Vito Sarines is among the players to watch out for in the ICTSI JPGT National Match Play Finals boys division. –HANDOUT PHOTO
The 10-12 age category in the upcoming ICTSI Junior PGT National Match Play Final is expected to bring intense competition with no clear favorite among the 16 players in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
This sets the stage for the culmination of the five-month nationwide series, starting with an 18-hole stroke play competition on October 2 at The Country Club in Laguna. This Phase 1 event will determine player rankings for the exciting head-to-head matchups that follow in Phase 2 – 18-hole knockout rounds.
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Vito Sarines, who claimed four-leg victories in the Luzon series, is a strong contender but faces stiff competition against the likes of Mindanao finalists Ralph Batican and Jared Saban, as well as Visayas top qualifiers Race Manhit and Kurt Flores. Luzon standouts like Ryuji Suzuki, Inigo Gallardo and Javie Bautista also bring impressive credentials to the competition.
Batican and Saban are among the five returning winners from last year’s JPGT inaugurals (stroke play) at the TCC.
Aerin Chan. –HANDOUT PHOTO
In the girls’ division, Aerin Chan seeks to continue her dominant three-leg winning streak that earned her a share of the Luzon series’ top spot with Maurysse Abalos. Joining the action are standouts Quincy Pilac and Casedy Cuenca.
Much attention will be on Mindanao qualifiers Rafella Batican and Brittany Tamayo, as well as Visayas contender Kelsey Bernardino and multi-series finalist Chelsea Ogborne, all of whom are poised to make an impact.
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Intense competition is also expected in the 8-9, 13-15, and 16-18 age groups of the tournament featuring young talent on the rise.
Under the tournament format, stroke play ties will be broken by comparing scores over the last 9 holes (holes 10-18), then over the last 6 holes (13-18), and finally, the last 3 holes (16-18). If needed, countback from the 18th hole will determine the rankings.
For match play ties, a hole-by-hole playoff will decide the victor, as per the rules established by the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Sponsored by ICTSI for the second consecutive season, the JPGT aims to fuel the passion and development of young golfers through a series of competitive events across various age groups.