Thai champ seeks to regain Phl Ladies Open plum

Yupaporn Kawinpakorn

Yupaporn Kawinpakorn joins the talent-laden Thailand contingent vying in this week’s Philippine Ladies Open Championship, seeking to recapture the crown she won in 2007 against a field headlined by the country’s aces and toughened up by a horde of foreign bets.

Kawinpakorn beat Malaysian Ainil Johani Abu Bakar by two strokes to pocket the title at The Country Club layout five years ago, ending a six-year reign by the local bets and annexing what was only the second Phl Ladies Open title for Thailand.

But the veteran campaigner faces a stiff challenge in the event unfolding on Wednesday at Wack Wack’s east course with compatriots Pinrath Loomboonruang and top jungolfers Savitree Thavong and Pathamaporn Ariyamatepreecha looming as the early favorites to contend for this year’s diadem.

Loomboonruang is coming off a silver medal finish in the recent SEA Games. She also bagged the gold in last year’s Santi Cup in Hong Kong, edging Dottie Ardina by one while anchoring Thailand’s come-from-behind victory over the Philippines in team play.

The other Thais competing in the event, presented by Champion Infinity, are Suthavee Chanachai, Jittakarn Chandraviroj, Sasitorn Chokwatana, Pornvipa Sakdee, Sida Raksangob, Supamas Sangchan, Arporn Maneerux, Busara Tanphhipat and Suvimol Seripahnakul and Jariyawadee Wadeesirisak.

Malaysia, on the other hand, will be led by Annie Yong, Shirley Poh and Norlida Anis. Also in the fold are Koreans Lee Jeong Hwa and Seo Yon Kwon, Ikuko Kito and Mika Kubota of Japan, Swedes Eimee Headeguer and Royena Bjorklund, Australian Prescila Keogh, Maureen Nijhof of the Netherlands and Lourdes Acuesta of the US.

Meanwhile, the organizing Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. will host a cocktail among participants and officials on Tuesday at Wack Wack Clubhouse immediately after the traditional 4 p.m. ceremonial tee-off.

Ardina, meanwhile, banners the local challenge along with ICTSI teammates Jayvie Agojo, winner in 2005, Andie Unson, Sarah Ababa of Davao, Sunshine Baraquiel, 2010 champion Cyna Rodriguez and Lovelynn Guioguio, winner of the Philippine Amateur Championship last Sunday.

The other backers of the event are EEI, Nescafe, RCBC, De Capriccio Jewellers, Tres Palmas, Alabang Ladies Chapter, Canlubang Ladies Chapter, Forest Hills Ladies Chapter, Manila Golf Ladies Chapter, Sta. Elena Ladies Chapter and Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter as hole sponsors.

Clubs all over the country will also be fielding their best bets in the Open, which will also feature the Class A and Class B events after the classification on the second day.

Playing are entries from Canlubang, Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Southwoods, Valley Golf, Orchard, AFP Golf Club (formerly Aguinaldo GC), Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands,Alta Vista, Forest Hills, Pueblo de Oro, Canlubang, Del Monte, Navy and Southwoods.(pr)

Foo wavers in rain but hacks out 2-shot win

Gregory Foo of Singapore (second from right) and Lovelynn Guioguio display their trophies after topping their respective divisions in the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship at Canlubang's north course yesterday. With them are tournament director Tommy Manotoc, also head of NGAP's youth development and national training pool, and Globe's Business chief Jesus Romero.

CANLUBANG – Gregory Foo squandered a six-shot lead as he floundered in the rain but held his ground in a nerve-wracking backside duel to thwart Jobim Carlos and Clyde Mondilla and capture the Philippine Amateur Open golf crown despite a closing seven-over 79 at Cangolf’s north course Sunday.

Foo, who looked headed for a runaway win after storming ahead by six after 54 holes, found the going tough early as rains pounded the par-72 layout, sending the Singapore ace tumbling down with a 40 at the turn and the title race into a three-man affair.

