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)

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)

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)

Gialon shoots record 66; Ardina leads with 68

Zanie Boy Gialon set a new course record of six-under 66 at Summit Point as he seized a whopping six-stroke lead over Rupert Zaragosa and Alex Nallos while Dottie Ardina showed fine form and fired a four-under 68 to pace the ladies side of the Samsung Amateur Open in Lipa, Batangas, Friday.

Gialon sizzled with seven birdies against a lone bogey, including four in a flawless stint at the backside of the rolling layout as he dominated the Championship Division on a hot, humid day and shattered the previous best of 69 by Omar Dungca during the 2008 Summit Invitational.

More importantly, it gave the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet a big cushion over the fancied Zaragosa as they head to the final 18 holes of the annual event presented by Samsung Phils. which also features the cream of the ladies crop and future stars.

Zaragosa, the reigning juniors and national champion from ICTSI-Cangolf team, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys and settled for a 72 in a tie with Nallos, who made five birdies but fumbled with five bogeys, while Banny Abaño of Del Monte carded a 73 in a tie with Koreans Hwang Kang Youl and Kim Chang Yeon from Riviera.

Art Arbole, winner of last week’s Cangolf Am Open, wavered with two 37s and dropped into a tie with five others in seventh place while Magno Arancon, also of Del Monte, and J. Austria shot 75s and Reymon Jaraula skied to an 80.

Ardina, enjoying top form, hit five birdies, including three at the front and back-to-back from No. 13 as she overcame a missed-green bogey on No. 8 for a 69, moving 18 holes away from annexing her third straight crown after ruling the Malaysian Juniors and the Thailand Amateur Open the last three weeks.

She led ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda by two with the latter fighting back from a double-bogey mishap on No. 6 with birdies on Nos. 3, 9, 14 and 16 for a 70. Lovelynn Guioguio made a 71 while Sarah Ababa matched par 72.

Ardina and Ikeda, along with alternate Jayvie Agojo, are using the event as part of their buildup for next month’s SEA Games in Jakarta where the ICTSI-backed Philippine team is the defending champion and Ikeda the reigning individual titlist.

Miya Legaspi, the 11-year-old wonder, turned in a three-over 75 marked by two birdies as the five-time US Kids Golf champion tied for fifth with Sunshine Baraquiel, Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy.

Meanwhile, A. Alegre and H. Ahn carded identical 75s to lead Class A of the event sponsored by Airphil Express, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Footjoy and Titliest by Empire Golf, Loro, Endress+Hauser, Sweet Photolicious, Torch Resto Bar, Bluemansion Enterprise, GlucosCare, Omnisource International, Business Mirror and Inquirer Golf.

J. Seo made a 73 and posted a four-stroke lead over Dae Kim in Class B while T. Ilagan shot an 86 for a one-shot lead over V. Plata in Class C. G. Aguado took the Class D lead with an 89 while G. Villacencio and D. Salvador paced the ladies Classes B and C with 79 and 98, respectively.(pr)

