Mindanao golf course emerges as breeding ground for champions

A golf course long regarded as a sporting landmark in Mindanao is fast becoming known as a cradle of Filipino golf talent.

Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club, a Robert Trent Jones II-designed course nestled in Cagayan de Oro’s highlands, has grown its profile beyond championship hosting to include junior athlete development. Through its Pueblo de Oro Junior Golf program, the club is helping shape some of the country’s brightest young golfers, many of whom are gaining ground internationally.

Spearheaded by a team of seasoned coaches—led by veteran pro Frankie Miñoza—the program offers clinics, competitions, and structured mentorship. Standout juniors include Ralph Rian “Apollo” Batican, who claimed victories in international events like the Thailand Junior World; Alethea Paige Gaccion, who has placed well in global circuits such as the Faldo Series Grand Final; and Kiara Montebon, who is making strides in the U.S. collegiate golf scene.

The club has actively supported these rising athletes, including providing funding for international competitions like the IMG Junior World Championships and the Philippine Ladies Open. Other junior golfers such as Athena Batican, Alonzo Retuerto, and Eliana Dumalaog are also gaining visibility on the national and global stage.

“Pueblo Golf has always stood for excellence,” said Prim B. Nolido, Chairman of Pueblo Golf and President of Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation. “But now, it’s about legacy—about preparing the next generation not just to play, but to lead Philippine golf into the global spotlight.”

The club’s initiatives come as part of a broader community effort to promote sports development and youth empowerment in Northern Mindanao. As it marks more than two decades since opening, Pueblo Golf is being recognized not just for its fairways—but for the futures it’s helping build.