The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippine Golf Convention (Golfcon) 2026 was a big success as thousands of golf enthusiasts, operators of golf clubs in the country, and golf product exhibitors converge in a 3-day gathering last March 14-16 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.
GolfCon 2026 featured the latest releases in clubs, apparel and accessories from brands represented by J-Ten Sports, Icon Sports, PacSports, Golf Depot, Transview and Dynamic Sports. Visitors were also able to try new swing-analysis technology from TrackMan, including biomechanics integration and three-dimensional motion analysis recently unveiled at the PGA Show in Orlando.
Exhibitors also offered discounted prices on clubs, bags, balls, apparel and accessories, alongside swing-analysis booths where players assessed their technique to improve performance and lower handicaps. Simulated golf activities, seminars on golf education and etiquette, and other interactive features were also made available.
“We invited not just golfers but non-golfers as well. We introduced participants to coaches and golf courses where you can play,” said Jesse Guerrero, the head organizer of the event, adding that they also “attracted professional and amateur golfers as well as newcomers, as organizers seek to broaden the sport’s reach and strengthen the local golf industry.”
The Department of Tourism primarily supported GolfCon 2026 as it forms part of the government’s broader push to expand sports tourism under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s drive to develop niche tourism markets.
“The industry will feel the government’s support, not only for tourism but for the whole golf industry. We see golf tourism as a growing product for the Philippines,” said Lyle Fernando Uy, the director for golf tourism and special projects of the DOT. Uy added that several golf courses nationwide were represented at the convention, including venues in Dakak, Liloan and Davao, as operators promote the Philippines as a destination for international-standard championships.
The final day of the event also saw the awarding of winners in the tournament dubbed as the GolfCon Philippine Invitational, a 2-day tournament las March 12-13 at the historic Intramuros Golf Course in Manila.
For his part, Guerrero added that golf remains one of the strongest drivers of year-round sports tourism in the country, citing major tournaments that draw overseas Filipinos and foreign players, including the Fil-Am Invitational, the PAL Interclub and the World Amateur Golfers Championship. The World Amateur Golfers Championship finals are set to be held at CalirayaSprings in Laguna after previous editions in Cebu, Liloan and Dakak.