Visayas Mindanao youngsters dispute JPGT national's finals berths

MANILA, Philippines — The ICTSI Junior PGT Series goes nationwide as it stages the JPGT VisMin leg starting today with a huge field clashing for top honors in five age-group divisions in both the drive, chip and putt format and 18-hole stroke play competition at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro.

Spread over two days, the tournament, which also serves as part of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.’s talent-search program, drew a total of 158 players, including offspring and kins of former and current leading pros with Visayas and Mindanao long considered as the spawning ground of golf talents in the country.

But on top of the titles staked in the boys’ and girls’ 8-and-under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18, the chance to compete and face the Luzon leg top qualifiers in the national finals at The Country Club in October is what motivates the field also made up of junior golfers and/or members/dependents of various VisMin golf clubs.

Keen competition is seen in all age categories with the premier boys’ 15-18 roster featuring 44 players, headed by former national team member Jacob Caijta, along with Adrian Bisera, Aldrien Gialon, Rex Zaragosa, Cody Langamin, Zeus Sara and Gabriel Rosal.

Headlining the cast in the girls’ 15-18 division of the tournament put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments are Crista Miñoza, Abby Abarcas, Kiara Montebon and Alethea Gaccion.