Batangas: The country's top and rising young players are set to join the Junior Philippine Golf Tour, featuring the same two-series format for Luzon and Visayas-Mindanao contenders.
According to Philippines News Agency, all eyes are set on the prestigious North vs. South Elite Junior Finals later this year, where the best of each region will once again battle for supremacy. To maximize participation and performance, the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. has scheduled the competition during the summer months. This adjustment allows student-athletes to fully commit to competition without the burden of missing school, a major challenge in previous editions when tournaments were held during the academic year.
The shift also addresses persistent weather concerns. Last year, several legs were disrupted or postponed due to the rainy season, affecting momentum and overall scheduling. The dual-series format kicks off simultaneously, with the Luzon leg opening April 6 to 8 at Mt. Malarayat in Lipa City, Batangas, while the Visayas-Mindanao campaign begins April 8 to 10 at Mactan Island in Cebu.
The Vis-Min series continues from April 13 to 15 at Alta Vista in Cebu, while Luzon players head to Summit Point in Lipa from April 14 to 16. The Tour then moves north to Baguio, with John Hay Golf Club hosting the third Luzon leg from April 28 to 30, as Vis-Min players compete at Del Monte in Bukidnon from April 29 to May 1.
Subsequent stops include Sherwood Hills in Cavite (May 4 to 6) and Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro (May 5 to 7), followed by Riviera and Bacolod. The final eliminations will be held at Eagle Ridge for Luzon and Negros Occidental for Vis-Min.
Each series features six legs played across premier championship courses, offering young golfers a true test of skill, consistency, and mental toughness. The JPGT is open to players aged 7 to 18 and follows a stroke play format for both boys and girls. Competitions in the 7-10 and 11-14 divisions will be contested over 36 holes, while the premier 15-18 category will be played over 54 holes.
Participants may compete in only one regional series, choosing either where they reside or were born. Points are awarded to the top eight finishers in each division per leg, with trophies given to the top three. As the race toward the North vs. South Finals intensifies, players can join multiple legs, but only their best three results will count toward their final ranking, provided they compete in at least three tournaments.
At stake are coveted spots in the Elite Junior Finals set for Sept. 15 to 18 at The Country Club, where the top four players in each age category from both Luzon and Vis-Min will face off. The North won last year's title.