Phl ladies collapse, lose by 1

HONG KONG – Thailand pounced on the Philippines’ backside meltdown to snatch a one-stroke victory with a closing 220 as the Filipina golfers fumbled with a 224 in the final of the Santi Cup of the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club here, recently.
Dottie Ardina went over par for the first time, finishing with a 72 but which still stood as the team’s best score as Andie Unson made a 75 and Chihiro Ikeda blew it all at the back with a 41 for a 77.
Jayvie Agojo also wavered at the finish and didn’t count with a 78.
The Philippines, which led by three heading to the final day on rounds of 207, 209, 213, wound up with an 853 and lost by one.
Thailand didn’t do well either, shooting a 219 after a 210, 208, 214. But the Thais cashed in on the Pinays’ collapse in the closing holes with Pavarisa Yoktuan and Panitta Yusabai clinching the win with final hole birdies.
Pinrath Loomboonruang, playing in the final flight with Ardina, holed out with a bogey to make it a one-shot win as she matched Ardina’s 72 while Yoktuan and Yusabai carded a 73 and 75, respectively, for a 220 and an 852 aggregate.
The Thais moved within one after nine holes but ICTSI-backed bets surged to a running seven-shot lead after the top two Phl scorers totaled one-over par before Ikeda stumbled with a double-bogey on No. 13.
Thailand started the backside with a combined seven-over card but re-grouped as Loomboonruang and Phaewchimplee both birdied No. 15 to bounce back.
Ikeda earlier bogeyed No. 14 which Agojo double-bogeyed before the latter dropped two more strokes in the last four holes and was scratched out.
“We were up by 7 before Ikeda made a double-bogey on No. 13. They simply collapsed,” rued ICTSI golf and national team coach Bong Lopez. “We just gave it to them.”
It was a sorry fold-up by the Filipinas, whose campaign was sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils. and supported by ICTSI and the Philippine Sports Commission, who took the lead right in the first round and kept it with gutsy rounds in the next two days only to disintegrate when the going got tough.
Ardina, who earlier strung up impressive rounds of 68, 69, 69, also missed clinching the individual honors with a 277, losing by one to Loomboonruang, who had a 276.
Malaysia finished a far third at 877 after a 223 while Hong Kong wound up fourth with a 221 for an 880 followed by Singapore (215-883) and Indonesia (233-916).
Meanwhile, the Phl juniors team made a 234 and finished fourth in the Lion City Cup topped by Thailand, which had an 869 after a 220, beating Malaysia (220-872) by three. Indonesia placed third with an 888 after a 226 followed by Singapore (233-904) and Hong Kong (245-935).
Andres Saldaña’s 77 became the Phl’s best score as Gio Gandionco had a 78 and Rupert Zaragoza made a 79. Clyde Mondilla was out with an 80 in the event the Filipinos ruled in Malaysia last year.
The Putra Cup team of Zanie Boy Gialon (71), John Kier Abdon (75) and Art Arbole (75) wound up sixth in a field of seven, pooling a final round 221 for an 883, nipping Myanmar, which had an 885 after a 228.
Singapore held off Hong Kong, 216-218, to clinch the crown with an 846 with the hosts setting for runner-up with an 850. Indonesia placed third with an 860 after a 219 followed by Malaysia (220-862) and dethroned champion Thailand (221-880).(pr)

