By NIMROD NL QUIÑONES
Weiwei Gao and LKois Kaye Go set the early pace in their respective classes at the start of the 10th Junior Golf Challenge played at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Pardo, Cebu City Wednesday.
Gao of the host club fired an even-par 70 strokes on the course that has not been shortened in terms of distance but only in relation to the number of strokes for par. Holes 9 and 18, which normally play as par-5s have been converted into par-4s for this three-day event.
Running second in class A is JJ Gamolo of Pueblo de Oro with three-over-par 73 while defending champion Gen Nagai of Cebu Country Club is at third with 75 strokes.
LK Go of CCC leads the girls class A with 74 strokes followed by Ericka Lim of Alta Vista with 79 strokes. Running third is defending champion Pamela Mariano of Del Monte with 80 strokes.
In class B (13-14 years old) Ira Christian Alido of Navy Golf holds the lead with an opening round of 72 strokes.
Running second is Jets Sajulga of Pueblo de Oro with 76 followed by Weiyu Gao of Alta Vista with 77. One stroke further back is Rusell Bautista of Mactan with 78.
In the distaff side, Alta Vista’s Junia Gabasa bucked a disastrous 10 on the 11th hole to set the pace with 11-over-par 81 strokes.
Martina Miñoza of Del Monte runs second with 85 while at third is Angela Mangana of Mactan with 88.
In the special division for players aged 18 to 21 years old, Alta Vista’s Aris Mata scored 80 strokes to lead. At second is King Abarintos also of the host club with 89.
In the girls division, Gabee Crystal of the host club fired 79 strokes to lead her twin siste Mikylah, who fired 86.
Action in the younger categories will start Thursday as only classes A and B as well as the special division will be playing 54 holes.
The Challenge is the annual junior golf tournament of Alta Vista.
