BALAY-ODAO LEADS 14 LOCAL STUDENT-ATHLETES IN BATTLE OF THE NORTH GOLFEST

June 24, 2025 Sports

Pilipinas College Golf Series

BAGUIO CITY

Ranz Louie Balay-odao, fresh from his 2nd runner-up honor in the recent ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour Launch, will lead a cast of 14 other local student-athletes in the Battle of the North golf tournament set Sunday (June 22) at the par-69 Camp John Hay (CJH) golf course here. Balay-odao, together with the local players, will match golf skills against 60 expected seasoned players from across the country, including those from the National Capital Region. “Excited it being our home course and we have the home crowd,” said Balay-odao, who holds a personal best score of 5-under par in CJH. “I am also eager to see how well we will perform under pressure in our home,” added Balay-odao, a 3rd-year Business Management student of the University of the Cordilleras (UC). He traces his roots to Bakun-Buguias, Benguet.

Asked about his chances, he said, “We can never tell how a golf round will go, but I can guarantee to do my best and hopefully it is enough to win a podium finish.” Veteran and world cupper Danny Zarate will act as coach and advised his players “to just play their game… stay focused, be composed, and not be overconfident playing on their home course.” Zarate, currently CJH golf pro, expressed great appreciation to schools like UC, Saint Louis University (SLU), University of Baguio (UB), and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for their support in allowing their student-athletes to participate in such high level of competition ,thus, it further develop local boys’ golf skills and mental toughness. The other local student-athletes who will see action in this Pilipinas College Golf Series ,one -day event with
shotgun format are : Czendel Jay Guanso (UC), 3rd Class Cadet Lance Kiat-ong (PMA), both played in the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour Launch.

TonTon Fernandez (UB), Hazy Jones Miranda (SLU),Kyruz Pasiwen and Carl Jay-R Bohol ,both of UC. And from SLU – Lance V.
Chrysvaughn Go , Annika D.Molintas, Melchor Carlos II P.Rabanes, Sofia Marie G. Bangaoet, Aenaes Armen M. Posadas, Nathaniel Philip M. Go, Jervin John C. Agaya, Gian Franco L.Estandian, and Hazy Jhones A.Miranda. Meanwhile, Zarate, a four-time member of the national team is hopeful that golf will be included in the city’s university-college sports program ,and for student-athletes into golf will be
provided scholarships.

Primo Agatep/ABN