Pint-sized jungolf champ appeals to US embassy

The dream of six-year-old Raymund "JR" Gonzales of playing on the very course where American Tiger Woods started his winning ways in San Diego, California may not be realized due to non-issuance of visa by the United States Embassy

But the top jungolfer and his mother coach, Rowena Yadao Gonzales, are hopeful of still making the trip to the Junior World golf championship since they are appealing their case to the US embassy.

The Philippine jungolf contingent is to leave early next week for the event slated in a number of courses in Torrey Pines beginning July 13.

Gonzales and his mother were denied a visitor’s visa the first time they applied for one and they have since appealed their case although time is fast running out on the No. 1 jungolfer in his division. His event is set at compact, par-3 Praesidio layout where Woods won a number of titles in the past.

"JR" dominated the last junior golf season and had a rare feat of firing three aces in nine months of competition. He topped the qualifying tournament in Class E in Riviera, Aguinaldo, Tat Filipinas and Malarayat.

Gonzales and Dottie Ardina, an eight-year old find from Canlubang, are two of the local jungolfers expected to figure well in the Praesidio division.

The RP jungolf delegation is headed by Merwin Mediana with Philippine Airlines as chief backer.