Castro, Zaragosa book spots to Asian Games
Luis Miguel Castro (second from right) joins NGAP Sec-Gen Bones Floro, national pool members Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus, Tyler Po, Rupert Zaragosa, and Paolo Wong, and NGAP director Boom Coscolluela after the six-round Asian Games qualifiers for men’s category. (Photo courtesy of Charlie Corpus)
by Waylon Galvez
Luis Miguel Castro booked a spot in this year’s Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games in Indonesia after he topped the six-round qualifying tournament conducted recently by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP).
Castro, an incoming college freshman, fired a 3-under 429 as he bested five other members of the national team training pool including Rupert Zaragosa, who took second place with an even par 432.
Castro wouldn’t have done it, however, without the support of newly elected president of the NGAP Martin Lorenzo, whose helicopter made it possible for the young golfer to attend two crucial events in his life.
The chopper fetched the 17-year-old Castro from his high school graduation at Learning Links Academy in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and brought him to the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac for the final round.
“I am grateful to NGAP President Martin Lorenzo and NGAP Secretary-General Bones Floro for allowing me the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Castro, son of former Gilas Pilipinas team manager Aboy Castro.
“I was able to attend my high school graduation in the morning and take a 40-minute helicopter ride to Luisita to play and compete with my fellow national pool members for a slot in the Asian Games team,” said Castro.