Bukidnon bets eye Junior PGT home dominance

The ICTSI Del Monte Junior PGT Championship tees off Wednesday, April 29, in Bukidnon, with local standouts aiming to turn home-course familiarity into an advantage against a deep field of young golfers from across the Visayas and Mindanao.

The tournament brings together rising players from Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Koronadal and Misamis Oriental, setting up a competitive third leg of the six-stage Visayas-Mindanao Series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

For Bukidnon’s junior golfers, the event carries added meaning as Del Monte has long been regarded as a cradle of champions, producing prominent names such as Frankie Miñoza, Clyde Mondilla and Reymon Jaraula.

Leading the host campaign in the girls’ 15-18 division are Zero Plete and Annika Mondilla, who will try to use precision and course familiarity to keep the title race within Bukidnon’s reach.

In the boys’ premier class, Alexis Nailga, Clement Ordeneza, Cody Langamin, Raphael Capin and Timothy Cabang form a strong local group expected to contend for top honors.

The path to victory, however, remains difficult as Davao standout Precious Zaragosa looms as a major challenger in the girls’ top division and is expected to test Plete in one of the tournament’s key matchups.

Cagayan de Oro’s Mikela Guillermo and Maureen Sia also add depth to a competitive field that reflects the growing strength of junior golf across the region.

Beyond trophies, ranking points are at stake as players try to strengthen their bids for qualification to the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals in September at The Country Club.

The 11-14 division is also expected to deliver a tight race, with Bukidnon’s Ralph Batican returning with confidence after competing in the Royal Juniors in Japan.

Batican leads a local cast that includes James Langamin, Arger Quinlog, Kiel Elvena and Mico Woo, all seeking to make their mark in the 36-hole contest.

In the girls’ 11-14 class, Rafella Batican carries Bukidnon’s hopes but faces a deep field led by 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 youngest divisions also promise a competitive showcase as Faith Frayco and Maxine Cabang try to defend Bukidnon’s turf in the girls’ 7-10 category.

They will be challenged by Davao’s Soleil Molde and Cebu’s Millah Avila, two young players already showing poise beyond their years.

In the boys’ 7-10 class, Davao’s Ethan Lago enters as one of the players to watch as he chases a third consecutive leg victory after winning in Mactan and Alta Vista.

Lago’s sweep bid will be tested by a hungry Bukidnon group composed of Winrov Marcial, Lenard Sale, Edson Marcial, Miguel Catacutan and Marlou Langamin, each hoping to deliver a breakout performance on home soil.