Phl Junior Am Closed golf to unfold tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Junior Amateur Closed Championships get going tomorrow with a compact but talented field clashing for top honors in the boys and girls’ divisions at the Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club in Cavite.

National pool members Rupert Zaragosa and Gabriel Manotoc headline the centerpiece boys’ 17-under category even as the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines put up special divisions to give other age-groupers the experience of playing in big-time tournaments on a championship course.

A division for campaigners 13 years old and below and 17-21 years old for both boys and girls are on tap in the 72-hole event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation and forming part of the PLDT Group Amateur golf tour.

“The NGAP sees this tournament as a chance to be able to see more talent, hence, the special divisions,” said NGAP president Tommy Manotoc. “You can only see major talent in major competitions and in major golf courses.

“And the NGAP is happy at the turnout of participants.”

Basti Lorenzo and AR Ramos are both expected to crowd Zaragosa and Manotoc for top honors even as crack ICTSI mainstays Princess Superal, Pauleen Del Rosario and new recruit Abegail Arevalo banner the girls cast in the event backed by Pancake House, Nike, Golf Depot and Pacsports.

Manotoc and Zaragosa figured in a fierce duel in the Phl Junior Am Open last month when both disqualified themselves after the 15th hole of the third round for hitting each other’s balls.

Regan de Guzman, the long-hitting US NCAA standout, is in town to play in the 17-21 girls’ division where she will go up against the likes of Marvi Monsalve and Andrea Unson.

De Guzman is here for a long vacation and will play for the Philippines in the Putra Cup later this month also at Sherwood, the NGAP’s official home.

Pamela Mariano, Daniela Uy and Bianca Pagdanganan are all entered in the main girls’ division.