Dottie, Javyie hike Phl lead to 3

HONG KONG – Dottie Ardina shot a 68 and Jayvie Agojo bounced back with a 70 as the Philippines survived another backside meltdown with a 213 to pad its lead to three over Thailand in the third round of the Santi Cup of the Southeast Asia Amateur Golf Team Championships here, Thursday.
Andie Unson made a birdie-less 75, the same output put in by Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda, who sputtered with a 39 at the back, including a final hole bogey, with one of those five-over cards counting for the team’s 213 and a 54-hole total of 629.
Thailand, two shots adrift at the start of the round, pressed its bid at the back despite falling farther behind by five after nine holes. But Pavarisa Yoktuan failed to match teammates Pinrath Loomboonruang and Panitta Yusabai’s solid finishes and ended up with a 38 for a 74.
Loomboonruang rebounded from a triple-bogey 8 on No. 2 with five birdies in the last 14 holes, finishing with a 68 and preserving a one-stroke lead (204) over Ardina (205) in the individual race. Yusabai fought back from a 39 with a 33 for a 72 while Yoktuan counted despite a 74 for Thailand’s 214 and 632.
“Chihiro simply lost her focus at the back, missing a lot of putts but Dottie remains as solid as ever. Jayvie also made a good account of herself after two poor rounds while I hope Andie to bounce back tomorrow (Friday),” said national team and ICTSI golf squad coach Bong Lopez.
The ICTSI-backed ladies team, whose campaign along with the men’s and junior squads, is sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils. and supported by ICTSI and the Philippine Sports Commission, gained three more strokes over Thailand at the turn with an even-par aggregate as Ardina made a 33 and Agojo and Ikeda shot 36s. Unson made a 37.
But Ikeda made three straight bogeys from No. 11 and Unson bogeyed three of the first four holes. Agojo hit a birdie on No. 14 and parred the last four holes for a 70 while Ardina bogeyed No. 13 but birdie the 16th to preserve a two-under round.
 “This is very interesting. I missed a couple of birdie putts and made some poor shots but overall, it’s another good round,” said Ardina in Filipino.
Malaysia improved to third but stood too far behind at 654 after a 212, making the final round a shootout between the Filipinas and the Thais. Hong Kong slid to fourth with a 659 after a 229 followed by Singapore (223-668) and Indonesia (226-683).
Meanwhile, the national junior team moved one rung up to fourth with a 222 for a 667 but virtually yielded the Santi Cup crown as it remained 18 strokes behind Thailand.
The Putra Cup team, on the other hand, remained in the cellar with a 662 after a 219 although it closed within Thailand, which has a 659 after a 222, in a surprise duel of the region’s top teams at the tailend of the seven-team field with Myanmar barely ahead of the duo with a 657 after a 223.
Singapore unleashed a fiery third round charge as four players broke par with Jerome Ng’s 69 failing to count. Marc Ong led the attack with a 66, Tze Huang Choo shot a 67 and Gregory Foo carded a 68 for a nine-under 201 and a 54-hole aggregate of 630 as the Singaporeans grabbed a two-shot lead over halfway leader Hong Kong, who slid to second with a 632 despite a solid two-under 208.
Indonesia was far behind in third with a 641 after a 216 while Malaysia lay just a stroke behind at 642 after a 215.
Lloyd Go, a revelation from Cebu, matched par 70 to emerge the top scorer for the men’s team with Zanie Boy Gialon and Art Arbole adding 74 and 75, respectively, and John Kier Abdon out for the third straight time with a 78.
Andres Saldaña, meanwhile, led the juniors squad with a 73, Gio Gandionco made a 74 and either Rupert Zaragoza or Clyde Mondilla’s 75 counted for the team’s 222 and a 667.
The defending champion got past Singapore (229-671) and Hong Kong (231-693) but was too way behind Thailand, which braced for a final round shootout with Malaysia with a 649 after a 220. The Malaysians rallied with a 213 to move within three at 652. Indonesia is in third with a 662 after a 223.(pr)

Phl ladies eye breakthru in Santi Cup

Dottie Ardina and Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda hope to dish out the game expected of them as the Philippines takes another crack at the Santi Cup, one of the three titles to be disputed in the Putra Cup, which gets going Monday at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong.
Foiled in the first two editions of the event by the Thais, the Filipina golfers go all out this time with a strong roster that includes the two other spearheads of the ICTSI golf program – Andrea Unson and Jayvie Agojo.
The Phl ladies lost to the Thais by 11 strokes last year but are primed up for this week’s battle with ICTSI coach Bong Lopez expecting an explosive start for his star-studded crew.
“With their form and experience, I think we have a pretty good chance this year,” said Lopez.
Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion, is coming off a victory in the Thailand Open and Selangor Open recently while Ardina, winner of this year’s Queen Sirikit individual crown, also ruled the recent San Diego Masters and made the finals of the US Girls Open.
Unson, on the other hand, is the reigning Philippine Amateur champion, while Agojo is the former Philippine Ladies Open champion who also won the New Zealand foursomes with Sarah Ababa.
The men's team, composed of Zanie Boy Gialon, Art Arbole, John Kier Abdon and LJ Go, also tries to end Thailand's domination of the Putra Cup, also known as the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship. The Phl has not won the title since 1996 in Myanmar.
But focus will be on the junior squad, which sets out for a second straight championship in the Lion City Cup.
Led by Jobim Caros, the Phl held off Thailand's final round charge to win by four in Malaysia last year in a victory that made up for the men's and ladies squads' runner-up finishes in their respective events.
Reigning national champion Rupert Zaragoza will spearhead the squad this time in lieu of Carlos with support to come from former national titlist and last year's members Clyde Mondilla and Andres Saldana and Gio Gandiongco.
The delegation, headed by Tommy Manotoc and coaches Carito Villaroman (men's) and Boyet Zaragoza (juniors) left yesterday with the teams hoping to get at least two practice rounds at the tough layout.
The Phl contingent’s stint is sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils. with NGAP president Leandro Mendoza expressing confidence of each team’s title chances in the four-to-play, three-to-count format event spread over four days.(pr)

