Young golfers start quests in Junior PGT

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the scenic backdrop of Splendido Taal, young golfers tee off today in the kickoff leg of the 14-stage Junior Philippine Golf Tour.

Set at the hilly terrain of the Greg Norman-designed course in Laurel, Batangas, 62 hopefuls across three age categories embark on their quest for glory in 18-hole tournaments. Among them, 21 contenders in the 15-18 boys division gear up for a challenging four-round battle, while participants in the 8-10 and 11-14 categories clash in their respective 36-hole and 54-hole competitions.

Leading the charge in the premier division is Patrick Tambalque, a standout from last year’s grand finals of the inaugural JPGT Series, alongside a formidable lineup, including Zachary Villaroman, Gabriel Handog and a host of other talented golfers.

The competition promises to be fierce with each player eager to claim not only leg honors but bolster their respective bids for coveted sports in the upcoming Philippine Junior Match Play Championship at The Country Club in October.

In the girls’ division, Korean Ji Won Lee headlines the contenders, aiming to continue dominance from last year’s series. However, challengers such as Rafa Anciano and Chloe Rada are poised to provide stiff competition.

Excitement is noticeable among the participants, with Javie Bautista expressing enthusiasm for the tour experience provided by the JPGT.

“I’m very excited about JPGT because of the unique tour experience it offers junior golfers. I anticipate that participating in JPGT events will cultivate a balance of competitiveness and enjoyment among us young golfers,” said Bautista, one of the contenders in the boys’ 11-14 class that also features Junior World-bound Vito Sarines, John Gomez and Jacob Casuga.