The much-awaited Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines Interschool Championship kicks off this weekend with the action in the Junior High School and Senior High School at the Caliraya Springs and Eagle Ridge, respectively.

Considered the biggest grassroots tournament in the country, the Interschool will also coincide with the inaugural JGFP Mindanao Interschool blasting off later this month.

Junior High will start Saturday, while Senior High will begin on Sunday.

Lower School competitions will begin 22 October at the Riviera, while the Middle School programs commence 14 October at Club Intramuros.

Culminating events on all categories with be held at Eagle Ridge. Lower School and Middle School will be on 2 and 3 December, while JHS and SHS will be on 27-28 January.

"This is the biggest staging of the JGFP Interschool with the Mindanao leg being held simultaneously," said JGFP president Oliver Gan.

"I'd like to thank the parents for their continued support to their children as well as the participating schools."

Gan also extended gratitude to the efforts of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour and the National Golf Association of the Philippines Juniors.

"They (JPGT and NGAP) helped us grow the game and sharpen the children's skills," Gan said, referring to the series of age-group events the golfing bodies staged held over the past months.

This year's Interschool had a massive build-up over with warm-up tournaments held at the partner courses.

The Mindanao leg has also opened its registration, according to Gan, and will begin by this month.

"Our idea was for the winners of the Mindanao leg to take part in the National Interschool finals next year. But we are still finalizing everything," Gan said.

"Right now we are just thrilled to announce that our Interschool has finally reached beyond Metro Manila as we aspire to tap the rich golfing talents across the country."