Ardina, Davao's Ikeda upbeat of US Am bid

Dottie Ardina and Davao City native Chihiro Ikeda head the six-player ICTSI-Philippines roster vying in this year’s US Women’s Amateur Championship, hopeful of their chances against the world’s leading players in the event firing off Aug. 8 in Rhode Island.
The team, which also includes former Philippine Ladies Open champions Jayvie Agojo and Cyna Rodriguez, Andie Unson and Dabawenya Sarah Ababa, found the par-71 Rhode Island Country Club layout tough when it had its first practice round Saturday but remained upbeat two days before the event.
“The course has been set up like in a US Open event with thick roughs and sleek putting surface,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez. “But the team is ready and in high spirits.”
The ICTSI-backed Filipinas spent the whole of Sunday at the range, hitting at varied distances.
“Driving will be the key, they must put their ball on the fairway to have any chance of reaching the green in regulation,” added Lopez.
No Filipina has ever come close to a title shot since former national team mainstay Dorothy Delasin won in 1999 at the Biltmore Forest Country Club in North Carolina with Rodriguez dropping out of the Last 16 stage in 2009.
A total of 156 players vie in the 36-hole stroke play competition with the top 64 advancing to the match play phase.
Ardina, the reigning Queen Sirikit Cup individual champion, has been seeded into the event with a runner-up finish in the recent US Girls Am. She also placed second in the Optimist International last month.
The rest earned their seats through qualifiers with Ikeda, the reigning Philippines Ladies Open champion, making it in York, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez and Agojo in Denver, Unson in California and Ababa in Hawaii.(pr)

Members of the ICTSI-Team Phl (from left) Andie Unson, Jayvie Agojo, Dottie Ardina, Cyna Rodriguez, Sarah Ababa and Chihiro Ikeda pose during a break in practice for the US Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ardina reaches US Girls Jrs final

Dottie Ardina came out of a two-hour rain delay in sizzling form, thumping
Summar Roachell of Arkansas, 5&4, in the quarterfinals then survived Yu Liu of
China, 2&1, in the semis to gain a shot at the US Girls Juniors Championship
crown at Olympia Fields in Illinois Friday.
Ardina, 17, continued to struggle on the greens but handled the pressure with
aplomb, pouncing on Liu’s back-to-back bogeys from No. 16 to clinch the victory
and reach the finals of the annual event for the first time.
“It feels good (to be in the finals),” said the top ICTSI-backed shotmaker, who
also had to battle severely blistered feet all day. She has three blisters on
each foot, which made walking tough. She shuffled her way around the course,
never giving in.
“But I need to make my (birdie) putts because I kind of missed a lot of chances
(against Liu),” added Ardina.

Standing in her title bid is Thai’s Ariya Jutanugarn, a 15-year-old gem who
recorded the largest margin of victory in the championship, an 8&6 rout of Amy
Lee in their own side of the semis duel.
“She’s a fighter. I’m confident she can match up with Jutanugarn,” said ICTSI
team coach Bong Lopez. “But she must polish her putting stroke since her ball
striking has been quite good and her iron game has been pretty solid.”
Liu actually came into the semis confident she could make it all the way to the
final but Ardina showed grace under pressure and foiled her bid while keeping
the Philippines’ hopes for a first-ever championship in the event alive.
Against Liu, Ardina rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt on No. 1 to grab the early
lead but the Chinese bet birdied the par-5 No. 4 to even the match which
remained all square for 10 of the next 12 holes.
But Liu stumbled with consecutive bogeys at the par-4 16th and 17th, handing the
reigning Queen Sirikit individual champion the victory.
In the morning quarterfinals, Ardina took five of the first nine holes to
dominate Roachell before the matches were interrupted by a two-hour, 13-minute
rain delay that dropped nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain over the
heat-baked South Course.
The 36-hole finale is set Saturday.
Over in North Carolina, Cyna Rodriguez flubbed a seven-foot par putt in the
fifth extra hole and bowed to Marina Alex in the quarterfinal round of the 109th
North and South Women’s Amateur Championship at Pinehurst No. 2.
It was a sorry loss for Rodriguez, who banged in a six-foot birdie putt on No.
16 to draw level but three-putted No. 18 to enable Alex to force a playoff.
Both players parred the first four playoff holes but Rodriguez overshot the pin
at the par-5 No. 5 green, the ball spinning back, leaving her a tough pitch shot
to get it up-and-down. She missed from seven feet while Alex two-putted for par
to win the match.(pr)

