FORMER Philippine Junior Golf champion Oliver Gan emerged as the top vote-getter in the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines on Saturday at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmarinas, Cavite.
Gan, former program officer for NCR at the Philippine Sports Institute of the Philippine Sports Commission, received 143 votes as his Team OGAN or Outstanding Golfers Achievement Nationwide took the first eight positions for the 14 elected directors.
See Atthaya Thitikul wins in playoff as Yuka Saso winds up in joint 32nd
The JGFP board is composed of 15 trustees, including the chairman emeritus, which is a permanent position. Gan said the position of chairman emeritus has been scratched although Gerry Handog, formerly chairman emeritus, will be the chairman.
The 15 trustees will elect the JGFP president.
“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, a one time golf advisor at the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) under then chairman Baham Mitra.
“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.
Also earning spots at the JGFP board from Team OGAN are Mariel Macasaet (142), Aurelio Gomez (140), Ely Saludar (138), Baltaire Balanguan (137), Jun Cedo (137), AJ Adivisio (134) and Lue de Guzman (131).

Joining them are from 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.
“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.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph