GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite — The biggest junior golf tournament — the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines Interclub — gets going on Tuesday with 42 teams from all over the country converging at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club.
“This is one tournament that we always look forward to each year,” Armand Copok said.
“It’s not only about the competition but also the relationships built through the years.”
Copok is one of 20 players representing Cagayan de Oro, a city that has embarked on an ambitious junior golf program in collaboration with the JGFP.
Alethea Gaccion, the Faldo Series Asia Finals champion, is spearheading the Cagayan de Oro delegation. She is teaming up with Miko Granada, Glenn Unabia and Copok in one of two Pueblo de Oro squads seeing action in the Division I championship.
Pueblo de Oro is also fielding a formidable squad in the Division II championship: Ralph Rian Batican, Rafella Batican, Alonzo Retuerto and Franco Qui.
Division I is for players 13 to 18 years old while Division II is reserved for 12-and-under.
Meanwhile, Nicole Gan, playing for TGA Junior, scored her first hole-in-one during Tuesday’s practice round.
The 12-year-old used a nine-iron and a Maxfli No. 1 ball to ace the 137-yard fourth hole at the Norman course.
She played in the company of sister Stephanie and Thai teammates Wirada Tawinsang and Namon Luangnitukul.
Another Thai, Chonpansa Tawinsang, adds depth to Team TGA that also boasts Monique Arroyo, Geoffrey Tan and Anya Cedo.
Aside from TGA Junior and Pueblo de Oro, the other teams to watch in Division II Championship are Team LDG, Orchard and Canlubang Barons.
Team LDG is made up of Sooreen Lee, Halo Pangilinan, Quincy Pilac and Lucas de Guzman.
Orchard has siblings Mona, Lisa and Vito Sarines, and Jacob Gomez while Canlubang counts on Precious Zaragosa, Race Manhit, Ryuji Suzuki and Kenzo Gavin Tan.
Aside from Pueblo de Oro and Team TGA, the Division I championship contenders are host Eagle Ridge, Canlubang, Orchard and Riviera.
Bobe Salahog and Edison Tabalin banner Eagle Ridge and Canlubang Barons, respectively.
Orchard boasts Zachary Castro and Tristan Jefferson Padilla while Riviera has Patrick Tambalque and Anna Fernandez.
The tournament also holds competitions for developmental players in both divisions.
On Monday, Dr. Ramon Eduardo Villasor held a sports psychology seminar at the Aoki clubhouse for players and parents.
Villasor holds a doctorate degree in counseling psychology and a master degree of Science Guidance and Counseling.
He also holds a certificate in sports counseling from San Diego University.
