Pueblo Golf hosts JGFP’s 2nd leg
CAGAYAN DE ORO: A total of 150 golfers will tee off when the second part of the Mindanao leg of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) starts with the Pueblo de Oro Junior Open Saturday at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country here. The event, which comes after a successful tournament in Davao City at Apo Golf last January 8, hopes to continue the same vision of the JGFP, that is, to discover new talents from the grassroots level, particularly in the Mindanao region. The region has produced a number of successful world caliber golfers over the years including Frankie Miñoza, Tony Lascuna, Cassius Casas, Elmer Salvador, Elmer Saban, Jay Bayron, Jhonnel Ababa and rising star Edison Tabalin.
JGFP President Oliver Gan said the number of participants only proved that the interest in junior golf is very high, as young participants are excited to showcase their talent in the two-day meet.
“We are overwhelmed with the turnout,” said Gan, a former golf consultant of the Games and Amusements Board.
“This goes to show that young golfers are excited to play — especially golfers from the region. That means Mindanao is really a hotbed for talented young golfers,” added Gan, who expressed his gratitude to Pueblo Golf Chairman Ronnie Canlas and General Manager Gilby Velez for making the event possible.
The event, supported by John Gaisano, Gaisano Malls, Islandwide Distribution Corp. and Pueblo Golf, will have boys and girls competitions in the 6-under, 7-8 years old, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18. A special division will also be played for the 19-21 golfers.
Participants in the 12 and above bracket will also earn ranking points from the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Under WAGR, they already started Friday for the required three-day meet.
Champions from the Davao leg will also see action here, including Manila-based golfers Nicole and Stephanie Gan, and Lucas de Guzman, Mindanao’s Jared Saban, Athena Batican, Alonzo Retuerto, Brittany Pauline Tamayo, Zerto Plete, Cody John Langamin, Althea Paige Gaccion, Aldrein Gialon and John Canlas.