MACTAN, Cebu — Homegrown talents aim to make the most of their course familiarity as the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship gets under way on Monday at the par-72 Mactan Island Golf Course here, launching the Visayas-Mindanao series of the nationwide Junior Philippine Golf Tour.

The event, the first of seven regional legs, stakes crucial ranking points across three age-group divisions for coveted spots in the North vs South Elite Junior Finals later this year. These will bring together the top performers from both the VisMin and Luzon circuits, with the latter’s first three legs held last month at Eagle Ridge, Sherwood Hills and Splendido Taal.

While Cebu’s local bets enjoy the so-called homecourt advantage on the tight and flat Mactan layout — known for its narrow fairways, subtle defenses and tricky sand and water hazards — they face stiff resistance from a determined and well-prepared Mindanao contingent hungry to assert its dominance.

Mindanao players are represented across all divisions, headlined by Davao’s Precious Zaragosa and Cagayan de Oro’s Kenley Yu in the 15-18 category. They will challenge Cebu standouts Apple Gotiong, Lois Laine Go and Niña Balangauan in the girls’ division.

Bukidnon’s Alexis Nailga, on the other hand, battles Visayan counterparts Yosef Tiongko, Jose Tiongko III, Ritchie Go, Bacolod’s Inno Flores and Mandaue’s Zeus Suzara in the boys’ 15-18 division of the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Even in the youngest age bracket (7-10), the 36-hole competition is expected to be fierce. Denise Mendoza and Skye Yocte lead the charge for the hosts, while Cagayan de Oro’s Sistine Marie Yu aims to spoil their bid in the girls’ division.