MANILA, Philippines – Officials of the Philippine Jungolf Foundation of the Philippines are preparing a welcome celebration for seven-year-old Philippe Winsett-Palanca, who became the first Philippine champion of the US Kids Golf European Championship on Thursday.
The grandson of sportsman Honey Boy beat a field of 33 champions from 12 countries who qualified for the event played in Kilspindie, Scotland. He led from start to finish, winning by one over Luke Rose of South Africa.
Palanca flies in via KLM this morning.
“This is a big victory for jungolf and it is important for us since we are all preparing for several big tournaments in the coming months,” said Jungolf chairman Gerry Handog.
Palanca’s win comes on the heels of a strong runner-up finish by Miguel Tabuena in the Asia-Pacific championships where he lost to a Thai boy in a playoff.
The Philippine qualifier for the US Kids World Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina, meanwhile, will be held starting Monday, June 1.
Most of the standouts of the Jungolf Summer Circuit, including Palanca, will be around to vie for the slots at stake in the tourney scheduled in August.
The Jungolf summer circuit was supported by Philippine Airlines, Diamond Motors Corp., Club Marinduque, Unilever, Ottica Corp.,/Fury, Callaway/ Electrobus, Goin Straight, Golf Depot, Powerade/Coca Cola and Aces Agri Manufacturing Corp.