Cover What is the future of golf? NGAP’s Myka Romulo shares insights
What is the future of golf? NGAP’s Myka Romulo shares insights
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Myka Romulo of the National Golf Association of the Philipines shares her vision for inclusive golf
They say golf is a rich man’s sport. Expensive equipment, uniforms, course fees, and memberships create barriers to entry, while country clubs can appear self-selecting and potentially discriminatory. However, Myka Romulo, executive director of the National Golf Association of the Philippines, believes golf holds the promise of inclusivity and can bring diverse communities together.
In sports, certain games carry more than just physical prowess; they become canvases for lessons in patience, avenues for social connection, and platforms for empowerment. As players enter a golf course, time slows, conversations flow freely, and barriers can slowly break. Romulo’s experiences mirror this sentiment, whose mission transcends the boundaries of the sport itself. With a heart set on reshaping perceptions and paving the way for inclusivity, she stands at the forefront of a movement within the golfing community, challenging stereotypes and championing equity.
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“There’s this precedent that golf is not a welcoming sport,” she starts. “Common beliefs dictate it’s only membership base, and you need to be rich. ‘If you don’t have your parents’ money, there’s no way you’ll make your way into it,’ they say. But most of it is just perception.”
When Romulo first started working in the industry, she saw facilities available to the public. The government is vetting some programmes under the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, the local subsidiary of the International Olympic Committee.
Above Myka Romulo of the National Golf Association of the Philippines
Myka Romulo of the National Golf Association of the Philippines
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“I’m not turning a blind eye to the fact that there are a lot of facilities in at least the Metro Manila region that are exclusive. But there is also a large chunk—I would say, more than 50 per cent of the facilities in Metro Manila—that are open for public use,” she says.
Romulo emphasises that golf is a sport for everyone, regardless of skill level or gender. “You don’t need to be good at golf; you just have to be willing to try,” she says.
It helps that golf has a handicap system, which aims to represent a golfer’s ability based on their previous scores and compare their performances with other players. Even if you’re around 70 years old, through the handicap, you can play against someone like a 16-year-old who is playing golf casually. However, if you are playing tennis and are on the older side in terms of age or if you have had an injury, you probably can’t win against somebody like a 16-year-old at the peak of their physique. “With golf, there are a lot of measures that have been put into place to level the playing field,” she says. Anyone can play the sport—it’s just a matter of being willing to try.
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Above Myka Romulo at the 151st The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, England
Myka Romulo at the 151st The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, England
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Above Myka Romulo with Reese Ng and Gabie Rosca (National Team Players) at the inauguration of the NGAP’s Ready, Set, Golf programme
Above Ribbon cutting of the NGAP’s Ready, Set, Golf programme
Myka Romulo with Reese Ng and Gabie Rosca (National Team Players) at the inauguration of the NGAP’s Ready, Set, Golf programme
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One of the programmes Romulo spearheads is Ready, Set, Golf, which has given free golf instruction to mothers and their beginner golfer children since its launch in October 2023. It’s 100 per cent free for mothers and their kids, complete with free coaching, equipment, and a driving range.
“It’s not just one session; it’s a whole programme with four sessions that last one-and-a-half hours each,” she explains. Their goal isn’t just to introduce the game but for their participants to develop and dress for it. “We’ve gone that extra mile to make it a whole four-session programme so that there’s longevity and sustainability.” Because it’s catered towards mothers and their children, she hopes that a strengthened familial bond ends up resonating within them as well.
As for the future of the sport, Romulo dreams for a Filipino golfer to win in the Olympics. “There’s no denying that the Olympic Games are the pinnacle of sport,” she says. “Winning there will tell us that in terms of skill, we’re on par with the rest of the world.” It can also bring attention to golf, like when Hidilyn Diaz won in 2020, and many women started weightlifting. It is a beacon of hope for many females, taking up the sport competitively and making a living out of it.
Above Myka Romulo with National Team Players Nicole Abelar, Rianne Malixi, Grace Quintanilla, Anya Cedo, Ally Gaccion, and National Team Strength & Conditioning Coach Niccole Aguirre at the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific held at the Waterside Course at the Siam Country Club, Thailand
Above Myka Romulo with Philippine team Players Junia Gabasa, Rianne Malixi, and Grace Quintanilla for the presentation of the Espirito Santo Trophy for the 2023 WATC
Myka Romulo with National Team Players Nicole Abelar, Rianne Malixi, Grace Quintanilla, Anya Cedo, Ally Gaccion, and National Team Strength & Conditioning Coach Niccole Aguirre at the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific held at the Waterside Course at the Siam Country Club, Thailand
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“I also hope to bring more equity into the sport,” she says. Equity for women and equity for people from humble backgrounds are the types of things that she hopes she can achieve for the sport.
Ultimately, Romulo believes that by raising awareness and garnering support, golf can become more equitable and inclusive, providing opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to participate and thrive. “Hopefully, all the programmes can match up with the storytelling one of these days. It’s one thing to be doing all these things, but it doesn’t pick up momentum if people don't know. Once the attention is there, the funding comes in, the support comes in, the participation comes in, and ultimately levels the playing field.” With this level of drive and mindset, Romulo’s vision of a more inclusive golfing community may soon become a reality.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