But Mondilla, who tied Foo despite a bogey at the par-3 No. 11, blew his bid with a triple-bogey on No. 13 while Carlos, who moved within two with nine holes to play, reeled back with back-to-back bogeys from No. 12 and flubbed two birdie putts in the last three holes.

In contrast, Foo rebounded from a disastrous double-bogey mishap on No. 11 and a bogey on No. 14 with clutch par putts in the last four holes, netting him the crown with a 287 aggregate in the tournament presented by Globe Telecom, Inc., Pancake House and Airphil Express.

“I struggled all day since I’m not used to playing in the rain,” rued Foo.

Carlos and Mondilla pounced on Foo’s shaky start to revive the local bets’ bid with the former, winner of the NGAP National Doubles crown last week, turning in a gutsy 36 and the latter hitting birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 for a 35.

But the duo sputtered in the end with Carlos, who birdied the par-5 17^th, flubbing two makeable birdie putts on Nos. 16 and 18, for a 75 and a 289.

Mondilla sparked hopes of a big finish when he caught up with Foo after No. 11. But the former national champion dropped a stroke on the next and failed to check his skid with a triple-bogey seven on No. 13. He closed out with a 76 for third at 290.

Jerome Ng carded a 73 and wound up fourth at 291 followed by Choi Jae Seung (76-293), Raymund Gonzales (78-296), Justin Quiban (74-296), Miko Alejandro (81-297), Gio Gandionco (75-297) and Rupert Zaragosa (77-297).

In ladies play, top ICTSI bet Lovelyn Guioguio birdied the first two holes and went on to fire a one-under 71 then watched erstwhile leader Sarah Ababa and chief rival Dottie Ardina sky with an 81 and 84, respectively, to run away with the crown in the tournament backed by backed by Tanduay Distillers, Inc. as major sponsor and supported by Club Car, Pacsports, Golf Depot, Autohub and Callaway with Acacia Hotel as official hotel and Titleist as official ball.

Guioguio, who led in the first round but slid to second Friday, dished out a superb game in tough playing condition that bedeviled the games of Ababa and Ardina to finish the 54-hole event with a 219 for a six-shot romp over last year?s champion Andie Unson, who matched par 72 for a 225 in the tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Princess Superal carded a 75 and wound up third at 226 while Sunshine Baraquiel placed fourth with a 227 after a 74. Ababa tumbled down to fifth with a 228 while Ardina finished way down in seventh at 234 next to Jayvie Agojo, who had a 233 after an 82.

Clare Legaspi had an 80 for a 236 while Anne Sabater made a 75 to tie Juily Vasandarni, who had a 79, at 238.(pr)

Champion Infinity backs Phl Ladies Open

Champion Infinity has thrown its full support to future champions of local amateur golf as it sponsors the Philippine Ladies Open firing off Wednesday (Jan. 11) at Wack Wack’s east course.

The entry of Champion Infinity, a 27-year old product and the No. 1 local brand in Northern Luzon and Visayas, as title sponsor of the 54-hole championship couldn’t come in the most opportune time with the event marking its golden year and drawing a power-packed cast that includes the cream of the country’s crop and a horde of talented foreign players.

It will also be held at one of the country’s toughest courses, making the event a true test of golf.

“We want to be part of this historic event and be associated with the future champion of Philippine ladies golf,” said Simeon Tiu, president of Peerless Products Manufacturing Corp., makers of Champion Detergent Bar and Powder.

The other backers of the event are EEI, Nescafe, RCBC, De Capriccio Jewellers, Tres Palmas, Alabang Ladies Chapter, Canlubang Ladies Chapter, Forest Hills Ladies Chapter, Manila Golf Ladies Chapter, Sta. Elena Ladies Chapter and Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter as hole sponsors.

Dottie Ardina heads the elite cast that includes crack contingents from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The event, organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Phils., also lured scratch players from South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Netherlands.

Clubs all over the country will also be fielding their best bets in the Open, which will also feature the Class A and Class B events after the classification on the second day. 

