Tough start for Reshan and Kaya at 2023 APGC Junior Championship in Philippines

Kaya Daluwatte in Philippines

Reshan Algama in Philippines

By Shamseer Jaleel

The 2023 APGC Junior Championships teed off in Philippines Orchard GCC this week. The Region’s premier team and individual championship for Boys and Girls features leading juniors aged 17 and under from 11 APGC member nations as well as two teams representing European Golf Association (EGA) teed off in this event which was the showpiece of the future golfers from the region.   

Kaya Daluwatte, one of the youngest golfers in the ongoing Junior Asia Pacific tournament, was among the participants who took to the greens to showcase her skills. Although the young golfer did not have the best showing in the two rounds, it is evident that she has great potential for the future.

Reshan Algama, on the other hand, had an uneven start to the tournament with an eight over par score on the first day. However, he bounced back with an impressive two over par in the second round, climbing his way to the top fifteen in the rankings at the end of day two.

As the tournament progresses, both Kaya and Reshan are set to face off against some of the best young golfers in the region. Despite the tough competition, they are determined to keep going and give it their all. Another two  days of tough golf awaits the youngsters who will be tested to the maximum.

Reshan was one under par solid round up to the 13 where he double bogeyed and bogey on the 15 ending up 2 over. All in all he had 3 birdies with 11 pars, 3 bogeys and one double bogey.

Kaya had a challenging round on Day 1 - 2 birdies, 8 pars but had 7 bogeys and 1 double bogey to finish 79 (+7). On the second day, Kaya was off to an unexpected bad start when she drove the ball into a hazard area and had to take a penalty on the first hole. However, she bounced back strongly and recovered well and had 12 pars and 3 bogeys in 15 holes. Unfortunately, she had a streak of bad luck on three holes where she scored double bogeys to end day 2 with a score of 81 (+9). Currently Kaya’s combined score is at +16 for 2 days of play.