By: Waylon Galvez
Just like in the past two years, the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines is set to open the new year with its annual tournament down south, as the country’s top young golfers from Mindanao test their skills against standouts from Metro Manila in the JGFP Mindanao Open, which tees off Sunday at Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City.
Johanna Blair Uyking, a finalist in the Philippine Amateur Open, is expected to lead the host team against a stacked field that includes Philippine Amateur champion Lisa Sarines and her siblings Mona and Vito; recently crowned Singapore Island Country Club champion Nicole Gaisano Gan and her sister Stephanie; as well as Enzo Cham, Felix Saludar, Venus delos Santos, and Seth Koa.
Adding firepower to the tournament are entries from South Cotabato, led by Thailand Junior World champion Jared Saban, alongside Brittany Tamayo and Laurence Saban. Also in the mix is Regina Chiu, a Singapore-based Filipino golfer aiming to make her mark in the 18-hole, par-72 championship course of Apo Golf.
JGFP president Oliver Gan said staging the Mindanao Open is part of the foundation’s mission to discover new talents, which is why the tournament—supported by Superkit, golfpinoy.com, Golf Tribune, Gaisano, and Islandwide Distribution Corporation—has become a regular fixture in its annual calendar.
“We’re very excited to again bring the JGFP to Mindanao. This is our third straight year organizing an event that gathers the best talent from the south as they go up against the best from Metro Manila. Our goal remains the same, and that is to continue discovering new talents,” said Gan.
A special division for players aged 19 to 21 will also be contested, featuring Aldrien Gialon, Nino Villasencio, Rainier Tagwalan, Rolly Wacan, and Rex Zaragosa, among others, all vying for top honors.
The tournament carries added significance as a World Amateur Golf Ranking event, giving players the opportunity to earn valuable points and gain international exposure. Adding to the excitement is the one-day Parent and Child tournament on Monday, Jan. 5, where former national team coach Marlon Dizon is expected to tee off.
Last year’s team tournament produced memorable drama, with Uyking and Micah Shin edging Nicole Gan and Elmer Salvador in sudden death.
