Love at first swing on the greens for Quintanilla
Cebuana golf prodigy Grace Pauline Quintanilla recently hit the headlines when she reigned supreme in the 59th Philippine Ladies Open presented by Monde Nissin at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City.
The 16-year-old pride of Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City saw her early four-stroke lead evaporate after eight holes but charged back with savvy in the final five holes to edge past her closest rival Laurea Duque in the nerve-racking finale by two strokes and take home the coveted crown of the tournament last February 22.
For that, Quintanilla will don the country’s tri-colors in the 44th Queen Sirikit Cup, which is officially the AsiaPacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship, together with her compatriots Reese Ng and Alethea Gaccion on March 20-23 at the Clearwater Golf Course in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Looking back at her humble beginnings, little did Quintanilla know that a simple jungolf session at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Barangay Pardo when she was just six years old a decade ago would change her life forever.
Quintanilla unequivocally admitted that the moment she made her first swing on the greens against the backdrop of a breath-taking view and lush greenery , it was love at first sight for her in golf.
“At a young age, I didn’t really understand why I went on with golf for such a long time,” Quintanilla shared. “But as I grew older, I came to realize the fascinating art behind it. The challenge and precision of each golf swing, making it love at first swing for me in golf.”
“I am also a competitive person so I love being part of the game of golf where it allows you to enjoy, keep you fit, and challenge you most of the time,” she added.
Reflecting on her success under the guidance of his uncle and coach Deo Gabasa who guided her every step of the way, Quintanilla said the sport has really impacted her life.
“Overall, it has changed me a lot as a person. Golf has instilled discipline, patience, and a strong work ethic being brought to my everyday life. I have come to learn that this is no ordinary game, it is one that has taught me so much about and how to approach life in general.”
There were many challenges along the way but Quintanilla overcame them gracefully with sheer determination and by drawing strength and inspiration from very supportive people around her.
“The support of my parents (Gene and Edna) means a lot to me especially in reaching my goals. They have always been there for me since day one. Even through the shortcomings all those years, they have always understood, supported, loved and encouraged me through all the highs and lows,” said Quintanilla.
“Also, I would like to thank Alta Vista Golf Club for their unwavering support throughout the years. Being a product of their jungolf program, I will never forget them along the way.”
Prior to winning the Phl Ladies Open, Quintanilla basked in the glow of a fruitful campaign in the United States last year, even clinching the girls title of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Patrick Reed Junior Championship in The Woodlands, Texas. That was her ticket to secure a scholarship grant at Texas State University (TSU) starting in 2025.
“I would say that it was a pretty long and slow process. Filipino players have lesser opportunities to get into scholarship programs in the US, which is very unfortunate considering the amount of talent our very own athletes have. I visited the US last year, during the summer season where college coaches are recruiting upcoming players. With a packed schedule of tournaments and a lot of communication with the coaches, eventually you will find the school that’s for you.”
As a US stint looms ahead of her, Quintanilla has a lot of things in mind.
Wanting to get better and gain a lot of experience, she hopes to turn pro and represent the country in high-level international competitions one day down the road.
But her ultimate dream goes beyond the fairways and that is to score a lifetime hole-in-one by securing a college diploma.
“I am a sure believer of education, to finish college is my number one goal,” said Quintanilla firmly. “Ever since I was a kid, I have always enjoyed going to school. I believe that education should always be a top priority because it equips me with essential skills beyond golf, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for success in life. Hidden with the stress students also go through, there is so much more you can learn from it aside from textbooks and exams that you may not realize now but definitely in the future.”*