CONSUMMATE golfer Richie Garcia has been a regular fixture of the Philippine Airlines Interclub and could not remember missing the tournament even just once for the past 30 years.
“Every year I make it a point to participate, I cannot remember a year na hindi ako nakasali,” said Garcia who was part of Luisita’s victorious runs in the Championship Division in the 1990s and later on in the Seniors’ Division in 2000 onwards.
Garcia played for various teams in the Interclub. Aside from Luisita Golf Club, he also played for Marapara (now known as Negros Golf and Country Club), Bacolod Golf, Sta. Elena and currently the Manila Golf Club, where he’s a member for four years now.
“Dati dalawang team lang ang dominating. First it was Luisita, then Canlubang when it started forming formidable teams,” Garcia said.
He reminisced his days in Luisita, where he played alongside contemporaries Francis Gaston, Iggie Clavecilla, Minying Maravilla, Allan Gaston, Raul Gamban, Alex Montelibano and even former multi-awarded Cassius Casas, to name a few.
It used to be that only one golf club plays host to the annual golfing tradition.
“Ngayon dalawa nang golf clubs ang host kasi marami nang kasali, lumaki na talaga,” said Garcia, referring to the tournament which is celebrating its 70th year. “It has always been a tradition for us to play here. And I don’t see myself stopping in the near future.”
Recently retired from government service as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, Garcia said he now appreciates the real essence of retirement as he gets to enjoy spending more time now with his grandchildren and playing golf.
He plays in the Aviator Division for the Manila Golf that is running third behind Sherwood, Lumbia and Alta Vista after three rounds at the Apo Golf and Country Club and at the Palos Verdes courses.
Today’s final round will be played at the dreaded, tree-lined layouts of Apo Golf, with Garcia’s Manila Golf team hoping to overtake Alta Vista, which leads by only one (280-279), for third place.