MACTAN, Cebu \u2013\u00a0Homegrown talents aim to make the most of their course familiarity as the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship gets under way today (Monday, May 5) at the par-72 Mactan Island Golf Course here, launching the Visayas-Mindanao series of the nationwide Junior Philippine Golf Tour.<\/p>\n
The event, the first of seven regional legs, stakes crucial ranking points across three age-group divisions for coveted spots in the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals later this year. These will bring together the top performers from both the VisMin and Luzon circuits, with the latter\u2019s first three legs held last month at Eagle Ridge, Sherwood Hills and Splendido Taal.<\/p>\n
While Cebu\u2019s local bets enjoy the so-called homecourt advantage on the tight and flat Mactan layout \u2013 known for its narrow fairways, subtle defenses and tricky sand and water hazards \u2013 they face stiff resistance from a determined and well-prepared Mindanao contingent hungry to assert its dominance.<\/p>\n
Mindanao players are represented across all divisions, headlined by Davao\u2019s Precious Zaragosa and Cagayan de Oro\u2019s Kenley Yu in the 15-18 category. They will challenge Cebu standouts Apple Gotiong, Lois Laine Go and Ni\u00f1a Balangauan in the girls\u2019 division.<\/p>\n
Bukidnon\u2019s Alexis Nailga, on the other hand, battles Visayan counterparts Yosef Tiongko, Jose Tiongko III, Ritchie Go, Bacolod\u2019s Inno Flores and Mandaue\u2019s Zeus Suzara in the boys\u2019 15-18 division of the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.<\/p>\n
Even in the youngest age bracket (7-10), the 36-hole competition is expected to be fierce. Denise Mendoza and Skye Yocte lead the charge for the hosts, while Cagayan de Oro\u2019s Sistine Marie Yu aims to spoil their bid in the girls\u2019 division.<\/p>\n
James Rolida of CDO and Davao\u2019s Franco Lago headline the Mindanao charge in the boys\u2019 side, facing tough opposition from Charles Tan, Ethan Ong, Tobias Tiongko and Anthony Avila.<\/p>\n
All eyes will also be on the 11-14 age group, where Cebu-based Monique Tan, Daven Dy and Davelyn Dy brace for battles against Mindanao’s rising stars, including Bukidnon\u2019s Rafella Batican, South Cotabato\u2019s Brittany Tamayo, and CDO\u2019s Margaux Espina.<\/p>\n
Mandaue\u2019s Zuri Bagaloyos and Bacolod\u2019s Chelsea Ogborne bolster the Visayas campaign in the girls\u2019 side of the 36-hole event.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the boys\u2019 division features a promising matchup between Cebuanos David Gothong, Alexander Gothong, Braxton Gesta, Miguel Astor and Miguel Mesina and Bacolod\u2019s Isaac Luis Locsin against Mindanao standouts like GenSan\u2019s Gabriel Manangquil, Bukidnon\u2019s Ralph Batican and Mico Woo.<\/p>\n
Though the competition is strong, the familiarity of the Cebuanos with the nuances of the Mactan course \u2013 from the wind patterns to the deceptive flatness and strategic bunkering \u2013 could give them a crucial edge. Still, Mindanao\u2019s drive, depth and growing pedigree promise to keep the home team on its toes.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the VisMin series continues at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (Marapara) from May 14-16, followed by Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia on May 19-21.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MACTAN, Cebu \u2013\u00a0Homegrown talents aim to make the most of their course familiarity as the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship gets under way today (Monday, May 5) at the par-72 Mactan Island Golf Course here, launching the Visayas-Mindanao series of the nationwide Junior Philippine Golf Tour. The event, the first of seven regional legs,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2828,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[201],"class_list":["post-2827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-ictsi-juniors-pgt"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t