements,” he said.
After its grand opening of the Jack Nicklaus-designed signature layout Masters and Legends course, Southwoods made an impact in Philippine Golf.
A shoot-out happened between ’92 US Open champ Tom Kite and John Daly was held in 1992 then a year later, Jack and Jackie Nicklaus held an exhibition at the Masters.
Four years later, the World Amateur Golf Team Championships was held followed by three Philippine Opens, Asia’s oldest and most prestigious national open.
In 2012, Southwoods achieved another milestone when it partnered with Asian Tour for the Resorts World Manila Masters, the richest pro event with $1-M pot each year.
Also, true to its mission to help young and promising golfers, it has established a junior program that has been successful in nearly a decade.
Just recently, it conquered the PAL Interclub for its third straight crown and is likewise the reigning champion in the Fil-Am Golf.
In all, the club has received 19 different awards from 1999 to the present by various world-renowned organizations here and abroad and international magazines.
For its corporate social responsibility, Southwoods conducts medical missions, assisting nearby barangays and has been helping out deserving students through scholarships.
Before the opening of classes for 2017-2018, Southwoods will donate classrooms to Cabilang Baybay, the barangay closest to the golf club.
“We won’t achieve these all if not for your efforts you have given us. We promise to continue and enhance and plan for bigger things in the next 25,” Sobrepena added.
Next month, Southwoods is hosting the Invitational, the club’s member-guest affair from April 19 to 22.
Meanwhile, Raul Olea, a 7-handicapper, captured the Class A crown with 43 points while Board Member Paco Gonzalez fired a 42 and triumphed in Class B.
Ricardo Bernabe Jr. and Rey Mendoza each had 44 points at the lengthy Legends layout but Bernabe, because of one birdie, won via count back over Mendoza in Class C.