Jungolf names 10 Phl bets to Montecillo Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Ten veteran internationalists led by two former Junior World champions and an ex-Asian age-group titlist have been named to carry the country’s colors in the second Montecillo Cup Junior Golf Championship slated March 5-9 at the Palmer course of the The Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Former Junior World winners Rupert Zaragosa and Mia Legaspi, ex-Asian champ Princess Superal as well as former Philippine amateur titlist Clyde Mondilla and the multi-titled Andie Unson will banner the Philippine bid in the tourney honoring the late founder of the local jungolf movement.

The other members of the contingent in the Montecillo Cup given official sanction by the Royal & Ancient of St. Andrews and the National Golf Association of the Philippines are Cebu-based Gio Gandionco, Raymart Tolentino for the boys team and Sarah Ababa, Sam Martinez and Bianca Pagdanganan for the girls teams.

Representatives from six countries are disputing the team and individual awards in the Montecillo Cup sponsored by ICTSI, Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy, Sizzlin’ Pepper steak, PAL, Duty Free Phils., McDonald’s Pioneer Insurance, PacSports, B Hotel, I-Shield, Inquirer Golf and Julie’s Bakeshop.

Aside from host Philippines, set to arrive are the best junior players of Thailand, Republic of China, Guam, Singapore and Indonesia.

“The competition will be intense because the other foreign countries are sending in their best players. Our local players will definitely have their hands full,” said Luigi Tabuena, president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

Thailand swept both the team awards while the Philippines took the individual titles through Jobim Carlos and Unson in last year’s event at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Batangas.

Format changes this time will feature four age-group competitions with the Class A and Class B for 72 holes and Class C and Class D for 54 holes. JGFP, however, decided to impose handicap limits for all classes.

The tourney officially kicks off the summer circuit of the JGFP around the best courses in Luzon.