Two UA&P alumni are helping shape the future of Philippine golf. Kevin Tan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Global Group, Inc., and Atty. Philip Yeung, President of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and co-founder of Villaroman Golf Academy (VGA), together with renowned golf coach Carito Villaroman, founder and CEO of VGA, are teaming up to develop a world-class golf training facility at Megaworld’s Maple Grove township in General Trias, Cavite.
The 2.7-hectare facility will feature a 50-bay driving range, short-game facilities, golf simulators, practice areas, a golf-specific gym, pickleball courts, sports retail, dining, and other lifestyle amenities.
But more than a driving range, the project aims to help raise the next generation of Filipino golfers.
A partnership built on sport and education
The partnership builds on the relationship between UA&P and Villaroman Golf Academy.
UA&P has integrated golf into its Physical Education program, becoming the first university in the Philippines to do so in 2025, with VGA providing coaching and training expertise. The program reflects the University’s belief that sport can help form not only athletes, but also individuals of character—developing qualities such as integrity, patience, focus, discipline, and perseverance.
The University is taking this commitment further. UA&P President Philip Yeung recently revealed that the University now offers a bespoke educational program for high-level athletes, allowing them to pursue a UA&P education while accommodating the demands of a rigorous training and competition schedule.
The program is designed to give elite athletes greater flexibility in managing their academic requirements alongside intensive training, travel, and competition—allowing them to pursue excellence in both sport and education.
The initiative reflects UA&P’s belief that young athletes should not have to choose between developing their athletic potential and receiving a quality university education.
Coach Carito Villaroman’s legacy
At the center of the project is Coach Carito Villaroman, a former touring professional who has spent decades developing Filipino golfers.
Villaroman’s coaching career includes working with some of the Philippines’ most accomplished golfers, including Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan, who were part of the Philippine team that won the women’s team gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
Villaroman has worked with many other Filipino golfers who have gone on to compete at high levels, building a coaching legacy centered on developing players from their formative years.
His experience gives VGA a strong foundation for creating a structured pathway for the next generation of Filipino golfers.
Raising the next generation
The Maple Grove facility is envisioned as a comprehensive training environment that can support golfers at different stages of their development—from beginners discovering the sport to competitive athletes preparing for national and international competition.
Training will cover the full range of what it takes to become a better golfer: full-swing development, short-game skills, physical conditioning, technology, and performance preparation.
The facility’s dedicated short-game area will allow players to work on an aspect of golf that is critical to competitive performance but often difficult to practice properly. Golf simulators and other technology will complement traditional practice, while the facility’s gym will support the physical demands of high-level play.
VGA will offer structured programs for beginners, enthusiasts, and competitive golfers, expanding access to quality coaching and facilities.
For VGA, the project is ultimately about giving young golfers a place to discover the game, develop discipline and confidence, and pursue opportunities in junior, collegiate, national, professional, and international competition.