2025 JCI Manila SIGI Ryder Cup: Team LST Claims Glory in a Tournament of Grit, Gamesmanship, and Golfing Brotherhood

Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, May 8, 2025 — The fairways echoed with cheers, laughter, and the satisfying thwack of well-struck shots as the 2025 JCI Manila SIGI Ryder Cup came to a thrilling conclusion. After four unforgettable legs of competition, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of competitive banter, Team LST— led by Team Owners Anton Laborte, David Sison, and Francis Talion—claimed the coveted championship, etching their names into JCI Manila golfing lore.

The action teed off on March 31 and April 1 at Pradera Verde Golf Club, where Legs 1 and 2 treated players to two challenging courses and perfect weather. From the start, rivalries flared, friendships were tested (and strengthened), and the leaderboard began to take shape.

Leg 3 upped the ante at the picturesque yet punishing Ayala Greenfield Golf and Leisure Club, where swirling winds and lightning-fast greens kept even the most seasoned players on their toes. But as always in Ryder Cup tradition, every stroke was matched by stories, smiles, and spirited sideline banter.

Then came the final showdown at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s West Course on May 8. By 6:00 AM, the energy was electric at Westside Grill, where players fueled up on Hackensack sliders before heading out for the all-important final leg. At 8:00 AM, the shotgun start signaled the last battle, and the field scattered across the iconic course, determined to leave it all on the grass.

What makes the JCI Manila SIGI Ryder Cup special isn’t just the tight competition—though there was plenty of that—it’s the community. From team owners and captains rallying their squads, to committee members executing every detail with military precision, to players exchanging playful jabs and hyping each other up, the tournament became a living, breathing celebration of JCI spirit.

Spearheaded under the Membership Welfare Directorate, led by Director Nico Sevilla, this year’s Ryder Cup exemplified what the directorate stands for: strengthening bonds, promoting health and wellness, and creating lasting memories through meaningful member engagement. With golf as the medium and camaraderie as the goal, the event hit every fairway on the path to member wellness.

Behind the scenes, the 2025 Ryder Cup Committee, under the capable leadership of Chairman Quino Baterna, worked tirelessly to deliver a world-class experience. Every putt, every pairing, every post-round gathering was a testament to months of preparation and passion. In every leg of the tournament, sponsor 1Life went beyond the greens by conducting free medical missions—offering health checkups and consultations to golf course employees, especially the hardworking caddies. This vital community outreach was one of the committee’s top priorities, underscoring the event’s commitment not only to competition but to giving back to those who make the game possible.

After the final putts dropped, it was time to trade golf carts for bar stools at Matchpoint Sports Bar at SM Cherry Shaw, just five minutes from the course. Players and supporters gathered for snacks at 3:00 PM, followed by a lively program and dinner buffet at 5:00 PM, complete with major raffle prizes and, of course, the long-awaited awarding ceremony.

And when Team LST took the stage, they weren’t just holding trophies—they were holding a legacy built over months of dedication, teamwork, and fearless play.
The 2025 JCI Manila SIGI Ryder Cup reminded everyone that while golf is an individual sport, the Ryder Cup makes it something more: a team triumph, a celebration of brotherhood, and a weekend escape where leaders trade boardrooms for birdies and build bonds that go well beyond the 18th hole.
So here’s to every bunker save, every clutch putt, and every laugh shared in the spirit of the game. Until next year, JCI Manila—keep swinging.

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