Ana Marie Aguilar (Photo courtesy of PGT)
MANILA – Ana Marie Aguilar topped the girls' 8-9 category of the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) Visayas Series 3 at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club on Tuesday to qualify for the Philippine Junior Match Play Championship in October.
“I’m very happy that I’ll be going to Manila,” Aguilar, who finished with a 109 and a 229 total, said in a news release. “I’m going to keep practicing for the national finals, particularly on my driving and putting.”
Aguilar, niece of former top amateur and Ladies PGT campaigner Anya Tanpinco, earned 27 points to advance to the national finals, behind Eliana Mendoza, who garnered 30 points after winning the Iloilo and Bacolod legs.
Meanwhile, Tobias Tiongko made it to the finals after ruling the boys' 8-9 category with an 86 for a 179 total. He secured 25 points to join division leader Kvan Alburo, who earned 30 points from his two-leg victory.
“I trusted myself and I tried very hard to win. I’ll focus on my irons and short game and will practice more to get better for the finals,” Tiongko, a Homeschool Global student from Cebu, said.
Also gaining slots to the national finals were Race Manhit and Kurt Flores (boys’ 10-12), and Cailey Gonzales and Zuri Bagaloyos (girls’ 10-12).
Manhit of Ateneo had a 76 to finish with a 154 and prevail over Rafael Alvarez (94-190) and Isaac Locsin (102-203). He earned 30 points while Flores got 27 points.
The national finals will be held on Oct. 1 to 4 at The Country Club in Laguna. (PNA)
