16 dreams, one Thai adventure

Sixteen junior golfers returned from Thailand, each carrying a story to tell and valuable lessons learned from their week-long expedition.

Two of them — Vito Sarines and Geoffrey Tan — brought home trophies from the Singha Thailand Junior World Championships in Hua Hin, combining forces to help the Philippines finish third in the boys’ team event.

Vito also placed third in the boys’ Class B division despite leaving his driver in his hotel room throughout the four-day competition. He simply could not risk the temptation of pulling it out of his bag.

Geoffrey, meanwhile, fought hard to keep his scores respectable despite the challenges he faced. Chosen from several candidates to partner Vito, he was determined to repay the trust placed in him.

Thirdy Fernando of Zamboanga and Kim Barraquillo of South Cotabato were making their international debuts, and their weeks couldn’t have been more different.

Fernando, who had the ball-striking to contend at Royal Hua Hin, was undone by the flat stick. After an 82 in the second round, he appeared poised for a strong finish — until a three-putt on one hole and a triple bogey on the next derailed his final round. Still, his 74 was the best score among the Filipinos that day, a reminder of the talent that made him a contender in the first place.

Barraquillo, meanwhile, wore a smile whether she broke 80 or not. For the Davao-raised youngster, simply sharing a course with players she had long idolized was reward enough. She began her overseas debut with a 79.

Their contrasting weeks also raise a question worth asking: are we preparing our young golfers the right way for this level of competition?

Nicole Gan endured a frustrating week, with her usually reliable short game deserting her at the worst time. But the experience should serve her well, and her younger sister Stephanie capped her own campaign with a breakthrough final round, breaking 100 for the first time.

Marqaela Dy of Cebu showed what she was capable of with a 77 in the final round, stringing together three straight birdies in one stretch after two rounds in the 80s. Brianna Macasaet, the country’s lone entry in the girls’ 10-12 division, endured a rough start and finish but found consolation in a 76 in the second round.

Bea Lapuz, the only other girl on the team, enjoyed a breakthrough front nine in the final round, going even par before inexperience caught up with her on the way home.

Enzo Cham provided the lone subpar round by a Filipino, a 71 in the second round that hinted at his potential. Though he followed it with a 78, his closing 75 on Sunday offered another glimpse of what the Xavier standout can become.

Jacob Gomez, Raffi Casperino, Gab Lapuz, Sebastian Sajuela, Felix Saludar and Kvan Alburo also battled the demanding layout, each taking home lessons of their own.

Perhaps it is time to rethink some of our habits at home, particularly the dependence on golf carts and personal coaches accompanying players during tournaments.

If we want our juniors to compete with the best in the region and eventually on the world stage, they must learn to walk the course, manage their own games and make decisions without someone constantly looking over their shoulders. International competition demands not just good swings but also stamina, discipline and mental toughness.

There is a difference between helping young golfers develop their skills and shielding them from the challenges they must eventually learn to handle on their own. Walking 18 holes and playing without a personal coach hovering nearby could be part of that preparation.

Not everyone came home with a trophy, a personal-best score or the finish they had hoped for. But that is part of the value of competing abroad. The experience showed them where their games stand against the region’s best, what needs work and what they can aspire to achieve.

For these 16 young golfers, the trip to Hua Hin was more than a tournament. It was a chance to grow, learn and return home with a clearer idea of how much further they can go. The next step is making sure that the lessons from Thailand continue long after the bags have been unpacked.