Cousins AJ and Mary Rose Wacan took turns hitting balls at the driving range while preparing for the 2023 JGFP Davao Championships at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City Thursday morning.

They were among a dozen Apo-bred golfers who entered the four-day event that served as part of the grassroots development program of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

It was easy to spot them. They shared one corner, taking turns to hit while club pro Edgar Ababa watched intently.

"AJ and Mary Rose are two of my best talents," said Ababa, a three-time winner in the pro tour before he retired.

AJ is 13 years old while Mary Rose is 12. They are children of Apo club workers. They skipped school for a rare chance to play in a tournament of this magnitude.

Organizers have waived the tournament fees for children of caddies and other club workers. They also provided loot bags containing snacks, one reason why some of them had to leave the range to collect the gifts on Thursday.

Ever since the National Golf Association of the Philippines discontinued its grassroots program due to the pandemic, Ababa has taken the responsibility of teaching the kids with the help of well-meaning club members.

However, because of the pandemic, junior golfers honed their skills only at the range until the club began hosting a monthly tournament for them.

Last October, through the initiative of Rep. Paolo Duterte and the Soleil Café and Driving Range at Apo Golf, a tournament was held among children of club employees and workers.

The board also started granting playing privileges to five promising players aged between 15 and 17 years old last month, according to Ababa.

He said AJ has written the board to be given the same privilege.

Apo's hosting of the JGFP event is seen as a big step in the right direction and Ababa hopes that more youngsters in Mindanao will take up the sport.

Apo's pool of promising golfers has shrunk from 30 to 14, prompting Ababa to be creative to keep his students entertained.

One time, Ababa said he drilled holes in the landing areas of the range to serve as a makeshift course.

"We can do that on days when the range is empty," he said.

The holding of monthly tournaments for junior golfers at Apo has given hope to the children of caddies and golf workers.

Eight of the golf sets provided for by the NGAP are still in use and shared by everybody.

Ababa said some club members have donated sets for use by the children.

Golf shoes remain a prized commodity for these kids,

AJ will go into the tournament on Friday using ordinary rubber shoes. He has one golf glove, a prize he won for winning a tournament.

AJ and Mary Rose, like many of their peers, see golf as an opportunity to get out of poverty. Both want to become professionals someday.

Kim Baroquillo, a 10-year-old find from South Pacific Golf Club, can consider herself lucky for having a golf benefactor.

American Larry Creighton, who is married to the sister of Kim's mother, is helping her fulfill her dreams of getting a college scholarship in the United States.

"She used to ride the cart while I was playing golf. Then she started hitting shots," Creighton recalled.

Coach Budok Alferez took Baroquillo under her wings less than a year ago and watched the girl develop into a promising golfer.

"She has the drive and the talent to reach her dream," said Alferez who used to oversee NGAP's grassroots program with Ababa at Apo.

Creighton describes Alferez as one of the best junior golf coaches.

The American, who has two sons who became tour players, sees strong potential in Baroquillo and a bright future for Philippine junior golf.

"Seeing how many are playing here is a good indication of the future ahead," he said.