The National Tournament of Club Champions (NTCC) at Eagle Ridge is no longer just about swinging clubs and sinking putts—it’s become a full-blown survival challenge. After a breezy start on the Dye layout, the tournament is heading into a punishing 36-hole Friday schedule that will test even the most seasoned players.
Roy Nudalo, the men’s top seed, Matet Salivio, the women’s favorite, and senior leader Kyung Young-jung all cruised through their opening rounds on Thursday, barely breaking a sweat as they played a combined 36 holes to advance. But the reality of tournament golf is about to shift from a sprint into a marathon, with the venue moving to the Aoki course for the next set of knockout matches.
“Imagine this kind of heat and the pressure we will all be playing with,” says Gary Sales. “It’s going to be a very tough day for everyone.” The heat at Eagle Ridge is legendary, and players aren't just fighting their opponents—they’re fighting the humidity and the fading stamina of their own bodies. Defending men’s champion Gary Sales, who is 43 years old, caught a lucky break when his scheduled opponent, Justin Tambunting, failed to show up for their first-round duel. Sales is currently aiming for a back-to-back title, which would mark his fourth championship overall.
In other highlights, Chris Tan of Apo Golf pulled off the comeback of the day. He was trailing CJ Park of Forest Hills by four holes with only six left to play, but he managed a 1-up victory. Tan remains the only player from a provincial club still standing in the field, earning him a high-stakes showdown against Southwoods champion Manfred Guanko.
Roy Nudalo looked clinical in his 6&4 victory over Genard Villalon, while Matet Salivio dominated Royal Northwoods representative Razel Standal, finishing with a lopsided 7&6 score. Kyung Young-jung was even more surgical, clearing out Raffy Sempio with a commanding 9&8 result. These margins of victory suggest that while the field is elite, the gap between the top seeds and the rest is wide enough to drive a golf cart through.
The draw for Friday includes a fascinating clash between second-seeded Jonar Austria and fourth-seeded Henry Bolano. Austria had a smooth path to this stage, dispatching Norman dela Peña 7&5, while Bolano worked harder to secure his 4&3 win over Ricky delos Santos of Veterans. The victor of the Austria-Bolano match will go on to meet the winner of the duel between Gary Sales and Chuchu Martinez, the latter being an ex-pro who dismantled Jay Laurel of Tagaytay Midland 7&5.
On the women’s side, Matet Salivio faces another stern test against Marianne Bustos, who advanced after beating Annika Cruz 4&2. The winner of that match will face whoever triumphs between Marianna Reyes and Ae Roh-kyung. With the tournament structure now fully in the knockout stage, there is absolutely zero room for error. One bad hole or one moment of fatigue in the afternoon heat could end a campaign that has taken months of preparation to build.
The men’s field is currently being winnowed down by the intense 36-hole requirement on Friday, which acts as a filter for the most physically prepared athletes. This challenging schedule will push even the most seasoned players to their limits.
Matet Salivio remains the standout candidate for the women’s title as she seeks to bolster her already impressive trophy cabinet with a fourth NTCC win. Her dominance on the course is undeniable, and she's a name to watch for in Friday's matches.
The contrast between lopsided results—like Kyung Young-jung’s 9&8 demolition—and tight affairs like Chris Tan’s comeback highlights the unpredictable nature of match play. The Aoki course will undoubtedly bring new challenges to the survivors, requiring quick adjustments to different bunker placements and green speeds compared to the initial Dye layout.
With the tournament presented by Lexus, the level of organizational scrutiny and prestige is at its peak, forcing players to maintain high focus levels throughout the day. The stakes are high, and the players can expect nothing but a tough and competitive environment.