Asian American Golfers of Illinois (AAGI) President

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Jose Domingo Molina was not even playing golf regularly when he joined the ASIAN AMERICAN GOLFERS OF ILLINOIS when it was established in 1992 by GOLFINOS (Golfers of Illinois) players Domie Lico, Dan Uaje, Ferdie Yarra, Loy Chiong, Hermie Calderon and Fred De Guzman, and became an official league with a constitution and bylaws in 1993. They were all Sunday league players that wanted a Saturday group so they came up with a name, formed a continuous Saturday schedule and the rest was history as they say. From this Saturday league, as more members joined in, neighboring states players would sometimes come to Chicago to pay with the AAGI group. After a few years of friendly visits and competitive golf among the out of state players, the AAGI officers decided to form an interstate league in 1998 and called it the annual Interstate Golf Tournament or IGT, and the founding members of this group included the states of Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Missouri and Ohio. The first IGT was played at the now defunct Indian Lakes Golf Resort in Bloomingdale, and from there on, IGT is still going strong after 30 years with the AAGI league of Chicago hosting it once again this year.

Joe, as he is fondly called by his golf buddies, is husband to Elinor, and father to Kristy and Joel. Joe is a cardiovascular ICU Registered Nurse, and his wife is also an RN by profession. He has been with the Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights for the last 27 years and even there, he is a highly respected team leader in his department.

Joe hails from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, a small town north of Laoag City in the Philippines. He is a quiet, kind, patient man which is why he is the first and only member of AAGI that has held the position of President twice, one in 2012, and many many years later, during the COVID years in 2019, when plans for the IGT that year was put on hold as the country went on lockdown. In 2021, Joe roused the members out of quarantine by asking everyone to come out and start the season to play their favorite sports. From then on, Joe was the guiding force, the steady hand that has guided AAGI through the tough times, culminating in this year’s hosting of the IGT by AAGI in Illinois. Through his guidance and great leadership, he hopes to invite players from IGT participating states of Kentucky led by Dr. Jonathan Eugenio, son of one of IGT’s founders Dr Henry Eugenio, the state of West Virginia with Dr Ramon and his wife Thelma Lansang, with Florida players led by Bong and Zurita Ibrahim, North Carolina group led by Lhet Mendoza, the Atlanta and Missouri groups and also local leagues in Illinois as well. For information on joining AAGI or the two day IGT event this year on August 31 and September 1st, please call our columnist G-Mail writer Maria Girlie Pascual at (847) 912-3997 or “Let’s LOL” personality James Delacruz at (847) 912-3240.

AAGI’s tenets include family and friendship togetherness in golf, enjoying the sports in a fair and friendly competition while adhering to the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) rules and regulations. This has always been their guiding mission and with 32 years of league history behind them, AAGI remains to be one of the most respected and revered clubs in the Filipino golfing community. Joe Molina is indeed a shining example of what their players represent, a true gentleman in a sports that reveals character and integrity.

The 2022 Interstate Golf Tournament players in West Virginia.

AAGI Tournament players (L-R) Cris & Rowel Plata, James Dela Cruz, Girlie Pascual, Clive Merrill, Jessie Magsino, Ed Ramchero.

Team AAGI in orange with (L-R) Brent & Bently Pascual, Jay Mendoza, JP Ferrer, Miki Pascual & James DC.

The ladies of AAGI in pink (L-R) Rowena Esquivel, guest Mrs Estrada, Girlie Pascual, Helen Aninag, Ching Schneider & Carla Soria at last year’s IGT hosted by North Carolina.

The original IGT founders Dr Apollo & Marissa Lirio of West Virginia with Dr Lito and Elvie Fernandez of AAGI Illinois, with (L-R) Elvie, Lolit Ranchero, Ching Schneider, Girlie, Mrs Estrada, Marissa, Apollo, Dr Estrada & Doc Lito reunited after 10 years in 2023

The sweet sound of success with the IGT 2023 with the players and organizers in South Carolina.

Joe Molina with AAGI members at wedding.

Joe Molina next to James DC celebrates the win of Cris Plata in IGT 2022.

The ladies of the IGT 2023 with AAGI president Joe Molina.

Dance Performance by the AAGI group at the IGT 2023.

IGT 2023 Big Winners Carla Soria & Surnee Fong of AAGI.

IGT 2023 with AAGI players (L-R) Dr Lito Fernandez, James DC, JP Ferrer, Brent Pascual, AAGI President Joe Molina, Ed Ranchero, Cris Plata, Ching Schneider, Helen Aninag, Surnee & Larry Fong with Clive Merrill in the back. Seated (L-R) Lolit Ranchero, Rowe Esquivel, Girlie Pascual, Chinda Khiev, Rowel Plata, Elvie Fernandez.

Our favorite hosts Ed & Lolit Ranchero with A AGI President Joe Molina standing over this happy bunch of golfers in their palatial Inverness home.