About PGAP
The Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PGAP) is the association of professional golfers recognized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), Department of Tourism (DoT), National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), The Professional Golf Association of America (PGA).
The PGAP was founded in early 1963 and incorporated in 1966 and formally registered with the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Its first president was the outstanding Filipino professional of the era, the late Ben Arda of Cebu. The pioneers of professional golfers, mostly coming from the caddie ranks played in the highly popular Philippine Golf Circuit backed by the San Miguel Corporation. From whence our professionals took on the other Asian stars in the Asia Golf Circuit of the 70’s to 80’s and the Japan Tour and excelled. The PGAP played on the Philip Morris Golf Circuit of the 80’s to 90’s. The short-lived Ericson Golf Tour followed. A brief witness the First Gentlemen’s Golf Tour appearance in year 2001 courtesy of Atty. Mike Arroyo which took our Pro’s nationwide to display their skills.
PGA of the Philippines is a membership association for professional golfers in Asia, with the majority coming from the Philippines and a few from Japan, South Korea and Singapore. It has grown significantly and now includes over 1,000 male and female professional golfers, as well as Touring, Teaching and Senior Pros.
Former Officers/ Commissioner
BEN ARDA – first PGAP president; first Filipino to qualify for the Masters Tournament and The Open Championship. He won nine (9) tournaments on the Asia Golf Circuit, including the Philippine Open three (3) times, and headed the points list in 1970. He also won four (4) times on the Japan Golf Tour and played in the World Cup 16 times.
BENJAMIN S. ABALLOS SR. – PGAP Commissioner; with humble beginning work as caddy at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club to support himself in college. He became a Politician, Chairman of MMDA and COMELEC.
2024-2027 Board of Directors / Officers
JOHNEL R. BULAWIT - President; Touring Pro
BENJAMIN MAGADA - Vice President; Senior Touring Pro
JOENARD RATES - Corporate Secretary; Touring Pro
ROLANDO MARABE JR - Treasurer; Touring Pro
DINO VILLANUEVA - Auditor; Touring Pro
ARNOLD VILLACENCIO - Touring Chairperson; Touring Pro
IGMEDIO ABSALON JR - Teaching Chairperson; Teaching Pro
RODOLFO CUELLO JR - Senior Chairperson; Senior Touring Pro
CARLOS ALFONSO PACKING - Marketing; Touring Pro
ELISA A. VILLALBA - Executive Secretary; Pro Golf Promoter
2024-2025 Consultants
ATTY. ROMEO FRANCISCO - Adviser / Legal Consultant
USEC ESNAEN CATONG - Chair Rules & Amendments
AMOS KAI - Sponsors Consultant
RAYMOND BUNQUIN - Consultant
GEORGE PUNASEN - Sponsors Consultant