BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – It’s official: the 75th Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament is pushing through, putting to rest months of speculation about the future of the prestigious event amid the ongoing transition at Camp John Hay.

Concerns over the tournament’s fate surfaced following the government’s January 2025 takeover of Camp John Hay from the Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) after a landmark Supreme Court ruling. 

With management changes at the John Hay Golf Course, many golfers feared the event, the oldest running amateur golf tournament in the Asia-Pacific region, would be affected.

However, on March 5, 2025, key stakeholders signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the John Hay Golf Veranda, cementing their commitment to hosting the tournament late this year. 

The agreement was signed by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Joshua Bingcang, Baguio Country Club (BCC) general manager Anthony De Leon, Golf Plus Management Inc. (GMI) deputy general manager Eduardo “Bong” Arguelles, and John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) president Marlo Quadra.

Strong partnership for historic event

The Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament has been a staple in Baguio’s sporting calendar since 1949, drawing amateur golfers from around the world to play at Baguio Country Club and John Hay Golf Course. 

The 75th edition of the event, also known as its Diamond Anniversary, is expected to host over 1,400 players across both courses.

“We are excited to have the reputably oldest amateur golf tournament in the world, or at least the Asia-Pacific region,” said Arguelles, whose group now oversees John Hay Golf. “We’re ready to welcome golfers from all over to experience the best that Baguio has to offer.”

Bingcang praised the efforts of Golf Plus Management Inc. and DuckWorld Philippines, the consortium managing John Hay Golf, for ensuring that the course remains in top condition.

“For the past two months, you have not only met the requirements of the BCDA, but also exceeded our expectations,” Bingcang said. “Congratulations for keeping and maintaining our golf course to the highest standards.”

A tournament steeped in tradition

BCC’s De Leon emphasized that the Fil-Am’s success has always been driven by institutions rather than individuals.

“The Fil-Am is not about personalities, it’s about the institutions that have been involved with the event,” he said. 

“I’ve dealt with the Americans as far back, and then the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), then the predecessor developer (CJHDevCo), and now you, BCDA, are in partnership with us as well.”

For many golfers, he added, the Fil-Am is considered the “Supreme Court of all golf tournaments” in the country.

“You can play in all the other golf tournaments, but nothing compares to playing in Baguio City, in both courses,” De Leon said.

With legal disputes over Camp John Hay making headlines for years, BCDA chair Atty. Hilario Paredes addressed lingering concerns about the property’s management.

“You’ve been reading the news. It’s known to everyone that there are issues regarding possession of this property,” he said. “And by closing this event, it is my responsibility now to inform everyone that all the issues are now closed.”

He then made the announcement that many in the golfing community had been waiting for.

“The 75th Fil-Am is going to happen! We are going to hold the biggest amateur tournament in the Asia-Pacific region, if not the world.”

With that declaration, the path is clear for yet another historic edition of the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament as Baguio welcomes golfers and visitors for what promises to be a grand and memorable Diamond Anniversary event in the last quarter of 2025. – Rappler.com