Ardina romps off with 7-shot win

Dottie Ardina capped another successful week by Filipino golfers in Thailand, closing out with a three-under 70 and posting a seven-stroke romp over ICTSI teammate Andrea Unson in the True Visions-Singha International Junior Golf Championship in Thailand Thursday.
Ardina turned up the heat midway in the final round at the par-73 Royal Green Valley Golf Club in Rayong, hitting five birdies in an 11-hole stretch as she turned a two-over card into a three-under total to dominate the premier Division A (15-20 years old) field.
Counting his early 73-76 rounds, Ardina pooled a 219 while Unson closed out with a two-over 75 and finished second with a 226, completing another 1-2 finish by the Phl bets one week after Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda nipped Ardina and Lovelynn Guioguio for the Thailand Ladies Open last week.
First day leader Xiyu Lin of China failed to recover from a second round 84 with a 74 as she settled for third with a 230 while Thai Nattapun Siritrai made a 78 for fourth at 236 and another local bet Chayanid Prapassarangkul placed fifth with a 237 after a 74.
“Dottie had a slow start but she turned it up midway. Her yardage control was really good and she putted well,” said JR Tanpinco, assistant coach of the ICTSI golf squad.
Daniella Uy, however, failed to make it a sweep for the Phl bets as she settled for second in Division B (13-14) with a 74 and a 227, seven shots behind Benyapa Niphatsophon of Thailand, who fired a one-under 72 for a 220.PR

Ardina bags title; Phl 2nd in Sirikit Cup

Dottie Ardina

Dottie Ardina used a strong start and a solid finish to fire a two-under 70 and turn back world No. 1 Hyo Joo Kim to snatch the individual crown in the 33rd Queen Sirikit Cup at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi, India Friday.

The Philippines settled for runner-up finish to South Korea, which cruised to its fifth straight victory in team play. But Ardina stunned the field with her awesome game, finishing with a 211 and nipping the fancied Hyo by one in their battle for the individual crown.

“I really wanted to win that’s why I gave it my best shot,” said Ardina, who overcame a three-stroke deficit to beat Korea’s top player. “It’s just too bad that we fell short of our title drive in team play.”

But her victory more than made up for that failed team title bid as Ardina, a many-time Junior World champion, proved her worth and showed she can beat even the best player in world.

With ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda of Davao City bouncing back with a 71 after a 78 in the second round, the Philippines closed out with a second straight 141 and a 429, four shots off Korea’s 425 aggregate in the 54-hole tournament among the leading teams in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jayvie Agojo, who counted for the team with a 71 in the second round, had a 74 and didn’t count for the squad, whose campaign was sanctioned by the Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Hyo, who routed the field last year in New Zealand and the reigning World Amateur individual champion, cracked under pressure from Ardina and hobbled with a 74 for the team’s 143 output.

“The girls played very good today. They held their ground and bucked the pressure of playing with the fancied Koreans for the third straight day,” said national team coach and ICTSI mentor Bong Lopez.

“But it was a big win and a big boost for Dottie. By beating the world No. 1, I’m sure she’ll be winning big tournaments again,” said Lopez, whose wards also posted the country’s best finish at No. 8 in the World Amateurs last year while re-staking their claim as the top ladies team in Southeast Asia.

