Filipino junior golfers bag 3 golds, 1 silver in Guam

FILIPINO junior golfers topped three divisions in the 3rd BMW Guam Junior Golf League Tournament held Dec. 17 and 18 at the Leo Palace Resort in Yoña, Guam.

Aidric Chan ruled the boys’ 10-and-under division, Kyla Nocum topped the girls’ 10-and-under class while Arnie Taguines won the girls’ 8-and-under crown.

Samantha Martirez, meantime, placed second in the girl’s 14-and-under in the annual event which lured junior golfers from Guam, Saipan, Marianas, Micronesia, Korea and the Philippines.

“Na inspire po ako sa nagawa ni Kuya John Lester (Lagman) kahit natamaan siya ng bola ay tinapos pa din niya ang torneo sa Malaysia,” said Aidric, referring to the bronze medal finish of his best friend who averted a medal shut-out for thr Pinoys in Malaysia by winning a bronze medal in the 10th Sutera Harbour Junior Amateur Open 2011 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia last Dec. 5 to 6.

“Kaya talagang pinagbutihan ko laro ko dito sa Guam at nagbunga naman po,” added Aidric, also the 2010 champion who is celebrating his 11th birthday on Dec. 23.

John Lester failed to compete in this year’s 3rd BMW Guam Juniors due to an earlier commitment to play in the Secretary of National Defense Golf Cup at the Veterans Golf Club in Quezon City.

The Philippine junior golfers are also preparing for the junior world qualifying slated April 2012 in San Diego and the US Kids Qualifying tour on May. They will also play in the Philippine International Jungolf Tournament next month in Manila.  /Correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO