Reyes, Tabuena shine in Thailand junior golf

MANILA, Philippines - Edward Reyes and Miguel Tabuena posted strong finishes for the Philippines in the recent eighth True Vision Junior Golf Championship at the St. Andrews 2000 course in Rayong, Thailand.

Carrying the banner of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, the London-based Reyes placed second in the Class A division while Tabuena finished fourth in the Class B in the tournament that featured players from 14 countries.

Reyes tackled the par-74 layout that features two par-6s with rounds of 74, 76, 72 and 71 for a 292 aggregate, losing by a stroke to Malaysian Abel Tam Kwang Yuan.

Tabuena three-putted the last two holes on the last day for bogeys that relegated him to a share of third place, eventually losing in the countback.

The International School grade schooler had scores of 75, 79, 78 and 77 for a 309 total, eight shots behind eventual division winner Ratanon Wannasrijan (301) with Taiwanese Chiu Han-ting (308) finishing second.

Meanwhile, Regina de Guzman firmed up her bid for a second straight crown as she carded a 74 in the opening round of the Asia-Pacific Championships qualifier at the Mt. Malarayat Country Club in Lipa, Batangas.

The tourney is the second leg of the Jungolf summer circuit sponsored by Philippine Airlines, Diamond Motors Corp., Club Marinduque, Unilever, Ottica Corp.,/Fury, Callaway/ Electrobus, Goin Straight, Golf Depot and Aces Agri Manufacturing Corp. It is also supported by NGAP, Federation of Golf Clubs and Inquirer Golf.

De Guzman was 14 strokes ahead of Nicole Serapio in Class A. Also leading their respective divisions were Il Jeon Hung in boys Class A, Bino dela Paz and Daniella Uy in Class B, Rupert Zaragosa and Corrine Abalos in Class C, Miguel Faller and Kirke Ang in Class D and Annika Tanoue in girls Class F.