Ardina, 17, birdied the first three holes in impressive fashion to catch up with Hyo but dropped a shot on No. 4 and made the turn at 34. She three-putted No. 11 for another bogey and dropped two shots on the long par-3 12th when she pulled her 4-iron tee shot in the bushes.

But the veteran internationalist bounced back with birdies on Nos. 13 and 14 inside five feet and took a one-shot lead over the Korean ace heading to the par-5 18th. Hyo reached the green in two but flubbed an 18-foot eagle putt while Ardina laid it up and pitched to within five feet to match her rival’s birdie for the win.(pr)

3-way battle looms as So Ladies fires off

Andie Unson tries to foil the highly anticipated Dottie Ardina-Chihiro Ikeda showdown as she joins the title hunt in the Southern Ladies golf tournament which beginsThursday, Feb. 3 at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia, Bacolod.
Her confidence boosted by her victory in the last week’s The Country Club Invitational where she emerged the low amateur, Unson, 16, hopes to re-display her top form and play a more mature game in a bid to keep her win run going early in the season.
But the recent winner of the Philippine International Junior Golf crown will be facing a pair of aces out to redeem themselves from their failed bid at TCC with Ardina seeking a second straight championship in the 54-hole tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.
Ardina hit a birdie on final hole to nip Ikeda in a thrilling title duel last year in Iloilo with another down-to-the-wire finish again expected with Ikeda raring to get back at her tormentor and likewise add the crown to her Philippine Ladies Open diadem last month.
But focus will be on Unson, who hopes to compensate her drawback to Ardina and Ikeda off the tee with a solid iron game and steady putting over the tight, rolling fairways that require accurate iron shots.
“While premium is on driving on this course, I think Andie has a big chance because her ball striking is solid and she is playing with a lot of confidence and putts well,” said ICTSI golf team and national women’s team coach Bong Lopez.
The 48th staging of the annual event was launched yesterday through the traditional 18-hole Lam-Am tournament with Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia, Philippine Olympic Committee chair Monico Puentevella, NGAP sec-gen Edgar Arceo Jr., NGAP auditor and NGAP ladies committee head Alice Andrada and Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano, and Leandro Lopez Montelibano, treasurer of the host club, hitting the ceremonial drives.
Also on tap are the 36-hole team competition and the seniors division to be played under the Stableford scoring system (net of handicap).
The centerpiece event will be disputed under the Molave scoring format with Jayvie Agojo also fancied to contend for the crown in the tournament backed by the PSC, Kaiser International, Directories Phils. Corp (DPC) Yellow Pages, Hans Brumann Jeweler, WWWExpress, DHL Express and Business Inn, the official hotel.
Agojo, the former Phl Ladies Open winner, is trying to make a comeback to big-time golf after a long absence, falling short to nail her first victory with a runner-up finish in the recent China Amateur Open.
Also in the roster are veteran campaigner Lovelynn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa and Sunshine Baraquiel of the ICTSI golf squad and the leading players from Alabang, Tagaytay Highlands, Orchard, Aguinaldo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Valley, Pueblo de Oro, Villamor and Riviera.(pr)

