MANILA, Philippines — Sixty-four qualifiers from four regional eliminations clash for supremacy in the Philippine Golf Foundation Junior Masters national finals starting today at the Aoki course of Eagle Ridge in Gen. Trias, Cavite.
To be disputed over 54 holes in the tournament jointly staged by the Philippine Golf Foundation and the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines are the top awards in four age brackets for boys and girls featuring eight players each.
The standouts of the ICTSI-JGFP summer circuit are all accounted for with Daniella Uy, Sean Granada, Sofia Chabon, Josh Jorge installed as among the heavy favorites to prevail.
Entries from the Visayas and Mindanao are also out to give the Big City bets a tough challenge in the series-capping tournament.
Just in its second year, the PGF Junior Masters has become one of the most anticipated events in the jungolf calendar with the support of clubs like Eagle Ridge, Baguio Country Club, Cebu Country Club, Del Monte and Mt. Malarayat.
“Through the Junior Masters project, the PGF and our host clubs have opened more doors for talent development,” said JGFP president Luigi Tabuena.
Also in the field are former US Kids world titlists Philippe Palanca, the Miñozas and Pamela Mariano of Del Monte, the Magcalayo siblings and Cebu’s Junia Gabasa.
The finalists: 15-17 years—Boys: Joseph Orbito, Lanz Uy, Raymart Tolentino, Dan Cruz, Airon Sorino, Argie Quino, Jelbert Gamolo, Ronel Tagaan; Girls: Daniella Uy, Nikki Bruce, Abby Arevalo, Chanelle Avaricio, Jona Hortelano, Gab Crystal, Pamela Mariano, Rhea Langgamin 13-14 years—Boys: Paolo Wong, Ryan Monsalve, Nikolo Gatmaitan, Ira Alido, Russel Bautista, Jets Sajulga, Joshua Salcedo; Girls: Jona Magcalayo, Sofia Chabon, Samantha Green, Keilla Choi, Almica Miñoza, Alfa Mae Miñoza 11-12 years—Boys:Philippe Palanca, Jolo Magcalayo, Carl Corpus, Josh Jorge, Joaquin Velez, Mark Cannen, Rolando Bregente, Jacob Rolida; Girls: Nicole Abelar, Mariel Tee, Jamina Uttoh, Laia Barro, Junia Gabasa, Angela Mangana, Martina Miñoza, Florence Bisera 9-10 years—Boys: Sean Granada, Francis Lanuza, Sean Ramos, Marc Nolasco, Rem Moromasa, Cris Aparilla, Ken Zonio; Girls: Armie Taguines, Samantha Dizon, Burberry Zhang, Laurea Duque, Jordan Ouano, Isabel Aguirre, Marie Aparilla, Rafaela Singson