MANILA, Philippines - Young players from all over the country are gathered in Cebu for the 7th Alta Vista Junior Golf Challenge, which tees off today at the par-72 course in Pardo, this city.&

The tournament will run until Saturday.

Players for the Special Division (18-21 years old), class A (15-17), and class B (13-14) will be playing a total of 54 holes.

The players in class C (11-12) and D (9-10) will play two rounds of 18 holes each starting tomorrow yet while those in class E (6-8) will play nine holes each for two days also starting tomorrow.

Tee off time today starts at 8 a.m.

A Short Game Challenge is also set from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This contest will test the skills of the players in putting, bunker shots, and pitching. This is open to all classes except the Special Division.

Prizes at stake will be for the club of the year, the team competition top three, the top three for each class in the boys' division and the top two for the girls' division.

Winners of the Short Game Challenge will get medals and goodies.

A hole-in-one prize is also up for grabs. The club is also going to give a special prize to the player or players, who will score an ace. This prize will be equally shares in case there will be more than one winner.

The winners of the overall title (lowest gross) for the individual categories will be entitled to free registration and a roundtrip ticket to next year's tournament.

The winners of the different age groups will also be entitled to free registration to next year's tournament.

This is a project of the Junior Golf Committee of AVGCC headed by Benjie Hortelano.

An opening day fellowship and ceremony is set this 4 p.m. The awards ceremony will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Players for classes A, B and C and the Special Division will not be allowed to employ caddies for the tournament. Caddies will be assigned for each flight to drive the golf carts and rake bunkers.

Players for classes D and E can, however, employ caddies for the tournament.

The winner of the club of the year is determined by assigning points to the players based on their standings in the top five of each category.

The club with the most points earned will have the honor of having their name etched on the perpetual trophy.

The team event requires that a club has four members for one squad and may be a mix of boys and girls. - THE FREEMAN