JGFP Gan and the other newly-elected JGFP officials.

Gan welcomes election to JGFP board

September 25, 2022 Ed Andaya 633 views

HERE’S good news to junior golf in the country.

Former Philippine Junior Golf champion Oliver Gan emerged as the top vote-getter following the long-delayed election of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) last Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Gan, who also served as golf consultant of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) during the time of Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, received the highest votes during the election with 143.
His Team OGAN or Outstanding Golfers Achievement Nationwide also took the first eight positions in the 15-member board.

“We’re very happy with the results of course, but now it’s time to work. There is much work to be done at the JGFP,” said Gan, who also served as program officer for NCR at the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) — a branch of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“We fully understand that it’s an uphill challenge with the new board of directors, particularly for the incoming president which the board will elect. But we are up to the challenge, and as I’ve mentioned, we want change and improvement. That’s what we intend to do,” he added.

The JGFP board is composed of 15 trustees, including the chairman emeritus, which is a permanent position.

The 15 trustees will elect the JGFP president.

“I congratulate the newly elected officers. I will make sure that we will all work for the good of the junior golfers,” said JGFP chairman emeritus Gerry Handog.

Gan has been vocal in his bid to lead the JGFP.

Also elected to the JGFP board from Team OGAN are Mariel Macasaet (142 votes), Aurelio Gomez (140), Ely Saludar (138), Baltaire Balanguan (137), Jun Cedo (137), AJ Adivisio (134) and Lue de Guzman (131).

Joining them are Team PLAY of former JGFP chief Nicky Ng, including Charlie Go (110), Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos (106), Victor Aliwas (100), Mark Roasca (100) and Marc Young (99).

Ng failed to accumulate enough votes (91) to keep her position in the JGFP board.

Gan has said that the main reason he decided to seek a position in the JGFP board is his desire to give back to golf and help in the development of the junior golfers in the country.

“We want to help and we also want to improve the quality (of junior golf) so we can produce junior golfers who can compete for titles in international events,” said Gan, whose support system during the proxy voting is led by his wife Han Gaisano Gan.

AUTHOR PROFILE