For our jungolfers the number 1 major championship they face every year is the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship held in San Diego California. There are twelve divisions where the kids compete in, namely: Boys 6 and under, Boys 7 to 8, Boys 9 to 10, Boy 11 to 12, Boys 13 to 14, Boys 15 to 17, Girls 6 and under, Girls 7 to 8, Girls 9 to 10, Girls 11 to 12, Girls 13 to 14, Girls 15 to 17. Representing the Philippines are some of the best and brightest from our junior golf programs throughout the country. The Philippines has always done well in the Callaway Junior WGC producing many future top ranked amateurs and professionals. Just as in the past, much is expected from our juniors this year.
According to Jungolf Dad Bobbet Bruce (father to Nikki – girls 13 to 14 and Sam – girls 9 to 10) there are 4 strong Filipino contenders to win – Jed Dy (Boys 6 under), Miya Legaspi (Girls 11-12), Princess Superal (Girls 13-14) and Bernice Olivarez (Girls 7-8). Of course in the main division for Boys (15 to 17) big named stars like Marcel Puyat, Miguel Tabuena and Jobim Carlos and for Girls (15 to 17) like Dottie Ardina, and Ma. Andrea Unson are also expected to give their all.
After the first two rounds, Team Philippines finds itself in the thick of the fight. Jed Dy, a 6 year old who is crazy long off the tee for his age is at 8-over, a mere stroke behind leader Jason Xie of Canada. Like Dy, Princess Superal finds herself only 1 back of the Girls 13 to 14 leader, Eimi Koga of Honolulu in a tie for 2nd at one over par. Division Girls 7 to 8 is providing the best opportunity for our par busters to win as three girls are in the top 10 led by Missy Legaspi (T2, +5), Bernice Olivarez (T4, +7) and Nicole Abelar (T8, +12), though they do have some catching up to do against leader Natasha Oon from Malaysia who is sitting at only +1. Mia Legaspi though is not doing too well in Girls 11 to 12 as she sits at +15 in a tie for 26th. Worse, she is 21 strokes back of leader Lilia Vu of Fountain Valley California who is lapping the field with a 6 under total (6 strokes ahead of her nearest pursuer).
In other divisions, Team Philippines is also putting up good scores. In Boys 11 to 12, Ruperto Zaragosa is tied for 2nd at -5, two back of Brad Dalke from Texas. In Girls 6 and under, Arnie Taguines sits at 6th place, +22 but is still in great position to win as she is only 3 back of joint leaders Amari Avery of California and Silvia Brunotti of New Zealand. These kids below 15 have one round to go to make comebacks and would hopefully wrestle the crowns in their respective divisions.
In the premier 15 to 17 divisions, there are still two rounds left for Team Philippines to notch scores. In the Girls 15 to 17, Ma. Andrea Unson and Dottie Ardina find themselves in a tie for 7th at 1-over, 5 back of leader Gabriela Lopez of Mexico. In the boys side, the highest ranked Filipino is Miguel Tabuena in a tie for 13th at +3, a whopping 9 back of leader Jorge Valdes of Argentina, with Jobim Carlos 1t 19th and Marcel Puyat at T-27.
There is still a lot of golf to be played. Anything can still happen. Let us hope that Team Philippines brings home the hardware and further stamp the Philippines as a power in junior golf.
Mabuhay kayo!!!!
UPDATE:
According to Bobbet Bruce the following are the results for Team Philippines in the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship:
“Rupert Zaragosa Jr. won over local boy Norman Xiong to win the title in the Boys Class C (11-12 years old) division in the 2010 Callaway Junior World Golf Championships.
The Philippines took trophies with the finishes of Princess Superal (2nd, Girls Class B), Bernice Olivarez (2nd, Girls Class E) and Jed Dy (Boys 2nd, Class F), Miguel Tabuena (5th, Boys Class A) and Dottie Ardina (6th, Girls Class A)”
Great job Team Philippines!!! We are proud of all the winners and the members of the team. You have done us proud.
Thank you for mentioning my niece Lilia Vu in your article. Our family are very proud of her =)
She has a great future ahead of her. Good luck on her future endeavors.