Port magnate Ricky Razon, whose passion for golf paved the way for the revival of the local pro circuit through the Philippine Golf Tour, has reaffirmed his commitment to help amateur golf through the ICTSI-The Country Club program under national coach Bong Lopez.

The International Container Terminal Services, Inc. chairman and CEO has also extended his support to the Canlubang golf team, under Tommy Manotoc, which boasts of talented players in reigning national champion Mhark Fernando, Cangolf Am titlist Jhonnel Ababa and former national team mainstay Jerson Balasabas.

The two amateur teams, however, have separate programs under their respective coaches. The ICTSI-Cangolf squad will run its own program and will not be merged with the
ICTSI-TCC team under Lopez, who has been overseeing the training of the men’s and ladies teams, headed by SEA Games gold medalist Chihiro Ikeda, newly crowned Southern Ladies champion Dottie Ardina and Cyna Rodriguez, who recently romped off with the Philippine Ladies Amateur title.

Just recently, Razon, also through the ICTSI, took the initiative to sponsor the junior golf program starting this year with the ICTSI-Jungolf Circuit under Luigi Tabuena, thus covering his support to the sport from the junior ranks to the amateurs to the pros, who are now enjoying a full-calendar of events for the second straight year.

“I always believe Filipino golfers have the talent and skills to make it to the world stage,” said Razon.

“It’s just a matter of giving them the support, providing them international exposure and motivating them. Now, it’s all up to them to excel.”

At the same time, Razon has directed Lopez to continue recruiting players from the countryside to sustain the continued transition of talents following the exodus of some of the team's mainstays to the pro ranks.