Around 100 Filipino junior golfers and 50 players from 10 foreign contingents are set to compete for pride and honor in the JGFP World Team Championships, which officially begin Friday at the Apo Golf and Country Club here.
Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) president Oliver Gan was among those who hit the ceremonial tee-off Thursday, followed by the official practice round. The event ushers in the three-day meet where Philippine jungolfers will test their mettle against overseas talents.
Elite bets from Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, China, Australia, Indonesia, and the United States are among the field. The best hopes for the Philippines rest on NGAP Philippines 1 and Davao aces who have the deepest knowledge of the challenges of the famed Apo layout.
‘The elite players have the advantage in experience, but the Davao players have course familiarity, and it could spell the difference in a tight battle,’ said Gan.
Stakes are high in the blue-ribbon event: junior world ranking points for everyone and a chance to compete in a tough upcoming jungolf championship in Sri Lanka for the best Philippine boy and girl finishers, courtesy of the National Golf Association of the Philippines.
Nicole Gan, Geoffrey Tan, Tristan Jefferson Padilla, and Vito Sarines comprise NGAP Phl 1 in the 54-hole tournament for the premier 13-18 age group, which uses a four-to-play, three-to-count format.
Not to be taken for granted is the Pueblo team of Alexis Nailga, Edward Guillermo, Seth Santos, and Mikela Guillermo. Spotlight is also on the JGFP Mindanao squad of Zaki Taglucop, DJ Parangan, Bixie Rosales, and Ayla Pavadora.
Aside from the premier division, competition will also be held for the 9-12 and 8-under brackets. The 13-18 and 9-12 divisions will be played over three rounds, while the 8-under will be contested over 36 holes.
The championships aim to position Mindanao, and Davao City in particular, as a serious hub in the national junior golf ecosystem, not just a warm-weather playground for visiting pros.
The JGFP World Team Championships marks only the second international tournament ever hosted by Apo Golf, a milestone for the club and for Mindanao golf.
The first such event was a breakthrough in putting the course on the regional map. This follow-up installs it firmly in the junior golf tour calendar.
‘The championships are more than a tournament – they embody our core mission of using golf to build character, foster sportsmanship, and promote unity among youth from different nations,’ said Gan.
‘We are deeply grateful to the NGAP, the PSC, Islandwide, JS Gaisano Malls, the DoT, the City Government of Davao, and all our partners and sponsors for their support in making this dream a reality,’ Gan added.