Playing are entries from Canlubang, Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Southwoods, Valley Golf, Orchard, AFP Golf Club (formerly Aguinaldo GC), Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands, Alta Vista, ForestHills, Pueblo de Oro, Cangolf, Del Monte, Navy and Southwoods.(pr)

Foo outguns Carlos, pulls away by 6

CANLUBANG -- Gregory Foo outgunned Jobim Carlos in a day-long shootout at Cangolf’s north course Saturday, firing a second straight three-under 69 and pulling away by six strokes lead in the third round of the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship.

Tied with Carlos at the halfway mark of the 72-hole event, Foo rammed in four birdies against a lone bogey then watched the Filipino ace grope for form all day to move 18 holes away from turning what was expected to be a wide-open battle into a one-man show.

He had an eight-under 208, emerging the lone player to keep a run of under-par scores at the tough layout with the local bets forced to shoot in the low 60s to stop the reigning Singapore junior champion from running away with the country’s premier diadem.

Carlos hobbled with three bogeys in a birdie-less day, limping with a 75 after a 70 and a 69 and dropping to a share of second with former national champion Clyde Mondilla at 214.

Mondilla had a so-so 37 after nine holes in the other flight but rallied with three birdies in the last five holes, including Nos. 17-18 to stay in contention in the event  presented by Globe Telecom, Inc., Pancake House and Airphil Express.

Miko Alejandro stood two strokes farther back at 216 after a 71 while Choi Jae Seung struggled with a 74 and slid to 217.

Jerome Ng, the other player in the featured flight that included Foo, Carlos and Choi, failed to get his game going, reeling back with a double-bogey mishap at the par-5 17^th. He tumbled to joint sixth with Raymund Gonzales, who had a 70, at 218.

Rupert Zaragosa, whose solid 69 Friday sparked hopes of a big comeback by the reigning national and junior champion, failed to find his rhythm and wound up with a 73 for a 220, 12 strokes off the pace.

Meanwhile, Sarah Ababa likewise goes for the crown in the ladies side as she braces for a fiery charge from ICTSI teammates Lovelynn Guioguio, Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo in today’s final round of the 54-hole tournament backed by Tanduay Distillers, Inc. as major sponsor and supported by Club Car, Pacsports, Golf Depot, Autohub and Callaway with Acacia Hotel as official hotel and Titleist as official ball.

Ababa shot a 72 Friday for a 147 as she grabbed a one-stroke lead over Guioguio, who dropped to 148 after a 76.

Ardina lay three strokes behind at 150 after 76 while Agojo pooled a 151 after a 73 in a tie with Princess Superal, who made a 76.

The winners in both divisions will also receive two Blackberry Bold cell phones from Globe while Airphil Express will award two roundtrip tickets to Singapore, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Phils.

Foo went three-up after nines holes with birdies on Nos. 6 and 9 as Carlos bogeyed No. 2 and missed a couple of birdie putts at the front. The Singaporean dropped a stroke on No. 12 but recovered the stroke with a birdie on No. 14 before storming to a six-shot lead with a closing birdie.

Carlos, who also bogeyed No. 11, kept trying to keep Foo within sight but just couldn’t make the putts, dropping another stroke on No. 15.

Mondilla actually had a fiery start of two birdies but bogeyed No. 3 and made a double-bogey on the next then gave up another stroke on No. 9. But unlike Carlos, he kept on fighting, drilling a birdie-putt on No. 14 before holing out with a birdie-birdie effort.(pr)

Shootout looms as Phil Am Open unwraps

An early shootout among the country’s top shotmakers and foreign aces both in men’s and ladies divisions is expected as the chase for the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship crowns begins today (Thursday) at the north course of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna.

Jobim Carlos, winner of last week’s NGAP National Doubles crown with Raymundo Gonzales, drew reigning Selangor Amateur champion Jerome Ng of Singapore in 9:08 a.m. flight on No. 1 in what promises to be an explosive start in the featured group that includes Cebu’s top bet Lloyd Go and Alabang’s Andres Saldana.

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning national and junior champion, is paired with Singapore’s junior titlist Gregory Foo in the other key foursome that includes Korean Song Seung Ho of Riviera and Gonzales at 9:17 a.m., also on No. 1.

