Callaway junior world elims up

MANILA, Philippines - The Callaway Junior World Championships qualifier, the main event of the Jungolf Summer Circuit presented by Philippine Airlines, comes off the wraps tomorrow with the well-manicured Manila Southwoods hosting the first half of a grueling 108-hole competition in Carmona, Cavite.

Contesting the 36 slots for the Philippine delegation to the annual Junior World meet in San Diego, California this July are 175 kids from various private and exclusive golf clubs around the country.

The champions in the six age categories for boys and girls in the event which also serves as third leg of the circuit, will be given free tickets to Los Angeles by Philippine Airlines. The age-group classifications of the tourney are Class A for 15-17 year olds, Class B (13-14), Class C (11-12), Class D (9-10), Class E (7-8) and Class F.

After 54 holes at the Southwoods leg, the Junior World qualifier moves to Sherwood Hills April 27-29.

Also supporting the summer circuit are Diamond Motor Corp., Club Marinduque, Unilever, Ottica Corp.,/Fury, Callaway/ Electrobus, Goin Straight, Golf Depot and Aces Agri Manufacturing Corp.

Among the favored entries are Regan de Guzman, Andie Unson and Rupert Zaragosa who are eyeing their third straight victories in the circuit, Fil-Briton Edward Reyes, Miggy Yee, Mia Legaspi, Miguel Tabuena, Bernice Olivarez-Ilas and Bino dela Paz.

“We have the best local talents in the field and it’s going to be an exciting chase for the tickets provided us by PAL through its president Jimmy Bautista,” said Gerry Handog, chairman of the organizing Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

De Guzman, Yee and Ilas have actually earned a seeded slot to the RP delegation for their impressive finishes last year but will play just the same for the free tickets. Reigning Philippine Ladies Open champ Louise Manalo and Dottie Ardina, who are both in the US, are also among the seeded bets.