Gamolo, Mariano rule PGF junior golf at Del Monte

MANILA, Philippines - Jelbert Gamolo fired impressive rounds of 74 and 68 for a runaway win in boys Class A even as Pamela Mariano also routed her opponents in the distaff side in the Mindanao leg of the Philippine Golf Foundation Junior Masters Series at the Del Monte Golf Club course in San Miguel, Bukidnon.

Gamolo’s two-under-par aggregate of 142 – the best score in the four-leg nationwide elimination series – gave him a six-shot win over Jansen Morilla, who tallied rounds of 74 and 74 for a 148 aggregate.

They thus clinched the two spots disputed in their division with Mariano, firing 79-75-153 and runner-up Rhea Mae Langamin (87-85-172) taking the girls’ slots of the 16-player Mindanao contingent that will see action in the match play national finals May 21-24 at the Alabang Country Club.

Martina and Almica Miñoza, members of a big golfing clan in Bukidnon, also qualified by finishing 1-2 in girls Class C with their 163 and 182 totals, respectively.

Marlon Santiago and Aaron Anasoc were the  boys qualifiers while Rainstar Roque and  Steffi Oberiano claimed the girls’ slots in Class B. Jacob Rolida and Joshua Salcedo bagged the Class C berths. In Class D, Rolando Bregente Jr. and Niño Miñoza made it as boys’ bets while Fiona Bajao and Marie Aparilla qualified as girls reps. 

The 16 qualifiers from Del Monte will join the other survivors from the previous legs at Camp John Hay, Cebu Country Club and Splendido in the culmination of the inaugural PGF Junior Masters which will use the matchplay format.

JGFP president Luigi Tabuena, who supervised the Del Monte leg, said the Big City bets will have their hands full against the qualifiers of the two provincial legs. 

“They are being trained well by their home clubs and will definitely give their Luzon rivals a big challenge,” he said.

The results:

Class A – Jelbert Gamolo 74-68-142, Jansen Morilla 74-74-148, Ramir Roque 77-75-152 (Boys); Pamela Mariano 79-75-153 Rhea Mae Langamin 87-85-172, Carrie Sytiongso 95-91-186 (Girls).

Class B – Marlon Santiago 86-78-164, Aaron Anasoc 91-91-182, Kobt Quinlog 94-94-188 (Boys); Rainstar Roque 83-82-165, Steffi Oberiano 98-96-194, Alfa Mae Minoza 104-119-223 (Girls).

Class C – Jacob Rolida 86-87-173, Joshua Salcedo 98-96-194, Rolida Ryu 95-103-198 (Boys); Martina Minoza 79-84-163, Almica Minoza 97-85-182,  Cyra Abano 109-118-227 (Girls).

Class D –  Rolando Bregente Jr 88-90-178, Nino Minoza 96-92-188, Hwang Sepng hyeon 99-95-194 (Boys); Fiona Andrea Bajao 80-83-172, Marie Aparilla 104-108-212, Kaira Rolida 142-151-293 (Girls).