Orani, Bataan-—World-class amateur golfer Antonio “Tonito” Payumo, son of former SBMA chairman Tong Payumo, said Central Luzon is very capable of hosting the next World Amateur Golfers Championship.
“We have here in Bataan the Anvaya Golf Course; in Lubao we have the Pradera Verde Golf Course; Mimosa Golf Course in Clark, Pampanga; and Luisita Golf Course in Tarlac. So, Central Luzon can host the next World Amateur Golfers Championship,” the young Payumo told media men, who covered recently the opening of the third swimming pool at the Sinagatala Resort and Adventure Park in Barangay Tala in this town.
“Access is easy because we have Clark International Airport and good roads like SCTEx,” added Payumo, who placed 2nd runnerup in this year’s World Amateur Golfers Championship and Invitational 2018 held in Johor, Malaysia.
“I think our golf courses here are even better than in Johor’s,” he added. “Many people from other countries will come here due to the prestigious golf event and that would be good for our tourism and economy.”
“The National Golf Association of the Philippines and concerned government agencies like the Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Tourism can work this out to become a reality,” he said.
Payumo also expressed delight on the plan of SBMA Chairman Amy Eisma to promote golf tourism inside the freeport zone and neighboring areas. SBMA will open a golf course this month.
