RIANNE Malixi, Jaden Dumdumaya, Gan sisters Nicole and Stephanie Gan and 44 other young golfers will aim for the top prize in their respective categories as they compete in the 2023 IMG Academy Junior World Championships in July.
Aside from Malixi, seeing action in the 15-18 girls event set July 11 to 14 at Torrey Pines are Monique Arroyo, Reese Ng, Allethea Gaccion, Grace Quintanilla and Anya Cedo.
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Dumdumaya will play in the boys 15-18 division at Torrey Pines, along with Bobe Salahog, Santino Pineda, Jacob Cajita and Zachary Castro.
Playing in the boys’ 13-14 category at Rancho Bernardo Heights also on July 11-13 are Geoffrey Tan, Tristan Jefferson Padilla, Patrick Tambalque and Rafael Leonio, while vying for honors in the girls division are Celine Abalos, Alessandra Luciano, Tashanah Balangauan and Isabella Tabanas.
At The Heights Golf Course in San Diego, Ralph Rian Batican, Zianbeau Edoc, David Teves, Anton Zingapan and Mico Ungco play in the 11-12 boys’ class, while Nicole Gan, Lisa Sarines, Precious Zaragosa, Brittany Tamayo and Mona Sarines play in the girls’ side.
Vito Sarines, Race Phoenix Manhit, Chan Ahn and Jared Saban vie for honors in the 9-10 boys section as Cailey Chanelle Gonzales, Janae Galo, Aerin Chan and Rafella Adrienne Batican play in the girls’ side.
Action is set July 11 to 13 at the Singing Hills Pine Glenn and Pine Oak courses at Sycuan Resort from in El Cajon, California, with Alonzo Retuerto, Scott Dee, Kenji Yamada seeking the top spots in the 7-8 boys division, and Kami Del Mundo, Brie Macasaet and Eliana Mendoza competing in the girls side.
Kenzo Tan, Zoji Edoc and Lucas De Guzman play in the 6-under boys, while Stephanie Gan and Winter Serapio see action in the 6-under girls’ class.
Former jungolf champion and Philippine Open winner Artemio Murakami is head coach of the Philippine contingent.
“We feel that with the roster we have right now, we feel that we have a strong chance of winning,” said Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) president Oliver Gan, a former golf consultant at the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) under former chairman Baham Mitra.
“We know that it’s not going to be easy because the level of competition is very high… but we know our players are at par in terms of skills and talent, and they are prepared for the event,” added Gan.
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