FORMER Philippine Junior Golf champion Oliver Gan is hoping to pay it forward once he gets elected as head of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP).

Gan, who is running under the team of Outstanding Golfers Achievement Nationwide (OGAN), plans to help in the development of junior golf in the country.

“We want to help and we also want to improve the quality so we can produce junior golfers who can compete for titles in international events,” said Gan in explaining his decision to seek a position in the JGFP board.

A former adviser for golf of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) under then Chairman Abraham ”Baham” Mitra, Gan said his team composed of Jun Cedo, Mariel Macasaet, Baltaire Balanguan, AJ Adivisio, Aurelio Gomez, Ely Saludar and Lue de Guzman., is committed to producing more outstanding junior golfers in various international competitions.

“By having this election finally this year, the young golfers – as well as their parents – they’re the champions already because whoever wins we all know that there will be a program for the JGFP,” added Gan, who also served as program officer for NCR at the Philippine Sports Institute — a branch of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Gan, who recently organized the OGAN Junior Golf Fellowship Invitations at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite, said the proxy voting already started last Sept. 4.

The final onsite voting and counting ballots is set on Sept. 24 at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Gan and his seven-man group composed of well-known golf personalities is up against the team headed by incumbent JGFP president Nikki Ng.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya