Bagtas, Arroyo book Thailand jungolf slots

Leandro Bagtas and Monique Arroyo reigned in their respective divisions in the first Oliver Gan Junior Golf Fellowship Invitational at The Riviera recently, banking, in the process, slots to the prestigious Thailand Junior Championships in October.

Bagtas fired a two-over-par 74 at the Langer course to rule the Division 1 college class, while Arroyo tallied a 71 for a three-shot win over Edison Tabilin in Division 1 Grade 10-12.

More than 100 junior golfers took part in the 18-hole event with the seasoned Rianne Malixi given an automatic slot to the Thailand event. Malixi appeared in the event as a guest player and will be the third representative of the country in October.

Nicole Gan fired an 83 and ruled Division 1 Grade 4-6 for girls, while Race Manhit won the title in the boys Division 1 Grade 4-6 with a 79. Ryuji Suzuki ruled Division 1 Grade K3 with an 86.

The event was so successful that a second installment is being drawn up by organizers, who held the tournament free of charge to help in the development of junior golf in the country.