Bacolod’s Oro, Iloilo’s Sinfuego eye back-to-back jr golf titles

Hometown bet John Rey Oro will aim for back-to-back wins in the ICTSI-JPGT (Junior Philippine Golf Tour) Visayas Series which starts Monday at Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin, Murcia.

Out to stop Oro’s title campaign in the premier boys’ 16-18 category to be contested over 72 holes are Keith Pagalan, Simon Wahing and Coby Langamin from Manolo Fortich High School in Bukidnon, who are all preparing for the four-leg JPGT Mindanao Series next month.

Cavite’s Patrick Tambalque, a category winner in last year’s JPGT national finals, is another title contender in the first of two Bacolod tournaments that make up the three-leg JPGT Visayas Series.

Oro, 17, won the Iloilo kickoff by six strokes over twin brother John Paul on Thursday.

Iloilo’s Rhiena Sinfuego, also the opening leg winner, is expected to face a strong challenge from Evonne Gotiong, Mikaela Ledesma, Jamela Robles, Breanna Rojas and Necky Tortosa in the girls’ class.

Inno Flores and Alexie Gabi lead the boys’ and girls’ 13-15 division covering 54 holes, while Kurt Flores and Cailey Gonzales (10-12) and Kvan Alburo and Eliana Mendoza (8-9) will also compete over 36 holes.

Aside from the titles, the winners are seeking slots to the national match play finals in October after the 14-leg nationwide circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

The next Bacolod event will be on July 1 to 4 at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club course, the former Marapara layout, in Bata Subdivision.* (Jean Malanum, PNA)