To make it all the more competitive and in the spirit of inclusivity, the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines National Finals will be graced by champions in the recent Mindanao Open.

At least 25 junior golfers from seven schools in Mindanao battle it out with their Luzon counterparts in the first-ever JGFP Interschool National Finals blasting off on Friday at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna.

Mindanao schools like Abba's Orchard, Oro Christian Grace School, Manolo Fortich High School, Corpus Christi, Xavier University, Rosevale School and Del Monte School will send the region's biggest ever delegation in a Luzon meet.

But Luzon will be backstopped by formidable De la Salle Santiago Zobel in the Middle School, Junior High, and Senior High, while Homeschool Global is the team to beat in the Lower School.

The other participating schools are Xavier School, Immaculate Conception Academy, Ateneo de Manila, Beacon Academy and International School Manila.

Schools represented in the individual competition are Coral na Bato Elementary School, Assumption, Poveda, Everest, Gracewood Academy Noblesse International, Uno High School, Saint Pedro Poveda College, Learning Links Academy, Letran Calamba, Mary Help of Christian College, Imus National High School, Mother Goose Special Science High School and National University Laguna.

Among the standouts seeing action are Nicole Gaisano Gan, Precious Zaragosa, Aerin Chan and Race Phoenix Manhit. The all saw action in the recent Asian Junior Masters.

A total of 120 participants will tee off, shot-gun style, in the morning and the afternoon at the Palmer course.