A lean but talent-packed women’s field and a deep men’s roster will tee off on Wednesday as the National Golf Association of the Philippines National Stroke Play Championship gets underway at the wide-open Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga.
The women’s field may be small in number, but it boasts some of the country’s brightest young talents, led by Tashana Balangauan, Precious Zaragosa, Crista Therese Minoza, and twins Mona and Lisa Sarines. They will vie for the prestigious title and look to join the tournament’s distinguished list of champions, which includes Rianne Malixi and Mafy Singson.
Minoza dominated the Junior PGT circuit through last year, while Balangauan, Zaragosa, and Mona Sarines have all captured titles in the 15-18 division, making them well-tested for the demands of a 72-hole championship.
Jules Gaerlan enters as the most experienced player in the women’s field, having competed in several Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) events as an amateur over the past few years.
(C) NGAP
On the men’s side, Jet Hernandez and Rolando Bregente headline a large and competitive field after sharing fourth place at the Singapore Amateur Open two weeks ago. Also drawing attention are two second-generation golfers hoping to match the achievements of their fathers.
Zach Villaroman, son of 1984 Philippine Amateur champion Carito Villaroman, is among the players to watch. The elder Villaroman won the national title when the championship featured both stroke play and match play. Now coached by his father, Zach aims to capture the biggest title of his young career.
John Robert Bernis is also seeking to follow in his father’s footsteps. His father, Jun Bernis, starred for Canlubang in the Philippine Airlines Interclub before competing on the Philippine Golf Tour and won the national amateur championship in 2004 at Canlubang. Still in high school, the younger Bernis has already shown the talent to contend for a national crown.
Another intriguing contender is Ralph Batican, Bukidnon’s top amateur and a protégé of Philippine golf legend Frankie Minoza. Honing his game at Del Monte under Minoza’s guidance, the teenage standout has developed into one of the tournament’s most promising contenders.
Missing from the men’s field is Shin Suzuki, who remains in the United States competing in that country’s national championship.
The National Stroke Play Championship marks the first of two major tournaments the NGAP will stage over the next two weeks. It will be followed by the National Match Play Championship at the historic Luisita Golf and Country Club, where Singapore Amateur Open champion Grace Quintanilla, who prevailed in a dramatic five-hole playoff against a Chinese opponent, is expected to compete.
