CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The country's top junior golfers are racing toward a finish line that leads directly to Cagayan de Oro. The ICTSI Junior PGT Championship series, organized by Pilipinas Golf, will hold its Elite Grand Finals at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club from August 17 to 20, 2026. Only the top four performers from each age division will qualify to represent the North team in the prestigious national finals.
The stakes are high as the six‑stage regional circuit enters its final legs. The penultimate tournament tees off on June 1 at Beverly Place in Mexico, Pampanga, with the last qualifying event set for Eagle Ridge on June 17‑19. For many contenders, the Pampanga leg is an absolute must‑play to secure their spot.
Local Talent in the Hunt
Three young golfers are locked in a fierce battle to reach the Cagayan de Oro finals. Aerin Chan, Ronee Dungca, and Tyra Garingalao are tied with 18 points each in the girls' 11‑14 division. League rules require at least three tournament appearances to qualify, making the Pampanga leg critical for all three. Garingalao has already played three tournaments, while Chan and Dungca have only two starts.
Kendra Garingalao, another rising talent with ties to the region, currently ranks third in the girls' 15‑18 division with 30 points. Twins Lisa and Mona Sarines hold the top two spots. In the premier 15‑18 boys' division, Tristan Padilla is a lock for the finals with 42 points, while Shinichi Suzuki is closing in with 32 points.
A National Stage for Cagayan de Oro
The Elite Grand Finals will bring the country's top junior players, their families, and coaches to Cagayan de Oro for four days of competition. The Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club, an 18‑hole championship course, will host the event. The tournament is expected to generate hotel bookings, restaurant traffic, and visibility for the city's sports tourism sector.
For the young golfers, reaching the finals means competing on one of Mindanao's premier courses. For the host city, it is an opportunity to showcase its capacity to stage national sporting events. The ICTSI Junior PGT Championship is among the country's most prestigious junior golf circuits, and its arrival in Cagayan de Oro signals the city's growing role in Philippine sports.
