For the last three years, Filipino golfers in Alberta have successfully organized a Ryders Cup-style tournament at the JR golf course.

But even before that Jun Rocha, the lead organizer, and his friends have formed Team Birdies of Edmonton and Team Eagles of Calgary and during the golf season, they would compete against each other and vie for the trophies at stake.

“We named it Challenge Cup,” he said.

When he met Ernie Tan, who is working part-time at the JR golf club, they decided to hold a Seniors Tournament and both started spreading the word to fellow Filipino seniors that golf is actually a good exercise for them.

Rocha, who immigrated to Canada in 1990, said they are lucky to meet Ernie because they can easily organize a tournament for the seniors with his help. For this year, they were able to organize six tournaments at JR.

Why at JR?, I asked. He said that the club offers cheaper fees compared to the other golf clubs. And a Filipino senior, who relies on his pension, can afford the fees. He is happy to say that they have 68 and 69 year old golfers who have enjoyed playing the sport and have steadily improved their scores through the years.

“Dumami na rin ang senior golfers,” said Rocha, a native of Sucat. “Ang importante, mag enjoy tayo,” he added.
The JR Team led by Rocha and Ernie won the Challenge Cup in 2016 and 2017 and for this year, last October 6, the Birdies Team headed by Sonny Sison snatched the trophy from the hosts.

I was really happy to know that our Filipino seniors are very active in this sport. I’m not a senior yet but when the time comes, I look forward to playing this beautiful sport and probably by that time, it’s going to be one of the biggest tournaments in the Filipino community.

Thank you to Joey Mirones, who himself has become addicted to the sport, for facilitating my interview with Kuya Jun Rocha.