Junior golfers hope to duplicate ’13 feat

SAN DIEGO, California – The Philippines sets out for the Callaway Junior World championships, upbeat of its chances to duplicate its double victory in the 13-14 age bracket when the 47th edition of the annual event is fired off Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) here.

Pauline del Rosario of Team ICTSI and Kristoffer Arevalo, who delivered the twin victories for the Filipinos last year, will move up to the next age-bracket but still confident of dishing out the form for another crack at the crown together with at least six more strong prospects honed by a busy summer campaign and exposure events in various parts of the US the past two weeks.

It was the 15-year-old Del Rosario who was given the honor to carry the Philippine colors in the opening ceremony at the Torrey Pines grounds on Sunday (Monday in Manila), leading the way for her compatriots who are just as bent on winning the 12 division titles to be disputed over the next four days.

Del Rosario turned herself into a championship contender in her new division with a masterful three-stroke victory in the Future Champions of Golf (FCG) International championships Friday at the Sycuan Oak Glen Course for her fourth international win this year.

Delegation head Luigi Tabuena, president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, believes there could be more than three contenders for the girls 15-17 years plum, giving as much chances to seasoned bets like Princess Superal, Daniella Uy and Miya Legaspi. “We’re very strong in this division and hopefully, any of them including the three other entries would deliver,” said Tabuena after supervising the Filipinos participation in the parade that featured 50 countries which is fielding 1,200 players into what is considered the biggest golf competition in the world which has 11 host venues.

Annyka Pineda Cayabyab was also in the parade frontline for a similar victory in the FCG’s girls 9-10 years Riverwalk Golf Club.

Also in delegation in the well-attended parade were boys 15-17 years top bet Rupert Zaragosa, who will be making his final appearance in the tourney.