Junior Golfers Set for Intense Battles in 15-Leg JPGT

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Summer heats up for junior golfers as they gear up for the Junior Philippine Golf Tour’s landmark season, which tees off Tuesday, April 8, at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Gen. Trias, Cavite.

Now on its third year, the JPGT, launched by ICTSI in 2023, features a record 15-leg calendar capped by the first North vs. South Elite Finals at The Country Club from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

This season debuts a streamlined age-group format: 7–10, 11–14 and 15–18 years old.

Organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., the tour draws a strong field of Junior World-bound talents, promising top-tier competition in all brackets.

In the boys 15–18 division, all eyes are on Junior World qualifiers Shinichi Suzuki and Charles Serdenia.

They’ll be challenged by top contenders Jose Carlos Taruc, Kristoffer Nadales, Rafael Mañaol and Alonso Espartero.

In the girls 15–18 division, Precious Zaragosa and Tiffany Bernardino headline the field, with Rafa Anciano, Jada Santiago and Levonne Talion also expected to contend.

The 11–14 category is equally stacked.

In the girls group, San Diego-bound twins Lisa and Mona Sarines lead a lineup that includes Arielle Espartero, Eliana Dumalaog, Kendra Garingalao, Kelsey Bernardino and Helena Pablo.

The boys 11–14 race will be tight, with Junior World qualifier Vito Sarines joined by Race Manhit, Chan Ahn, Jaden de Joya, Rafael Hernandez and Matthias Espina.

In the 7–10 age group, the girls division features rising stars Venus delos Santos, Mavis Espedido, Tyra Garingalao, Tyla Bernardino, Andrea Dee, Amiya Tablac and Penelope Sy.

The boys group includes Jesus Yambao, Zoji Edoc, Asher Abad, Blake Sy, Halo Pangilinan, Harvey Hernandez and Kingston Ching.

More than just a title chase, this year’s JPGT serves as a ranking event for the World Amateur Golf Ranking, adding international weight to the local tour.

With its rising prestige comes a format change: players may only compete in one series—Luzon or VisMin—based on their residence or birthplace.

Participants are not allowed to switch series in an attempt to qualify for the finals.

To earn a slot in the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals, players must join at least three events.

The top four players from each division in both series will qualify for the championship round.

Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite, will host the second leg from April 22 to 24.

The third leg concludes the first half of the North Series at Splendido Taal from April 28 to 30.

The VisMin Series kicks off in Cebu at Mactan Island Golf Course from May 5 to 7.

It then moves to Marapara in Negros Occidental from May 14 to 16 and to Bacolod Golf Club in Murcia from May 19 to 21.