"I really love singing. I joke with my Dad that I should join contests or apply to the abs-cbn Talent Center. They can promote me as the singing golfer, but he always says I should just concentrate on my golf," she reveals.
For those still not aware of this wisp-of-a-girls accomplishments, Jayvie already has several crowns under her cap. Having picked up her first golf club at the age of nine, she began competing at twelve, traveled to the United States and in that short period of time, annexed such titles as the International Junior Championship (Girls 11 to 14), and the Girls Division of the 72nd San Francisco Junior Golf Championship.
Competing here, she picked up the PLDT Philippine International Junior Golf Championship. Now that shes 15, shes moved on to to the next division and regularly finds herself competing in open classes. With no age classification, its a chance for her to see how well shell fare against players far older and more mature than her.
As perennial shadow father Jun Agoho enthuses, "Weve enrolled her in Golf Psychology courses to help condition her mind to the level of competition shell now face. She has one regular pro from Villamor and someone analyzes her game on a regular basis. I dream of taking her to the States and putting her under David Leadbetter for a couple of months. But, as always, were subject to financial constraints. Ive not approached anyone to take up the cudgels and sponsor her. At her age and level, its not something that can be that easily arranged.
"Besides, the priority remains her education. Since the start, shes been at the OB Montessori at Greenhills; shes in her second year of high school now. The school has been very understanding about her golf commitments, and we in turn feel it important that we keep a level head and never let her forget the value of education. Golf is a gift and while we dream and hope it provides her a career and future, we realize that so many things can happen."
Jayvies schedule, as you would expect, is quite formidable. Its one that a budding elite athlete would be subjected to, balanced by her school obligations and the professed commitment to maintain balance and normalcy in this teeners life. "I was really into cheerleading, but I had to stop last year. It was taking up so much time and the risk of injury was something we had to seriously consider. Well, singing is my true love, its something I really enjoy. Playing Counterstrike, billiards, shopping and malling at Power Plant and Gloriettathats how I spend my time outside school and golf. Im always discussingarguing?with my Dad about going out. He says wait until Im 17; but of course, he gives in once in a while and I gimmick with my friends. We go out at eight and I have a curfew of midnight. Cinderella nga ang tawag nila sa akin."
Interestingly, Jayvies father points out that 10 pm is designated as Jayvies curfew; he laughingly recalls that when she comes home at midnight, though, she insists that thats the agreement.
Asked about boys and dating, Jayvies face breaks into a naughty smile. "Theres a boy in school whos interested," she reveals, "but Im still young for all that. Its school and golf that are the priorities. Again, its the magic age of 17 that my parents throw at me when dating is mentioned. I go out with friends and sometimes, there are guys who join us; but its not as couples." When prodded as to who her "crushes" are, Jayvie readily admits its Aga Muhlach and John Pratts who have her eye.
When asked about her most memorable golf experiences, it isnt past victories that spring to her mind. "There was this tournament in Los Angeles last year. Missing a six-foot putt meant I ended up in 4th place instead of second. And early this year, I found myself in a sudden death playoff for the DHL tournament. I guess it was the pressure and being matched up against players who were much older; I lost the playoff (to Carmelette Villaroman)."
With a maturity that belies her tender age, it was the losses that she could most learn from that she mentions. Thats encouraging, as it shows that while victories can be savored, its the losses that have to be imprinted in ones psyche, and analyzed so the mistakes are not repeated.
As to what are the most embarrassing or funniest experiences, she laughs about a double bogey she shot on a Par 3 at the Baguio Country Club. Her tee shot ended up in a tree and it just went downhill from there. "The awful thing was I was playing really well up to that point," she says. "So there were a lot of expectations riding on my shoulders. I just had to take it in stride and laugh about the whole thing."
As with most sports figures still in their adolescence, one cannot emphasize enough the importance of family support and the role ones parents play in the athletes development. Look at Tiger Woods and the role his parents played in his phenomenal growth.
"I count myself truly blessed in this regard," Jayvie avers. "It started as a game my Dad encouraged all the kids to take up. Hes been playing for some seven years now, and I know hell die for my saying this, but he maintains a handicap of 19. So, we play together a lot; hes there when I practice and the family always makes it a point to accompany me to the tournaments and in my travels. For them, its important that I have this support group wholl be there, especially for the times when Im not doing well."
For father Jun its also a means to maintain the balance thats so important for them. While golf does in a sense consume the life of their daughter, its up to him to see to it that it does not compromise the song in her heart.