THE board meeting was short, almost perfunctory, and when it was over, the fate of four golfers who played in the just-concluded Mango Tee at the Alabang Golf Club, was sealed.
They were declared unworthy first and second place winners of their division and were told to return the trophies which will now be given to the team that placed third and fourth.
Perhaps more important than the disqualification, top officials of the club can say they have restored the integrity of the tournament, punished the wrongdoers and satisfied the clamor of participants who urged them to do something about the blatant manipulation of the handicap system that enabled some players to gain advantage.
READ Alabang Mango Tee winners DQ’d, asked to return trophies
Disqualified were Ronin Leviste and guest partner Darren Flores and LRay Villafuerte and guest partner Edward Francisco, the top two placers, respectively, in the Net Overall category.
They were disqualified, according to the board resolution “due to highly unusual and statistically improbable submitted scores.”
The special board meeting was held late Monday afternoon to address the backlash from Alabang members, tournament participants and golfers from around the country who urged tournament officials to conduct an immediate investigation. Even non-golfers chimed in and ridiculed the organizers for making this happen.
In fairness though, club officials had nothing to do with policing handicaps, this being the sole responsibility of the players who may alter or manipulate their handicaps. In golf, handicaps are the measure of one's golf skill with the low number indicating that the person is a good player.
The protest reached its apex Saturday evening during the awarding ceremony where the gathered players and guests loudly booed when the names of the winners were called.
“We were already aware of the unusual result of the one player’s score and had started asking questions much earlier,” said Sonny Coloma, chairman of the board of the club.
See Alabang board resolution:
The result of the inquiries was then presented to the board where it was assessed and, shortly after, a decision was made.
Before that, the board sent people to ask questions about the character of the players involved. It also sought copies of their scoring record in various clubs to get their playing history. Their caddies were also interviewed.
During the meeting, six members were present, while the other board members were into the discussion by phone and other digital means, in real time. Coloma said the unanimous decision showed the club’s serious intent that it will not allow players to disrespect the tournament and to serve as a warning to others in the future.
While four players were involved, the focus fell on Leviste, who submitted a handicap of 24. That did not raise any red flag as many others played with higher handicaps. But it was another story when his result came in.
He posted a first-round gross score of 80, 8 over par, equivalent to 52 points in Mango Tee’s Stableford scoring system, and 16 under par based on his handicap. That triggered the controversy that made the Mango Tee the talk of the town. Sadly, not in a positive way.
'It raised eyebrows'
Leviste's total was the best net score in the whole tournament. To illustrate how well he played in his first round, his card showed eight pars and two birdies and he had points in every hole.
The board noted this was not how 24 handicappers would play, even on their best days. Also, it can be said that Alabang is not an easy course, especially for amateurs, more so during Mango Tee week where the course is set up differently.
“It raised eyebrows,” said Coloma and it prompted the board to make inquiries.
Coloma also said organizers don’t question the handicaps that players submit. “We trust that this is true, and they are honest,” he said.
In the end, he said, by acting swiftly to resolve the matter they were able to maintain the integrity of the game, the reputation of the club and the respect of members and outsiders.
What the future holds for the two members and the two guests, is unknown and Coloma said, it will be up for the club’s membership committee to determine what other steps to take.
“But I believe the case is not yet closed,” Coloma said.
According to Coloma, Leviste’s membership application is still pending, and he has yet to be completely evaluated by the membership committee.
Leviste, as well as the other players involved, have not publicly commented on the club's decision.
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