In the midst of the activities of the Chile Open, the activity manager analyzes the panorama of the discipline in the country and the impact of Joaco and Mito Pereira on the local scene. It also declassifies details that kept the National Open from becoming part of PGA Americas.
It was an extremely busy week for Felipe Bertin, president of the Chilean Golf Federation. The 93rd edition of the Chile Open, where Joaquín Niemann and Mito Pereira appear as the main faces, makes him work tirelessly.
He speaks at press conferences, shares with players and actively participates in activities leading up to the event, such as this Wednesday’s Pro-Am. This is also mixed with other responsibilities of his position. In fact, the conversation with El Deportivo took place from Santo Domingo, where it was part of the anniversary of the golf club in said municipality.
With La Tercera, he thinks of everything. He discusses the Federation’s plans for the future, discusses the departure of the event from the continental PGA circuit and details the proximity of the Chilean stars with the local scene and the next generations.
This year, the Chile Open does not appear on the Latin American PGA Tour…
The PGA Latin America has changed. Today, it no longer exists and becomes the PGA Americas, where Canada is also located and where there are fewer tournaments. Although it may not be very good news for the Chile Open, it is a very good thing because it allows us to have our two best representatives who are Joaco and Mito. In this sense, we are very happy with this Chile Open, because when we were PGA players from Latin America were emerging in world golf and today we have two super established figures. Moreover, it would be impossible to have them here if they were not Chilean and did not want to play, because the truth is that they are on another level, they play for other types of figures, that they have other types of agendas.
Were there any negotiations to be on the circuit?
Yes, but there are also many themes. Before, the Chilean Open at PGA Latin America was useful, because we had thirty wild cards to distribute and invite all Chileans, not only professionals, but also amateurs. With the format change, this no longer exists. Tournaments were also halved and the PGA, in Solomonic fashion, handed out the places. We negotiated to have PGA Americas and Korn Ferry, but the result was that Chile was left with only Korn Ferry.
Will they try to come back?
The Federation will always be willing, but I don’t know if the quotas are available. The PGA is going through a big change. With PGA Americas, they are taking a gamble that I think will end very well. They are trying to be more competitive, to have the better game and I think we will continue to see that in the years to come.
Having Mito and Niemann must have a gigantic impact for the Chile Open…
It was impressive. At the launch, the amount of press was incredible; the cover he had. Obviously, having these two figures makes the fight easier. Finding sponsors after the Pan American Games is difficult, but the truth is that our sponsors have been incredibly supportive. Obviously, Joaco and Mito are a very special product, which does not cost much to sell.
Are they part of the Federation? Are they helping, they ask?
I am particularly very close to Joaco. I know him a lot. When he comes to Chile, I see him and he talks to me constantly. He asks me how the Federation is doing, how the children are doing and he is worried. Joaco has been super generous with the Federation, he has a contract with Adidas and practically shares it with the Federation. All the clothing we have is the product of Joaco’s sponsorship. So he constantly makes fun of us. With Mito it’s exactly the same thing, maybe I don’t have as direct a relationship as with Joaco, who I knew as a child, but Mito is a gentleman. He constantly helps in everything. At the conference this Tuesday he took pictures with everyone, gave interviews and had an incredible character. They constantly monitor who is emerging in the golf course and are very present.
Are you excited about them being at Paris 2024?
For us, it is essential that our best representatives are at the Olympic Games. Both intend to continue adding, planning the schedule accordingly. For us and for them, the question of the Olympic Games is very important. They are very motivated to play for Chile, they love it. Fingers crossed that they can be there, because with the experience of Tokyo we can definitely have a chance of being at the top.
One of the most frequently discussed topics is the need to develop golf…
We have several policies under one umbrella called Súmate al Golf. For us, it is essential to develop and popularize golf. We work with municipalities, with San Francisco de Mostazal, with Pirque, with Quilicura. We have a school for the elderly in Ñuñoa. With the clubs of Santiago, such as the Polo Club, Sport Francés and Country, we have a scholarship agreement for young people who do not have a club. There is also an inclusion program with the Telethon. Massification and inclusion are fundamental. The way to have more Joaco Niemann and more Mito Pereira is to have more people, more quantity.
To what extent has the Federation grown over these years?
The Federation has been functioning well for a long time. There are solid foundations, but there is no doubt that the last seven years have changed a lot. The growth has been huge, we have a lot more budget, we do a lot more things. We have new championships, agreements with academies, minor circuits with championships almost every weekend. We did a lot of things and we were lucky to have the explosion of Joaco and Mito, which obviously helps a lot. There is a very strong golf boom in Chile.
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Source: Latercera
I am David Jack and I have been working in the news industry for over 10 years. As an experienced journalist, I specialize in covering sports news with a focus on golf. My articles have been published by some of the most respected publications in the world including The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.
