The country’s most promising junior golfers are set to compete for coveted spots in the prestigious Elite Junior Finals during the ICTSI PGT Championship, which begins Wednesday at the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.
This tournament marks the kickoff of the four-leg Mindanao swing of the nationwide series, which will also feature events at Pueblo de Oro (July 1 to 3), South Pacific (July 9 to 11), and Apo Golf (July 14 to 16). The Elite Junior Finals are scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 3 at The Country Club in Laguna.
Leading the boys’ 15-18 category is Mactan leg winner Alexis Nailga. Other strong contenders include fellow Bukidnon player and last year’s Match Play Finals winner Clement Ordeneza, as well as Visayas standouts Nyito and Roman Tiongko from Cebu, and Bacolod’s Santi Asuncion.
In the girls’ division, Davao’s Precious Zaragosa, who was the runner-up in the Mactan leg, is a key player. She will face challenges from Bukidnon locals Zero Plete and Crista Minoza, Cagayan de Oro’s Kenley Yu and Venice Guillermo, and Davao’s Santinna Patosa.
The boys’ 11-14 category, which will be played over 36 holes, features South Cotabato’s Jared Saban and Laurence Saban, Davao’s Nicolas Bernardo, Cagayan de Oro’s Ken Guillermo, Franco Lim, and Kian Umpar, along with Bukidnon’s Mikhail Namocatcat, James Langamin, and Miko Woo.
In the girls’ 11-14 category, Mactan winner Brittany Tamayo from South Cotabato aims for a second consecutive victory, competing against CDO’s Margaux Espina and Sasha Edwards, Bukidnon’s Angel Wahing and Yvonne Colim, and Davao’s Kimberly Baroquillo and Ayla Pavadora.
In the 7-10 category, the girls’ title will be contested by Jilliane Namocatcat, Maegan Langamin, Ashia Frayco, Francesca Geroy, Sistine Yu, Soleil Molde, and Arianna Garcia, while the boys’ division will feature Bukidnon’s Simon Apilat and Mactan champion Ethan Lago.