Golf: Del Rosario, Arevalo capture titles in Callaway Junior World meet

The Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines celebrated the twin victories of Pauline del Rosario and Kristoffer Arevalo as both swept the girls’ and boys’ 13-14 age group division, respectively, in the 2013 Callaway Junior World Championships held in separate courses on Thursday (Friday, PHL time) in San Diego, California.
                

Del Rosario, returning to the junior world competition after a three-year, self-imposed break, finished with a four-under-par 68 for 206, with her birdie on the 18th as the clincher to her come-from-behind win over Haley Moore in the 54-hole competition (70-207) at The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo.
                
“It was unexpected,” described del Rosario. “I never imagined I would even be in the top five as there were a lot of good players in my division so I’m very happy to get the title this year. I would like to thank ICTSI boss Ricky Razon, coach Bong Lopez, my family and friends for a wonderful campaign this year.”
                
Arevalo, despite a double bogey on number 15, came away with the crown after he canned four birdies in a five-hole stretch starting from the sixth. He had a 204 aggregate while Thailand’s Pinuit Anupansuebsai settled for runner-up honors with a six-under-par 66 for 207 at the Morgan Run Resort and Club.
                
"It's a great and happy day for Philippine junior golf,.Kristoffer and Pauline have again proven that we can be world champions even with our limited resources. It's the trademark Filipino fighting spirit shining through," said JGFP president Luigi Tabuena, who with chairman Gerry Handog, have been the prime movers of jungolf.
                
Daniella Uy, Princess Superal and Bianca Pagdanganan lurked behind the leaders in the premiere girls’ 15-17 category and a possible success by any of the three is not far off. Uy (70-214), Superal (71-218) and Pagdanganan (70-218), as they trailed Mariel Galdiano (69-208) at the Torrey Pines’ North course.
                
Uy and Superal will shoot for the country's first-ever team win when they start five shots ahead of Japan, 432-437 on Friday. Rupert Zaragosa and Raymart Tolentino are 12 strokes behind the leading US team of Rico Hoey and Aaron Wise.
                
Tabuena also cited the strong performances in the other divisions, including Jed Dy who tied for fourth, and Eagle Ace Superal who landed fifth in the boys’ and girls’ 9-10 years, respectively. Aidric Chan also shared fourth place in the boys’ 11-12, Bernice Ilas tied for sixth, Sam Bruce tied for ninth in the girls’ 11-12,  and Anya Cedo finished seventh in the girls’ 6-under.
                
A total of 38 junior golfers took part in this year’s annual meet, which attracted thousands of entries from 56 countries worldwide. - AMD, GMA News