Bets from host Cebu Country Club set the early pace in the 7th Southern Junior Classic that opened yesterday.
Vijay Vasandani led the players of the host club as he paced class A (15 to 17 years old) for boys with an opening round of three-over-par 75 strokes.
Running second for the class is Clyde Mondilla of Del Monte with 78 strokes while at third is Shotaro Suda of CCC with 79.
In class B (13 to 14 years) for boys, Gio Gandionco of CCC shot a tournament-best one-under-par 71 strokes to set the pace.
Running second for this age group is Lloyd Jefferson Go of CCC with 81 strokes and a close third is Camp Aguinaldo’s Aristeo Mata with 82 strokes.
In class C (11 to 12 years old) for boys, Ryoto Furuya of CCC pulled away on the opening round shooting even-par 72 strokes.
Gen Nagai, another player of CCC, is at second spot with 78 strokes while running third is Jelbert Gamolo of Del Monte with 82.
Del Monte’s Jets Sajulga broke the CCC stranglehold as he paced class D (9 to 10 years old) with an opening round of 79 strokes.
Running second is CCC’s Sahilesh Vasandani of CCC with 83 strokes and at third is Wei Wei Gao of Alta Vista with 83.
Wei Yu Gao of Alta Vista opened with 35 strokes to pace class E (8 years old and under) for boys. The players of this class only play nine holes per day.
Running second is Back Seung Hyeon of Alta Vista with 36 and their teammate Park Tae Wan is third with 39.
GIRLS’ DIVISION
Alta Vista’s Irina Gabasa paced class A after the first round with a round of 75 strokes.
A major shoot out is expected in today’s final round as CCC’s Abby Olea is a very close second with 76 strokes while Del Monte’s Apple Fudolin is a close third with 78.
In class B, CCC’s Juilly Vasandani is on top with 75 strokes while at second is Alta Vista’s Emy Lou Tan with 84.
Leading class C is Rachita Vasandani of CCC with an opening round of 84 while one stroke back at second is Alta Vista’s Ericka Lim.
Lois Kaye Go of CCC leads class D with 83 strokes.
In class E, Angela Mangana leads the field with 39 strokes followed by Junia Gabasa also of Alta Vista with 45.
SPECIAL DIVISION
Players, who are past the junior golf age, but still below 23 years old are seeing action in this category.
Setting the pace after the opening round is Charles Hong of CCC with three-over-par 75 strokes on nines of 38 and 37.
At second is Marvin Mendoza also of CCC with 76 and he is tied with Zamboanga’s Eldon Elumba. (THE FREEMAN)