Young stars earn rare shot in PGT finale at Valley

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A handful of standout talents from the Junior PGT will test their mettle against the country’s top touring pros in the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge – thrilled, grateful, and energized by a rare, career-shaping opportunity to gain invaluable experience and mental toughness as they prepare for bigger campaigns here and abroad next season.

Patrick Tambalque, Jakob Taruc, Kristoffer Nadales, Alexis Nailga, and Armand Copok – each of whom has delivered either leg victories or top-tier finishes in the recently concluded junior circuit capped by the landmark North vs. South Ryder Cup-style Finals – now find themselves stepping onto a stage many young golfers only dream of.

For these rising stars, competing in a full PGT leg isn’t just a bonus – it may well be a historic first, a breakthrough moment that underscores the Junior PGT’s growing impact on developing the next generation of Filipino golf champions. While they are not expecting to contend against the seasoned pros, they are relishing the chance to compete shoulder-to-shoulder with the very players they idolize, study, and aspire to emulate.

Angelo Que headlines the PHP 2 million event unfolding Tuesday (Nov. 18) at the Valley Golf Club’s South course. The three-time Asian Tour winner is eyeing not only a third leg victory in the season-ending stop of the 10-stage circuit but also his first-ever Order of Merit crown.

He’ll have his hands full against a formidable cast of fellow leg winners Fidel Concepcion, Guido Van der Valk, Reymon Jaraula, and Rupert Zaragosa, as well as battle-tested campaigners Clyde Mondilla, Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Zanieboy Gialon, and Michael Bibat.

For Tambalque, Taruc, Nadales, Nailga, and Copok, sharing the fairways with such elite competitors is less about chasing trophies and more about soaking up lessons they can’t get anywhere else – how the pros manage pressure, attack courses, recover from mistakes, and maintain discipline across four grueling rounds. All five expressed deep gratitude for the rare shot at showcasing their games on a bigger, more demanding platform, one that could serve as a turning point in their development.

The 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. is further strengthened by the entry of young stars Aidric Chan and Carl Corpus, both boasting back-to-back overseas triumphs earlier this year.

Sean Ramos and veteran Justin Quiban are also coming into the tournament fresh from a stint in Taiwan, with the final round being played at presstime.