3-year-old paces JGFP Christmas winners

DAVAO CITY — Three-year-old Rain Dalisay made history on Sunday, winning a four-player playoff in the boys’ 6-and-under division to become the youngest champion in the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) Christmas tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Dalisay, who likely doesn’t yet know how to count, sank a five-foot putt during the second round of the playoff, earning a thunderous cheer from the crowd. His victory is a shining example of the success of the JGFP’s “Golf for All” program.

“The growing number of juniors taking up the sport is a good sign. Our program is working, and we need all the help we can get,” said JGFP president Oliver Gan, who also expressed gratitude to world No. 3 amateur Rianne Malixi for attending the event. “Rianne has been a great role model for the youth. She’s our ambassadress.”

Malixi, the reigning US Women’s and US Girls champion, helped distribute trophies to the winners. The day’s top performer was Ethan Lago, who scored 56 points to win the boys’ 7-8 division. Other standout winners included non-Davao golfers Isabella Tabanas, Rainier Tagwalan, and Laurence Saban, who claimed victory in their respective divisions.

The final standings:

15-18 (girls) — Xylie Julienne Mabale 25, Jada Ebacuado 25, Margaux Ysabella Mabale 9

15-18 (boys) — Rainier Tagwalan 52, Nino Villacencio 51, Aldrien Gialon 48, John Rey Oro 47, AJ Wacan 47, John Paul Oro 47, Travis Cadungog 45, Jevan Lachica 45, Josephous Gadingan 43, Eddie Gonzales 43, Adrian Bisera 40, Gian Matthew Bullecer 38, Kenly Wacan 36, Jon Ortega 33, Mhel Andro 29, Michael Jude Albina 27, Liam Marcus Te 26, Alanis Intong 26, Khaeden Redillas 23, Caleb Go 21, Ralf Andersson 20, Joaquin Maranon 20, Bernard Bisera 19, Trent Ong 18, Chuze Ang 18, Antonio Benito Rabat 16

13-14 (girls) — Isabella Tabanas 52, Merry Rose Wacan 52, Alexei Isabella Gabi 41

13-14 (boys) — Guio Pasquil 43, Hisham Gampong 36, Felix Bula III 33, Louie Remolador 32, Elijah Erwin Lozada 28, Dionysius Albina 26, Dexter Equi 25, Kristoff James Decendario 22, Victor Miguel Agduma 18, Markus Santino Rabat 13, Heaven Ababa 9

11-12 (girls) — Kimberly Baroquillo 54, Solana Jay Molde 42, Ayla Pavadora 31, Atasha Elize Naranjo 28, Gia Klarisse Bullecer 18, Yelena Babol 16, Althea Selter Villaber 9, Yna Tan 9

11-12 (boys) — Laurence Saban 45, Prince Bisera 29, Scionvirje Recto 26, Nathaniel Marko Fuentes 26, Iago Alisonorin 17, Ramjen Ababa 14, Arthur Benjamin Garcia 10

9-10 (girls) — Snoe Dalisay 57, Kim Lorraine Panaguiton 43, Merrel Angel Salvador 35, Jamie Salazar 27, Arianna Coleen Ang 27

9-10 (boys) — Daniel de Luna 40, Aison Bagares 30, Travis Ausin 25, Rory Bisera 25, Kaeden Zach Samarro 22, Joseph Tangtatco 22, Kristoff Romeo Fuentes 20, Marcus Habagat 19, Matt Azik Mendaros 15, Drake Gaisano 10, Seth Bastes 9

7-8 (girls) — Soleil Molde 47, Stephanie Gan 37, Arianna Isobel Garcia 18

7-8 (boys) — Ethan Lago 56, Lucas Miguel Revilleza 49, Raven John Jumawan 39, Inigo Montalban 29, Chevy Hernandez 21, Chase Abella 19, Jhob Bastes 17, Thiago Maurice Babol 13, Luke Ansaldo 10

6-and-under (girls) — Kassandra Amelia Morente 40, Zoey Mascarinas 39, Rundhea Reeniz Martizano 11

6-and-under (boys) — Rain Dalisay, Drake Paclar, Lian Bitte, Kalel Corinth.