Aldrin Gialon, using a borrowed driver and golf bag, birdied the 18th hole to salvage a two-over-par 74 and storm in front of the premier boys’ 15-18 age-group division of the 2023 JGFP Davo Championships at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City Saturday.
The 16-year-old Grade 10 student at Don Enrique Bustamante National High School kept mistakes to a minimum, making only three bogeys in the tough course made longer by overnight rains.
“I’m happy to be able to play in the tournament,” said Gialon whose driver and bag were shipped by brother Zanieboy from Manila.
He avoided trouble and set up his lone birdie with a nice approach from 90 yards in the par-5 finishing hole.
Two Apo golfers — Rex Zaragosa and Ken Zonio, shared second spot with 76 apiece, two shots ahead of Interschools champion Zeus Zara and Adrian Luzon.
John Robert Bernis, who flew Friday from Manila, opened with an 80.
Eleven-year-old Lisa Sarines pulled off the day’s biggest surprise by scoring one of two best rounds among the girls — a gutsy 74 built on one birdie against three bogeys.
She took a two-shot lead over Zero Plete of Cagayan de Oro. Running third was 11-12 champion Nicole Gan who had an 81.
In the girls’ 15-17, Althea Paige Gaccion also of Cagayan de Oro seized the lead with a 74, one stroke ahead of Velinda Castil.
The battle for the boys’ 13-14 title was tight with Cody Langamin nursing a one-shot lead over Kristoffer Nadales. Langamin and Nadales carded an 81 and 82, respectively.
The tournament, which serves as JGFP’s grassroots program, is backed by Gaisano Malls, John Gaisano, Dimdi Furniture and Appliance Centre, Soleil Cafe, and Islandwide Distribution Corporation.
ADRIAN Bisera (left) gets assistance from brother Dante, a tour professional, during the 2023 JGFP Davao Championship at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City Saturday.
The first-day results:
Boys’ 15-18 — Aldrin Gialon 74, Rex Zaragosa 76, Ken Zonio 76, Zeus Sara 78, Xhylas Adrian Luzon 78, John Robert Bernis 80, Rolly Wacan 80, Adrian Bisera 81, Davei Boy Pook 82, Nino Villasencio 83, Travis Cadungog 86, Bryce Ian Lacida 88, Gian Matt Bullecer 89, Josephous Gadingan 94, Edgar Ibuyan III 97, Alanis Intong 100, Kenly Troy Wacan 104, Adrrie Michael Perez 111, Antonio Benito Rabat 115
Girls’ 15-18 — Althea Paige Gaccion 74, Velinda Castil 75, Liana Pondias 81, Anci Galicia 83, Aisha Fanlo 93, Princess Mae Babia 94, Crista Therese Minoza 98, Bethena Dion Bolado 116, Margaux Mabale 116
Boys’ 13-14 — Cody Langamin 81, Kristoffer Nadales 82, Alexis Nailga 83, Clement Ordeneza 87, Gabriel Rosal 90, Felix Saludar 99, AJ Wacan 100, Kirt Wacan 108, Akio Christoffer Lee 109, Javier Santos 127, Markus Rabat 132
Girls’ 13-14 — Lisa Sarines 74, Zero Plete 76, Nicole Gan 81, Alexis Nailga 83, Vito Sarines 89, Mona Sarines 90, Vince Naranjo 97, Joakim Ortega 101, Julienne Mabale 108, Khaeden Redillas II 110, Annika Pasion 125, Mikela Venice Guillermo 136.
