MANILA, Philippines – A total of 37 teams, including seven international squads, start their bid in the 2025 edition of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) Inter-Club championship from April 11 to 13 at the Mimosa Plus Golf Course in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.
Thailand fields in four teams in the annual tournament, while Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam have one each as they vie for the titles in the 12-and-under juniors division and the 13-18 seniors category.
A total of 30 teams come from different local clubs, and according to JGFP president Oliver Gan, 14 will come from the Visayas region, 10 from Luzon, and six from Mindanao.
“We’re again excited to have our yearly Inter-Club tournament, which is expected to be an exciting tournament considering we have seven teams from four countries,” said Gan.
The event is a crucial moment for the foundation, he said, noting this is the first time that the tournament will have teams from abroad — a historic feat as young Filipino golfers will battle against the up-and-coming players from the said visiting countries.
The addition of teams from Mindanao in the competition highlights the region’s growing prominence, added Gan, who also acknowledged the support of EastWest Bank as the JGFP partner for this meet and Elite Grips, which will give free grips and caps to all 155 participants.
Mindanao’s standout players, including Adrian Bisera and AJ Wacan from Davao City, Rainer Tigwalan from General Santos City, and Mhark Fernando III from Zamboanga City, will showcase their talents on a global stage. Local golf clubs, such as Del Monte and Brittannika, have also formed and supported teams for the prestigious event.
Gan said the JGFP Inter-Club’s international expansion delivers a strong message that the Philippines is no longer a passive observer in global golf but an active, rising participant.
With this momentum, the future of junior golf in the country is brighter than ever, Gan added, noting that the JGFP’s commitment to developing the next generation of golfers is just the beginning of a new era for Philippine golf. – Rappler.com