Watch out for this jungolfer

Just a year after taking up the sport, Tonton Fernandez has worked his way on top of his club’s junior golf program, lowering his handicap to 8.3 and he’s not stopping to bring it to scratch.

On Monday, the 17-year-old incoming Grade 11 student of University of Baguio Science High School made his first hole-in-one, crushing a three-wood from 285 yards on the par-4 12th hole of the Camp John Hay Golf and Country Club.

His tee shot started right of target before drawing back into the green.

“I knew it could reach the green, but wasn’t expecting it would go in,” said the son of a Baguio businessman.

When one of his flight mates told him there was a ball inside the cup, Fernandez threw his club in the air and celebrated with his companions — Lance Kiat Ong and Ford Kiat Ong.

It’s not the first time the 12th hole had been aced, but not anybody can hit the ball that long.

Fernandez stands just below five foot seven, but pounds the ball a mile long — over 300 yards.

Jhonnel Ababa, a multiple winner in the Philippine Golf Tour, averages 280 yards off the tee.

But Fernandez said he’s still a long way to go.

“I still need to improve on everything, specially my short game because I know I can do better,” said Fernandez who can be seen on the driving range from sunrise to sunset.

Like most serious golfers, Fernandez aims to play in the US PGA Tour. In his Facebook account, he writes down his job as US PGA grass cutter.

His progress is short of phenomenal. From 21.9 handicap in May of last year, Fernandez became single-handicapper in February, achieving his best number this month.

Behind him is Tim Allen, the American general manager of Camp John Hay Golf and Country Club, and former touring pro Danny Zarate.

“He’s quite long — a very powerfully built young man,” said Allen who organized the first Fil-Am Jungolf Invitational at John Hay.

The club has his own team of junior players it supports and Fernandez obviously is the best of the lot.