Zachary Castro put up an impressive two-week US summer stint as he placed second in the Boys 13 years old Division at the 2019 US Kids Golf Teen World Championship and winning the Boys 11-13 (Ernie Els) Division at Xingzhi Sports College Prep at Duke in the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT).
Zach first made waves in Pinehurst, North Carolina, last July 25 to 27, 2019. He booked a three-day total 4 under par 212 to finish behind world champion Sihan Sandhu from Ashville, Virginia.
Castro started the tournament tied at fifth with a 70 on the par 72 Pinehurst No. 6. His 73 on the second day dropped him to a tie for sixth before a final day rally and a three-under 69 score propelled him to his best performance in the premiere age group world championship event.
His finish earned him a spot on the the Van Horn Cup international team where his team up with Leuan Jones of the UK produced a best five-under 67 card to win the Morrison Medal.
A week later, Zach booked his second win on the HJGT with a two-day total eight-under par 140 in the par 74 Duke University Golf Club. Last year he won at the Trump Wechester Classic in Briancliff, NY.
The outstanding summer performance has established the incoming 8th grader from De La Salle-Zobel as one the rising under 14 stars in the country. His continuous development will be closely watched as he marches to a potential call up for national team duties.
This early, he is already planning for a full summer tour in the US in 2020 with the help of US College Sports Camps Asia and US College Sports Camps Philippines to include AJGA qualifiers and tournaments and USGA qualifier events. Bobbet Bruce