By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Ana Marie Aguilar’s decisive frontside charge propelled her to victory in the 8-9 category of the ICTSI-Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Visayas Series 3 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club on Tuesday afternoon, July 2.
Aguilar, who shot a frontside 52 to finish with 109 and 229 total, emerged triumphant from a three-way tie with Faith Reosura and Aria Montelibano to earn her a place in the Philippine Junior Match Play Championship in October.
“I’m very happy that I’ll be going to Manila,” said Aguilar, expressing gratitude to her family for their support.
“I’m going to keep practicing for the national finals, particularly on my driving and putting,” she added.
Aguilar secured her spot in the national finals with 27 points, behind Eliana Mendoza, winner of the Iloilo and Bacolod legs of the regional series, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., taking the first slot with 30 points.
In the boys’ 8-9 category, Tobias Tiongko clinched the championship with 86 for 179 total, overcoming a three-stroke deficit with a frontside 44.
James Rolida, unable to recover from a 49 start, finished with 95 for 185.
Tiongko, who also placed third in the Bacolod City leg last week, amassed 25 points and joined division topnotcher Kvan Alburo, who dominated the first two legs with 30 points.
“I trusted myself and I tried very hard to win,” said Tiongko, a Homeschool Global student from Cebu.
“I’ll focus on my irons and short game, and I will practice more to get better for the finals,” he added.
Also gaining slots in the national finals are Race Manhit and Kurt Flores (boys’ 10-12), and Cailey Gonzales and Zuri Bagaloyos (girls’ 10-12), all of whom secured slots in the 72-player Match Play cast.
Manhit, an Ateneo student, dominated with 76 to finish with 154, outclassing Rafael Alvarez (94-190) and Isaac Locsin (102-203).
He finished with 30 points, while Flores secured the other finals slot with 27 points.
Maurysse Abalos clinched the girls’ 10-12 class with a dramatic last-hole birdie, finishing with 80 to top Kelsey Bernardino by two strokes.
Bernardino, who tied with Abalos heading to the par-5 18th, bogeyed from eight feet, ending with 82 for 168 total.
Chelsea Ogborne finished third with 212 in total.
The top performers will compete in the national finals of the series, sponsored by ICTSI, set from October 1 to 4 at The Country Club in Laguna./ASC, WDJ