Daddy’s Little Girl

Karateka Gretchen Malalad and taekwondo jin Veronica Domingo are only two of the finest female athletes we have right now. And The Score continues to give a toast to women in sports as we celebrate womanhood this March. There’s only one month in a year when we are invited to celebrate Women’s month. And being a female sports columnist, this writer would heed the call.

Unlike my previous interviews, it took me weeks to make an appointment with this teener. She is, after all, Philippines’ "Fairway Princess." And one should go through a protocol to set a date with a princess, right? Of course it wasn’t as simple as calling her up to schedule one. I had to talk to a secretary who made sure she got who I was and what the interview was for. And then my call was passed on to the dad who explained how busy his daughter was because of final exams which was why this writer should call back the following week instead to set an interview date. "Ganyan talaga si Daddy. Sobrang strict, minsan parang over-protective na. But I understand kasi it’s for my own good naman," says Jayvie Marie Agojo, youngest in a brood of 10, Daddy’s little girl.

Show me a father who didn’t love his daughter much to the point of being overly-protective. Isn’t that what most father-daughter relationships are about? Ireneo Agojo Jr’s relationship with Jayvie is that and more. Theirs extends to the vast putting green. He escorts her everyday to either Southwoods or Villamor for training. Daddy walks with Jayvie through the 18 holes under the heat of the sun, guiding his precious through birdies, bogeys, eagles and chips. "I have a coach naman. But my dad always wants to be there. He pushes me to always be better so that someday I can be the best that I can be," explains this junior golf star.

Born on July 27, 1986, she started playing golf at the age of nine when Mommy Maria Victoria Garcia took her along on trips to the range. But it took three years for the sport to grow on little Jayvie. At the age 12, she was finally convinced to take up the sport seriously after observers said she had a good swing. And they were right!

Under the training of coach, Sgt. Romulo Negrido, and guidance of Daddy Ireneo, Jayvie has since teed her way off to international golf competitions. She was understandably nervous when she first stepped on the fairways in Temecula, California in 2000 for the Junior Golf Championship. But poise and presence of mind took her through the course. Precision in strokes eliminated competition. She bagged the top honors and has successfully defended her title in 2001 and 2002. She is also the 2002 Florida Optimist International Golf Champion. And these distinctions earned her citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) that gave her the 2002 award for amateur golf.

Despite these accomplishments, however, this athlete is still very much a kid in disposition. She enjoys things normal teenagers do like going to the mall, shopping, and telebabad. She also enjoys playing other sports such as billiards and volleyball. But Jayvie is also coming to terms with the fact that being a serious golfer, she has to make some sacrifices. "I know I don’t have a normal teenage life. I have a 10 p.m. curfew kasi bawal magpuyat. I can’t go out with my friends after school kasi I have to train. And even when my friends would like to play golf with me, hindi pwede kasi gusto ng dad ko concentrated ako sa training."

Training is everyday during summer. When there are classes and there’s a tournament coming up, Jayvie is forced to hit the links everyday to prepare. When there’s none, any day of the week plus Saturday and Sunday dates at the course are required by dad. This is to give her time to focus on her academics. Our fairway princess is also a junior in high school. She plans to take up Business Management and Entrepreneurship in college.

School will always be a priority for this lass and her dad who maps out her career in golf. "Sports is fun. I like the challenge in golf. But it can get boring especially when I’m training. Sobrang strict kasi ng dad ko e," complains the 16-year old golfer. She understands however that no one else will benefit from her dad’s discipline but her. In about 5-6 years she hopes to become a pro. Her ultimate goal is to make it to the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and win a major award. Along the course though, daddy will always be there to see her through the bunkers. He will always be there to guide and support our multi-titled junior golfer. "I personally love to play golf. But I don’t get to play as much. I have to make a sacrifice for Jayvie’s career," said Mr. Agojo.

Whatever happens in the vast greens, there will always be one title that Jayvie will keep forever; whether in or out of the fairways, she will always be Daddy’s Little Girl.

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