MANILA, Philippines — Rupert Zaragosa and Miya Legaspi ruled the 15-17 years division in the 2014 ICTSI Junior Championship at the Country Club in Canlubang, Laguna, to qualify for the annual Junior World meet.
Zaragosa finally went over par after three successive rounds of 70 but his closing effort of four-over 76 and a 72-hole total of 286 was still good for a five-shot win over Raymart Tolentino who did 74-291.
Dan Emilio Cruz took the third slot disputed in the boys event with his 73-299 while Del Monte’s Jelbert Gamolo defeated Basti Lorenzo in a playoff for the fourth slot after both players ended in a tie for fourth at 304.
Legaspi, winner of the Asian Youth Games gold medal last year in China, topped the girls qualifier with her best round in four days of 72, giving her a 295 aggregate and a six-shot win over Daniella Uy (75-301). Chanelle Avaricio (76-303) and Sam Martirez (77-304) also grabbed slots in the team that will carry the country’s colors in the Junior World in San Diego, California, in July.
Wei Wei Gao and Harmie Constantino were the winners in the 13-14 years bracket while Josh Jorge and Junia Louise Gabasa topped the 11-12 years age-group of the event made possible by golf patron Ricky Razon of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. It was also supported by Martin Lorenzo, the Philippine Golf Foundation, Inquirer Golf, Crystal Catx, Golf Depot, PacSports, The Country Club and Capitol Hills/Ayala.
Cebu bet Gao became the only player not to go over par in four days at the difficult TCC course—site of the recent Solaire Open—with his 72-286 good for a four-stroke win over Ira Christian Alido and Ryan Monsalve, who both finished with identical 76s and 300 totals that gave them tickets to the Junior World. Constantino led all the way, topping her event with a 75-290 and was joined by Yuka Saso (71-294) and Ashia Nocum (73-298) as the three qualifiers in their age-group.
Jorge won with a 75-299, beating Carl Jano Corpus who had a 76-315. The two other slots went to Jolo Magcalayo (76-315) and Riggs Illescas (82-330).
Gabasa denied a family double for the Legaspis when she beat Missy Legaspi in a count back for the top plum after both finished tied at 297.