STA. ROSA, Laguna – It pays to have a golf course of your own.
Brittany Tamayo did not disappoint her coaches and supporters in the family-owned Brittanika Golf Course in Tupi, South Cotabato by winning a major one on Friday, Oct. 4.
She did not only win an important tournament at one of the country’s exclusive but difficult golf courses – The Country Club – but also slew a fancied rival in Aerin Chan in a dramatic duel for the crown in the girls’ 10-12 class.
Inspired by the presence of father John Paul Tamayo, the 12-year-old pride of Notre Dame of Marbel University-Integrated Basic Education Department in Korondal City showed great resolve and pulled off 1-up win on the 19th hole in the ICTSI Junior PGT National Match Play Finals.
Tamayo’s victory highlighted the domination of the regional standouts who reigned in six of eight age divisions.
Other winners were Cebu’s Kvan Alburo and Denise Mendoza who swept the 8-9 age category titles in contrasting styles.
Alburo capped off a dominant campaign, stretching from the Visayas Series to the finals, with a commanding 5&3 win over Quezon City’s Michael Ray Hortel II.
In contrast, Mendoza had to grind out a hard-fought 2&1 win against top seed Winter Serapio from Sampaloc in a highly charged duel for the girls’ crown.
Ralph Batican also emerged victorious, defeating Silang, Cavite’s Vito Sarines, 3&2, to claim the boys’ 10-12 title, while fellow Bukidnon standout Clement Ordeneza followed suit, overpowering Marikina’s Jose Carlos Taruc with a dominant 4&3 performance in the boys’ 13-15 finals.
In the girls’ 16-18 category, Cagayan de Oro’s Ally Gaccion triumphed with a 4&3 victory over Southwoods’ Lia Duque.
The triumphs of the Visayas and Mindanao Series standouts further reinforced the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized series’ mission of uncovering talent from the provinces, with the goal of nurturing, training and developing them into future national team members and potential world-class players.
Meanwhile, top-seed Precious Zaragosa dashed the Sarines siblings’ hopes for a title, sealing a 2-up win over Mona Sarines in the girls’ 13-15 finals, after edging out Mona’s twin sister, Lisa, in a thrilling sudden-death semifinal match in the morning session.
Biñan, Laguna’s Zachary Villaroman saved his best for last, overpowering top seed Mark Kobayashi with an impressive 6&4 victory to capture the boys’ 16-18 crown in the five-month long nationwide series sponsored by ICTSI.
The victories of Batican and Zaragosa also solidified their standing as two of the top junior golfers, having both previously dominated the 11-12 category in last year’s JPGT inaugural event, which followed a stroke-play format.