Carlos, Zaragosa and the other Cangolf bets hope to cash in on their local knowledge of the par-72 layout as they go all out for a strong start in the 72-hole championship presented by Globe Telecom, Inc., Pancake House and Airphil Express.

Focus will also be on the ladies side with defending champion Andie Unson leading the crack roster of the ICTSI-backed bets that includes Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa, Sunshine Baraquiel and Lovelynn Guioguio.

They, however, will have their hands full against a talent-laden foreign challenge headed by reigning Singapore national champion Amelia Yong and teammate Koh Sock Hwee, winner of the 2011 Warren Amateur Open title, and Joey Poh, who finished second to Yong in the Singapore National Open.

Also competing in the event, backed by Tanduay Distillers, Inc. as major sponsor and supported by Club Car, Pacsports, Golf Depot, Autohub and Callaway with Acacia Hotel as official hotel and Titleist as official ball, are Malaysians Vivienne Chin and Albright Chong, Indonesian Gianti Mahardika and a host of Koreans from Riviera, Calatagan, Manila Southwoods and Orchard.

Action in the 54-hole ladies division also starts today and tomorrow (Friday) with the final round slated Sunday, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Phils.

Unson is paired with Yong and Seo in the 7:39 flight, guaranteeing an early battle royale among title contenders, Ardina is grouped with Chin and Scheo Soo Yeon in the 8:06 a.m. group, while Agojo drew Claire Amelia Legaspi and Koh in the 7:57 a.m. threesome – all on No. 1.

Other local bets fancied to contend for the ladies crown are Rainstar Roque, Chanelle Avaricio, Princess Superal, Ann Therese Sabater, Rachita Vasandani, Pauline del Rosario, Micah Shin, Apple Fudolin, Ping Jarales and veteran campaigner Eva Minoza.

Joining Carlos, Zaragosa and Gonzales in the hunt for the men’s title are Clyde Mondilla, John Kier Abdon, Art Arbole, Miggy Yee, Noel Langamin, Magno Arancon, Leonard Lofranco, Carlos Packing, Lawrence Celestino, Raymund Inigo, Joseph Uy, Junro Mamaril, Jama Reyes, Wolen Superal, Eugene Bunyi, Rogelio Roque, Miguel Shah, Sebastian Lorenzo, Santiago Lorenzo, Gino Brizuela, Justin Quiban, Miko Alejandro and Brent Sumampong.PR

Dottie seeks first Phl Ladies Open crown

Dottie Ardina hopes to nail the only missing jewel in her wide trophy collection as she shoots for her first Philippine Ladies Open diadem against a tough international field beginning Jan. 11 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s East course.

The many-time Junior World champion actually got a crack last year, taking charge in the first day only to lose steam in the last two rounds, losing by six to two-time champion Chihiro Ikeda at The Country Club.

But the 17-year-old spearhead of the ICTSI golf squad is all primed up this year, raring to open her campaign with a victory right on the golden staging of the country’s premier ladies golf championship sponsored by Champion Infinity.

“I’ve prepared hard for this and I’m in tip-top condition,” said Ardina. “But it will be tough since there are a lot of good players. Kung para sa akin, sa akin talaga, kung hindi okay lang.”

The reigning Queen Sirikit Cup champion will be facing a hordes of challengers in the 54-hole event organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Phils., including fellow ICTSI teammates Andie Unson, Sarah Ababa, Sunshine Baraquiel, Lovelynn Guioguio and former champions Jayvie Agojo and Cyna Rodriguez.

The event also drew a slew of foreign players, including SEA Games silver medalist Pinrath Loomboonruang, who will lead a talent-laden Thailand squad out to end the Filipinas’ domination of the event.

Loomboonruang, who nipped Ardina for the individual gold medal in last year’s year’s Santi Cup, the ladies side of the Southeast Asia Amateur Golf Team Championship, is seeking to become only the third Thai player to win the country’s premier ladies championship after Rika Dila in 1984 and Yupaporn Kawinpakorn in 2007.

