STA. ROSA, Laguna – Arnold Villacencio, on the verge of bowing out of the tournament, got a timely pep talk from daughter Gretchen.
In a storybook turnaround, the 55-year-old veteran outclassed Albin Engino, 4&3, to seize the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational crown at the TCC course a day after being talked out of quitting the tournament by his daughter.
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In a final matchup no one anticipated, Villacencio overcame exhaustion to claim an improbable victory. After a tentative front nine, he surged ahead 3-up at the 13th hole before sealing the win on the next.
The triumph ended a decade-long title drought for Villacencio, who could hardly believe his achievement.
“Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ako ang nanalo,” said Villacencio. “Pero bilib pa rin ako sa sarili ko – ako ang pinakamatanda dito, pero natalo ko ang mga mas bata. Siyempre, sa tulong na rin ni Lord."
The weather added to the drama. While the final round was played under cooler conditions, the first three days were defined by punishing heat that almost forced Villacencio to withdraw from Thursday’s semifinal against teen Hyun Ho Rho.
Trailing by three holes midway through that match, a drained Villacencio staged a gritty comeback to secure a 2-up victory after his daughter convinced him to fight on.
“Nagpapasalamat din ako sa anak ko. Kasi sa semis, gusto ko ng umayaw sa pagod, pero sabi nya, ‘lumaban ka, tapusin mo ang laban,’" said Villacencio of Gretchen, who reminded him of his chances even in the most difficult moments.
Engino, meanwhile, had also pulled off an upset in the semis, edging past the favored Jay Bayron, 1-up.
The win, worth P280,000, capped off a remarkable season-ending championship sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. reaffirming Villacencio’s place among the sport’s most resilient competitors.
Engino pocketed P200,000, while Bayron outlasted Rho, 3&1, for third place worth P150,000, with the Korean settling for P120,000 fourth place prize.
Villacencio’s victory also capped the PGT’s most unpredictable season, where different winners emerged across all 10 stroke-play legs, highlighting the depth of competition.
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