DAVAO CITY — AJ Wacan delivered his best performance when it mattered most, powering Philippines-Mindanao to the 13–18 title in the inaugural Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) World Team Championships on Sunday, April 19, at the Apo Golf and Country Club here.
A native of Davao City who considers Apo Golf his home course, Wacan produced the highlights, burying five birdies in a bogey-free final round to help his team win by two strokes over Team Malaysia after three days of action in an event that gathered 150 golfers from 11 nations.
Wacan carded a five-under-par 67 — his second straight round under par after a second-round 69, following an opening-day 78. His teammates provided steady support, with Johanna Blair Uyking shooting 74, Adrian Bisera 79, and David Teves 86, as the event used a three-to-play, four-to-count format.
After three days, Philippines-Mindanao finished with 682, edging Team Malaysia’s Jarvis Liew Zun Xin, Chan Jun Han, Amelia Lee, and Jamie Tan Huan Ying, who combined for 684. The Philippine-NGAP squad of Nicole Gaisano Gan, Geoffrey Tan, Tristan Jefferson Padilla, and Vito Sarines placed third with 694.
“I’m happy to play well in the final two rounds and help our team win the very first championship of the JGFP World Team Championship. We are all proud of what we have accomplished,” said the 16-year-old Wacan, who earned a spot in the boys category at the Asia-Pacific Golf Championship next month in Sri Lanka.
In the girls division, Lois Lane Go of Philippines-Visayas 1 clinched a spot in the APGC after posting the best three-day total of 231 in the tournament organized by the JGFP, sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
In the 9–12 category, the Philippines swept the top three spots, with the Camp Aguinaldo Golf and Country Club squad of Jose Luis Espinosa, Maurysse Abalos, Kamilla Edrianna Del Mundo, and Avery Sytengco finishing with 693. They were followed by the Superkit-backed team with 721 and Team PH with 728.
JGFP president Oliver Gan said staging the maiden tournament would not have been possible without the support of the PSC, NGAP, parents, foreign and local teams, Davao stakeholders, and sponsors including Islandwide, Darlington Socks, and Sotogrande Hotel, the official home base of the event.
“We’re very pleased, we’re very happy with the turnout — 150 players from 11 countries,” said Gan. “Of course we’re very grateful to those who helped us in organizing this inaugural event of the JGFP World Team Championship, which we hope to continue with the second edition next year — bigger and better.
“Our goal remains the same at JGFP: to continue producing world-class golfers from the grassroots level and help our sports officials discover talents that will represent the country in various international competitions like the Olympics, the Asian Games, and the Southeast Asian Games.”
