Arevalo reigns by 12 shots in US Kids Holiday Classic

MANILA, Philippines - Abegail Arevalo carded a two-over par 74 and captured the centerpiece 13-14 division crown in the US Kids’ Holiday Classic at the Fazio Course in Palm Beach Gardens in Florida over the weekend.

Bracing for a final round shootout, Arevalo instead cruised to a trouble-free win as she hit four birdies against six bogeys to turn an overnight one-stroke lead into a runaway 12-stroke triumph over Emma Norris of Britain.

The 13-year-old Filipina shotmaker, an incoming member of the ICTSI-The Country Club golf squad, wound up with a 154 aggregate, including an 80 in the first round of the 36-hole event.

Norris skied to 85 and ended up with a 166 while New Jersey’s Katie Lee and Devyani Karla shared third place.

Arevalo, whose US stint is backed by Rep. Gualberto Duavit, also won the Pepsi Little People’s title and the US Veritas crown recently, prompting several scouts from schools in the US to inquire on her availability.

She will next see action in the Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open slated Jan. 16-18 at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.