He learned the game from the wrong side of the rope.
David Charles Serdenia grew up around the Philippine Navy Golf Club, the son of a caddie. During the pandemic, while his mother worked the course, she kept spotting him at the putting green. Rain or shine, pitching, chipping, practicing. She decided her son really wanted to be a golfer, so she let him chase it.
The golf community noticed before anyone official did. People rallied around him with financial help and donated equipment: clubs, a bag, shirts, shoes. In 2023, at 15, he won the boys junior division of the NGAP Beverly Place Open in Pampanga. Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu heard his story and put company backing behind him.
Then Ramon "El Presidente" Fernandez entered the picture.
The four-time PBA MVP and former Philippine Sports Commission chairman had built the Ramon S. Fernandez Sports and Youth Development Foundation on a simple conviction: sports transform lives, and talent should not be capped by money. Fernandez met Serdenia and committed P10,000 a month. When the boy got a shot at competing overseas, Fernandez advanced a full year of it.
The 2nd El Presidente Cup, held June 13, 2025 at Manila Southwoods, made it concrete. Serdenia was the main beneficiary, receiving a special grant of P120,000. That July, at 16, he played three tournaments across California: the FCG International in Pala Mesa, the USWING Tournament in San Diego, and the FCG Championships in Palm Desert.
Ten months later, he had a Division I scholarship at Southern Utah University.
On April 24, 2026, the 3rd El Presidente Cup teed off at The Orchard Golf & Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Eleven a.m. shotgun start on the Palmer Course, dinner and awarding after. Golfers, executives, celebrities, and athletes filled the field, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Cebu Landmasters, and Pryce Gas.
The purpose had not changed. Keep Serdenia funded through his collegiate career so that financial limits never decide how far the talent goes. The foundation extends the same support to underprivileged youth across other sports, covering training, equipment, and competition exposure.
A caddie's son is now playing Division I golf in the United States.
That is what the Cup actually plays for.
Back to the articles