South Cotabato golf prospects impress as JPGT Apo begins

DAVAO – Rainier Tagwalan edged out Adrian Bisera in a close finish in separate flights at the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series here Tuesday, bucking a double bogey on No. 8 to card a 76 and wrest a one-stroke lead in the boys’ 16-18 category.

Competing at the demanding Apo Golf and Country Club course for the first time at the JPGT, Tagwalan, hailing from South Cotabato, overcame a rough start of three bogeys in the first 11 holes from the back, birdying the par-5 third hole but ending with a wet double bogey on the eighth, concluding his round with two 38s.

In the following flight, Bisera initially seized the lead with a birdie on the first hole, followed by five pars after a backside 39 marked by a pitch-in eagle on No. 10 but marred by a triple bogey on the 14th.

But the youngest of the Bisera golfing clan, Adrian faltered in the final stretch, bogeying the last three holes for a 77, enabling Tagwalan to secure the lead in what is expected to be a highly competitive tournament, spread over 72 holes and featuring some of the siblings of professional golfers.

Aldrien Gialon, brother of Philippine Golf Tour player Zanieboy, also made an early bid with a 78 at the softened layout, while, Kenly Wacan from Davao missed joining Tagwalan at the top after a triple bogey on the par-5 No. 6, finishing with a 79.

“I found it challenging and nerve-wracking as it was my first time playing at Apo and JPGT,” said the 16-year-old Tagwalan in Pilipino, who developed his skills at the Brittannika Golf Course in Tupi, South Cotabato.

In the 10-12 category, Jared Saban and Brittany Tamayo, who also call the Brittannika course their home, led their respective groups. Jared, son of touring pro Elmer, scored an 85, leading his cousin Laurence Saban by six strokes.

“My game wasn’t too bad,” said Jared Saban, who highlighted his 43-42 round with a birdie on No. 10. Following a tied 50th finish at the Junior World in San Diego, the 11-year-old from South East Asian Institute of Technology is aiming for more birdies in the final round of the 36-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

But Laurence Saban, who carded a 91, is determined to recover and rebound in the