NAGAYO siblings, Ella and Daniel, of Davao City are right on track in earning spots to the US Kids World Championship 2017 after topping their respective events in a local tournament held in Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia over the weekend.
Ella won the girls 13 years old title while Daniel emerged champion in boys 11 event.
Their feats came on the heels of winning the girls 12-14 and boys 11 crowns, respectively, in the US Kids Golf local tour at the Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc, Victoria.
Former Davao City Councilor Rachel Zozobrado Nagayo, mother of the Nagayo siblings, said the past two tournaments were part of the process for her children to qualify in the US Kids Golf Word Championship slated August 3 to 5 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
“There are eight local tournaments in Melbourne. Need mag-apil (They need to join) at least four then on March 19 ang Local Tour Championship. Two games na ang nasalihan nina Ella and Daniel. Nakachamba, nakadaog sa duha ka games (They were lucky to have won two tournaments),” Rachel said in a Facebook chat Saturday, February 11.
For the Nagayo siblings to qualify in the world event, they must join at least four local tour events, meet the scoring requirements and top the Local Tour Championships for a Burgundy Status.
She added they are sending the kids to different tournaments in Australia, where they are currently based, to expose them and as part of their training.
Ella, according to her mother, was accepted in the golf program of the Rowville Sports Academy as a scholar last August. Thus, the family moved to Australia.
“Super nice kaayo ang ilang golf program. Holistic gyud ila approach mao naganahan mi. Part gyud sad sa curriculum ang golf, 2/3 academics, 1/3 golf classes. And they have a partner golf course pud. Lingaw kaayo (Their golf program is good with a holistic approach that's why we like it. Golf is really part of the curriculum that covers 2/3 academics and 1/3 golf classes),” the proud mother said.
She added her son is also being scouted to join the RSA golf program when he starts Year 7 next year.