She will be joined in the title hunt by top jungolfers Savitree Thavong and Pathamaporn Ariyamatepreecha along with Suthavee Chanachai, Jittakarn Chandraviroj, Pornvipa Sakdee, Supamas Sangchan, Arporn Maneerux, Busara Tanphhipat, Molrudee Mahattanakul, Sasitorn Chokwatana and Sida Raksangob.

Also in the fold are Dutch Maureen Nijhof, Indonesians Sito Calcote and Victoria Chandra, Malaysians Edora Abdullah, Norlida Anis, Lynda Bala, Sylvia Belinggi, Sally Chai Mei Lin, Joan Chin, Annie Chin May Yong and Rabeahtul Dato, Vanessa Fitzgerald, Merina Gan, Wong Leh Hee, Alice Paran Tigan, Shirley Poh, Marilyn Raja, Sern Siew Kien, Maria Wong and Ireen Teng Kim Geok.

The other backers of the event are EEI, Nescafe, RCBC, De Capriccio Jewellers, Tres Palmas, Alabang Ladies Chapter, Canlubang Ladies Chapter, Forest Hills Ladies Chapter, Manila Golf Ladies Chapter, Sta. Elena Ladies Chapter and Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter as hole sponsors.

Clubs all over the country will also be fielding their best bets in the Open, which will also feature the Class A and Class B events after the classification on the second day.
Playing are entries from Canlubang, Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Southwoods, Valley Golf, Orchard, AFP Golf Club (formerly Aguinaldo GC), Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands, Alta Vista, ForestHills, Pueblo de Oro, Cangolf, Del Monte, Navy and Southwoods.(pr)

Fierce battle seen in Phl Am Open

A wide-open battle for top honors in both the men’s and ladies divisions is expected when the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships is held Jan. 5-8 at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

 

Wang Jeung Hun ran away with a six-shot victory over Jobim Carlos at the tough Riviera's Langer layout last year but the Korean teener faces a stiff challenge this time, not only from Carlos and the other local aces but also from a slew of foreign challengers.

 

Top players Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have confirmed participation in the blue-ribbon event, kicking off a series of tournaments lined up by organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. this year in its continuing effort to provide members of the national pool top-level tournaments.

 

But the challenge will most likely come from Carlos, who is coming off a big victory in last week’s NGAP National Doubles Golf Championship at the AFP Golf Club where he and partner Raymundo Gonzales dominated the field via a seven-stroke victory.

 

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning junior and national champion, former titlist Clyde Mondilla, John Kier Abdon, Art Arbole and Miggy Yee of the ICTSI-Canlubang squad, Cebu’s Lloyd Go and the crack squad from reigning PAL Interclub champion Del Monte, led by Noel Langamin, Magno Arancon and Leonard Lofranco, are also in the fold, ensuring a battle royale in the four-day stroke-play championship.

 

Others seeing action are jungolfers Carlos Packing and Lawrence Celestino of Eastridge, Forest Hills’ Raymund Inigo and Joseph Uy, Tagaytay Highlands’ Junro Mamaril, Jama Reyes of Alabang, Wolen Superal, Eugene Bunyi, Rogeio Roque, Miguel Shah of Alabang, Sebastian Lorenzo, Santiago Lorenzo, Gino Brizuela, Justin Quiban, Miko Alejandro and Brent Sumampong.

 

A down-to-the-wire battle is also seen in the ladies side with Andie Unson tipped to go up against her teammates in the ICTSI squad, headed by Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa and Lovelynn Guioguio.

 

They will be challenged by emerging stars Rainstar Roque and Claire Amelia Legaspi along with Chanelle Avaricio, Princess Superal, Ann Therese Sabater, Rachita Vasandani, Pauline del Rosario, Micah Shin, Apple Fudolin, Ping Jarales and veteran campaigner Eva Minoza.

 

Amelia Yong and Koh Soch Hwee, meanwhile, head the foreign challenge with the Singaporean shotmakers along with a couple of Malaysian bets planing in tomorrow (Tuesday) to familiarize themselves with the tough par-72 layout.(pr)