In junior golf, trophies and scorecards often tell only part of the story. The rest — the laughter between shots, the quiet advice walking down the fairway, the shared nerves over a putt — lives in moments that don’t always make the leaderboard. Few formats capture those moments better than parent-child golf.
That was on full display when the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) wrapped up the year with its Christmas Parent-Child Tournament at Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course.
More than a competition, the event served as a reminder of why golf, at its best, is a family game.
The parent-child format strips golf down to its most meaningful elements. Parents aren’t just spectators or coaches on the sidelines; they become teammates.
Juniors, meanwhile, aren’t simply learning the game — they’re learning how to trust, communicate, and compete alongside someone who has been part of their journey from the very first swing.
At Camp Aguinaldo, that connection played out across four divisions, each tailored to meet juniors where they are in their development.
Teenagers in Group 1 navigated the course with growing confidence and independence, while still leaning on their parents in crucial moments.
TJ and VJ Padilla’s composed one-under-par performance reflected not just skill, but chemistry built over years of shared rounds.
In Group 2, where development and discovery often intersect, the format encouraged patience and partnership.
Ashley and Renato Sun’s winning effort was marked by steady play, but just as telling was the closeness of the leaderboard — a sign of juniors learning to compete without pressure, knowing a parent was right beside them.
The youngest division, Group 3, perhaps best captured the spirit of the format.
With juniors aged nine and under, the golf itself was impressive — Stephanie and Oliver Gan’s three-under 65 stood out — but the real highlight was watching children gain confidence shot by shot, guided by encouragement rather than instruction. In these moments, golf becomes less about score and more about joy.
Even the Media and JGFP division reflected the same theme.
Joaquin and Jacob Gomez’s tournament-low score showed that, regardless of age or background, the format rewards teamwork and shared understanding more than individual brilliance.
What makes the parent-child format so special is its balance. It allows competition without intensity, learning without pressure, and ambition without fear. Juniors aren’t overshadowed by older players, and parents aren’t expected to lead — they simply walk alongside, offering support, perspective and presence.
For JGFP, this format aligns perfectly with its mission. Junior golf development isn’t just about creating better players; it’s about building healthier relationships with the game. By keeping families involved, the foundation helps ensure that golf remains something juniors want to return to — not because they have to, but because it feels like home.
As the Christmas Parent-Child Tournament closed the year, it also set the tone for what lies ahead.
With major events like the JGFP World Team Championships in Davao on the horizon, the foundation continues to grow the competitive side of junior golf. But events like this serve as an important reminder: before juniors become champions, they become golfers — and before golfers become great, they fall in love with the game.
Sometimes, all it takes is walking 18 holes with a parent to make that happen.
The complete results:
GROUP A — TJ Padilla-VJ Padilla 67, Sydney Eusebio-Jaypee Eusebio 71, Taeyang Yun-Jeonghyun Yun 75, Nicole Gan-Rey Bancod 75, Joshua Dalumbar-Clark Dalumbar 77, Felix Saludar-Ely Saludar 77, Ishmael Mariñas-Alexander Mariñas 77, Eli Mataban-Vincent Mataban 78, Jaden Esquivias-Julius Esquivias 80, Arc Ubana-Ronald Ubana 85, Chad Martin-Melvyn Martin 92, Willa Galvez-Waylon Galvez 97.
GROUP B — Ashley Sun-Renato Sun 69, Vance Tan-Vendric Tan 71, Zara Uy Siapno-Christian Uy 71, Venice Eusebio-Vic Eusebio 71, Aerin Chan-Jef Chan 72, Theodore Rios-Noel Rios 73, Adrian Irinco-Rico Irinco 77, Xhiano Bagtas-Andrew Ferrer 77, Jesse Yambao-Alvin Tan 78, Aaron Tan-Danny Perez 79, Keisha Tan-Delfin Tan 81, Halo Pangilinan-Lalin Pangilinan 83, Jiro Ong-Jonathan Ong 84, Kayden Pangilinan-Yogi Pangilinan 86, Theon Coran-Bob Coran 88, Matthew Bradley-Vanj Bradley 91, Layla Agamata-Ace Agamata 92, Alexander Caringal-Jose Caringal 93, Keir Verano-Kay Verano 96.
GROUP C — Stephanie Gan-Oliver Gan 65, Candice Lim-Mike Lim 69, Juliana Araw-Carlo Araw 73, Drake Matias-Michael Matias 76, Kiara Verano-Renold Verano 77, Rafael Chua-Ralph Chua 78, Prince Lucino-John Lucino 80, Mathea Pasamba-Christian Pasamba 80, Vernice Collado-Benjamin Collado III 80, Asher Abad-Philip Abad 83, Zachary Tycangco-Steve Tycangco 83, Lucas Sioson-Louie Sioson 86, AJ Bermudo-Arnel Bermudo 88, Pio Castelo-Lance Castelo 90, Jean Bitangcol-Leo Bitangcol 93, Enzo de Castro-Paolo de Castro 93, Adam Remo-Jose Remo III 93, Alexander Kingston Ching-Millie Verzosa 95, Amelia Tacderas-Kevin Tacderas 97, Rafael Asuncion-JR Asuncion 98, Hiraya Caringal-Russellee Caringal 98, Yohann Bo-Ivy Bo 109, Nathan Cabalsi-Brando Cabalsi 109.
GROUP D — Joaquin Gomez-Jacob Gomez 63, Kristofer Nadales-Lucas de Guzman 72, Ezekiel Opinion-Ramon Bonilla 80, Venus Delos Santos-Nelson Beltran 80, Randy Caluag-Cedelf Tupas 82, Andrei Victoria-Julius Manicad 91.
