ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour Tees Off for Collegiate Golf

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Officials from Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., led by Executive Director Narlene Soriano and General Manager Colo Ventosa, along with Philippine Golf Foundation President Arsenic Laurel, pose with student-athletes from participating schools during the official launch of the inaugural ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour at Solaire Entertainment City on Tuesday.

Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. officials Mohamed Shariz and Colo Ventosa, together with Philippine Golf Foundation’s Cesar Buenaventura and Arsenic Laurel, await the start of the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour launch ceremony at Solaire Entertainment City on Tuesday.

Eleven varsity squads are gearing up for the inaugural ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour, a landmark tournament designed to merge school spirit, athlete development and elite-level golf under one unified platform.

“This is more than collaboration – it’s a shared vision to elevate the sport, nurture talent, and weave golf into the collegiate athletic fabric,” said Arsenic Laurel, president of the Philippine Golf Foundation (PGF), partnering with Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. (PGTI), during the official launch of the event at Solaire Entertainment City Tuesday.

The PGF has long championed intercollegiate golf, fostering discipline, sportsmanship and competition. Meanwhile, PGTI has developed the country’s pro and junior circuits – turning raw talent into champions.

“This tour fills the gap at the college level,” said Colo Ventosa, PGTI general manager. “It offers student-athletes a structured, competitive platform to grow their game while staying in school. Ultimately, we aim to make collegiate golf an official varsity sport and integrate it into leagues like the UAAP and NCAA.”

“Our goal is simple: to establish collegiate golf as a recognized, school-based varsity sport. We want more schools to develop golf programs and eventually integrate the sport into major leagues like the UAAP and NCAA. This tour goes beyond competition – it’s about growth, discipline, and creating opportunities,” she added.

The tour launches on June 16 at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite, with several legs scheduled at the country’s premier championship courses. A stroke-play format will be used, with three-player teams counting the best two scores, plus individual honors up for grabs in both men’s and women’s divisions.

The format rewards consistency and team depth – key to building sustainable collegiate golf programs.

Among the participating schools are college rivals La Salle, Ateneo, College of St. Benilde, La Salle-Dasmariñas, FEATI University, Lyceum, Mapua, National U, UP, UST and University of the Cordilleras.

Team captains have expressed excitement and optimism. Some view the event as a stepping stone to professional golf, while others see it as a chance to gain valuable experience and exposure.

“We expect this to be one of the best collegiate golf events,” said La Salle’s Perry Bucay, crediting ICTSI and PGTI for their organization. “It boosts competition and prepares players for pro-level tournaments. We’re focusing more now on short game and strategy.”

Ateneo’s Paqo Barro highlighted the importance of more tournaments: “It’s exciting to have more events and scrimmages. Everyone is training hard, and we’re eager to see how teams match up.”

UST’s Hero Ang emphasized their long-term preparation: “We’ve been training for two years. The competition will be intense, especially with strong teams like La Salle and Ateneo.”

From College of Saint Benilde, co-captain Sean Granada said: “This is a great opportunity – challenging but fun with many teams involved.”

CSB’s Amiel Tanjuakio added: “We’ve been putting in weekend work both on the range and course. It’s a great platform to showcase skills.”

Mapua’s Edrian Mangabay called the event a milestone: “We’re proud to represent our school for the first time in an official golf tournament. It’s a big step in growing our golf program,” he said.

Feati University’s Samuel King Sagaral, on the other hand, is hopeful for the tour’s continuity: “This gives college players more avenues to pursue their passion. I hope it lasts,” he said.

UP’s Joshua Buenaventura and Emilio Carpio said the tour promotes camaraderie and consistency in college golf: “We practice individually and hold team sessions. Tryouts for new members are also planned,” they said.

From Baguio, UC’s Ranz Louie Balay-odao said: “We’re excited to compete outside our region. It’s a great platform to improve and gain exposure.”

La Salle-Dasmariñas’ Jose Audi Espiritu noted the tour’s broader impact: “It fosters camaraderie and could lead to more Filipino golfers competing abroad,” said Espiritu.

Enderun Colleges’ Kristiana Herrera said it’s about building community: “We’re here for the experience and exposure. Representing Enderun for the first time is already a win,” she said.