Zero Plete and Annika Mondilla will carry the local fight within the centerpiece girls’ 15-18 division starting on Wednesday as the best within the Visayas and Mindanao regions come to Bukidnon for the ICTSI Del Monte Junior PGT Championship on the picturesque layout contained in the vast pineapple plantation.
Formidable contingents from Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Koronadal and Misamis Oriental are coming to challenge Bukidnon’s homegrown talents over a layout where familiarity is anticipated to play a key role in all divisions.
Precious Zaragosa leads the contingent from Davao and is listed because the chief threat within the division; the multititled Plete is again expected to dominate. Zaragosa can get some course knowledge from father-coach Boyet, who was a daily fixture for Canlubang within the PAL Interclub that made frequent stops at Del Monte.
With rating points at stake on this third leg of the six-stage Visayas-Mindanao Series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., the competition is just not just concerning the trophies, but qualification for the celebrated North vs South Elite Junior Finals in September at The Country Club.
Compelling battles
The battle is just as compelling within the 11-14 division, where Bukidnon’s Ralph Batican returns brimming with confidence after competing within the Royal Juniors in Japan. He leads a robust local forged that features James Langamin, Arger Quinlog, Kiel Elvena and Mico Woo, all desirous to assert control within the 36-hole contest.
In the ladies’ 11-14 class, Rafella Batican carries the house team’s hopes but faces a stern test from a wave of rising talents—South Cotabato’s Brittany Tamayo, Francesca Geroy and Isabella Espina of Cagayan de Oro, Davao’s Snoe Dalisay and Solana Molde and fellow Bukidnon bet Claren Quino. The depth on this division makes it probably the most unpredictable, where momentum can shift with every round.