DAVAO CITY – There’s a distinct “Aussie” energy hummed across the lush fairways of the Apo Golf and Country Club this week. As the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) World Team Championship kicks off, all eyes are on Team Perth, the three-player powerhouse carrying the mantle for Team Australia in the premier 13–18 years old category.
The squad—comprised of Sienna McCulloch (15) ,Connor Roberts (16)both in high school and Saehi Suh (18) incoming college freshman, landed in Davao just 24 hours ago, but they aren’t letting jet lag or the tropical shift dampen their spirits.
While the Philippine heat is a known quantity in the golfing world, the trio noted that the weather is “manageable,” save for the signature Davao humidity that tends to cling to the skin by the back nine.
After a crucial practice round today, the team’s game plan is already taking shape. Team Australia is known for its “long game,” and the sprawling layout of Apo Golf plays right into their hands. However, the course is a deceptive beauty.
To succeed, the Perth golfers will have to balance their natural power with a disciplined approach:
• The Advantage: Their impressive driving length will be a major asset on the par-fives.
• The Challenge: Apo’s notoriously narrow fairways demand surgical accuracy off the tee.
• The X-Factor: The sleek, lightning-fast greens will test their touch and nerves, a factor the team spent extra time scouting during their walkthrough.
For Team Manager Darren Roberts , this trip is as much about building bridges as it is about chasing trophies. Roberts expressed deep appreciation for the warm Filipino hospitality and the pristine condition of the Apo course.
But he also has his sights set on December. Roberts is one of the organizers of the upcoming Perth International Junior Golf Tournament (Dec 7–9, 2026).
In a gesture of sporting camaraderie, he confirmed that Team Philippines will be invited to Western Australia for the event.
“We are currently in a series of qualifying tournaments to screen our participants for December,” Roberts noted. “Coming here allows us to see the incredible talent the Philippines has to offer firsthand.”
Despite being the “new kids on the block” this week, Team Australia enters the tournament as one of the heavy favorites in their age bracket. They have the pedigree, the length, and—judging by their focused practice session today—the adaptability to handle whatever the Davao terrain throws at them.
As the tournament begins, the battle at Apo won’t just be against the field, but against the course itself. If McCulloch, Roberts, and Suh can tame the narrow lines of the Davao fairways, the trophy might just be heading Down Under.