Dottie grabs 2-shot lead vs Cyna

Dottie Ardina fired a two-under par 70 in tough playing condition at the windy The Country Club, Wednesday, posting a two-stroke lead over defending champion Cyna Rodriguez and setting in motion her bid for a first-ever Philippine Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship.
Ardina bucked the testy pin placements and a three-putt bogey mishap on No. 7, her lone black mark in an otherwise solid round that featured three long birdies, including a pair of 16 footers on Nos. 6 and 16 that helped propel her to the top of a foreign-flavored field.
"It's tough out there, with the wind blowing, the tough pin placements and the speed of the greens so difficult to read. I think I was just lucky enough to sink those long putts," said Ardina, who also rammed in an eight-foot birdie putt on No. 8 for a 35-35 round.
That gave her an early two-shot cushion over Rodriguez, putting the 17-year-old spearhead of the ICTSI golf squad on track for a crack for a breakthrough victory in the 54-hole tournament organized by Women's Golf Association of the Phils.
The many-time Junior World champion, however, will have a lot of hard work and warding off to do with Rodriguez leading a slew of players out to foil Ardina's title bid in the tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Bingo Bonanza, Pacsports-Nike Golf and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Rodriguez, who blasted the field to score a seven-shot romp over Lovelynn Guioguio at Southwoods last year, played a steady round of 72 marred by a bogey on the par-5 No. 8 and marked by a birdie on the next.
The University of Southern California scholar parred the last nine holes at the back and stayed in the hunt for a back-to-back crown while Thai Juruporn Ayutthaya and Korean Park Sun Hyun turned in identical 73s to lead the foreign challenge.
Reigning national champion Irina Gabasa likewise stood within striking distance with a two-over 74 card, failing to tie Rodriguez in second with two bogeys in the last three holes.
2008 champion Chihiro Ikeda also carded a 74, failing to recover from back-to-back bogey opening and finishing with a 37-37 card while Jayvie Agojo, chasing her second Phl Ladies Open title after a 2005 romp at the Manila Golf Club, shot a 75 to fall into a tie with Sunshine Baraquiel, Arieane Salvador and Guioguio.
Fancied Yupaporn Kawinpakorn of Thailand birdied No. 17 but dropped two strokes on the challenging par-4 18th and limped home with a 76, falling six shots off Ardina.
Other four over par scorers were Koreans Jung So Li and Kim Hyeon Ji, Princess Superal and Andie Unson, who is coming off a big win in the Philippine International Junior Golf Championships at Greenfield last week.
Malaysian Am champion Diana Tham also groped for form with a 39-39 round to fall into the company of Clare Legaspi, Apple Fudolin and Daniella Uy, one stroke behind Sarah Ababa and Sheryl Villasencio, who both had 77s.
The tournament is backed by Bug Busters, Sky Broadband, RCBC, Absolute, HSBC, Baileys, Inquirer Golf, Chemical Applicators and Co., Inc., De Capricho Jewelers, Gov. Jay Jay C. Suarez of Quezon Province, MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Air 21, Jungolf Phils., EEI, The Mills Country Club, Burger King, Omnisource.(pr)

Chase on for Phl Ladies Open crown, Davao's Ikeda in great form

ARDINA

IKEDA

YUPAPORN

Premium will be on shot making and putting as the battle for this year’s
Philippine Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship crown begins Wednesday,
Jan. 12, at The Country Club in Laguna featuring an 82-woman strong
international field.
It will be an early clash of the fancied bets as Dottie Ardina slugs it out with
reigning Malaysia Amateur champion Diana Tham and Thai ace Juruporn Ayutthaya in
one of the featured flights in the 54-hole tournament that lured one of the
strongest casts in years.
Ardina, eager to nail down the crown missing in her wide collection of local and
international trophies, hopes to come up with a strong start against Tham and
Ayutthaya, two of a slew of foreign bets tipped to contend for this year’s crown
in the country’s premier ladies golfing championship sponsored by San Miguel
Corp., Bingo Bonanza, Pacsports-Nike Golf and the Philippine Sports Commission.
There are also former champions Chihiro Ikeda and Jayvie Agojo, last week’s
Philippine International Junior Golf Championship winner Andie Unson, veteran
campaigner Lovelynn Guioguio and defending champion Cyna Rodriguez, who make up
the core of the ICTSI golf squad vying in the tournament organized by the
Women’s Golf Association of the Phils.
“Chihiro is showing great form and is raring to go coming off the holiday break
while Jayvie is hungry for a title, Andie is oozing with confidence following
her victory at Greenfield and Lovelynn is also due for a win,” said ICTSI mentor
Nestor Mendoza.
But they will be pitted against a talent-laden international field, headed by
Thais Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, Dolnapa Phudthipinji, Jittakarn chandraviroj and
Ayutthaya, and a host of scratch players from Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Japan and
South Korea, making the race for this year’s championship at the wind-raked
layout wide open.
“It’s anybody’s race on a course as tough as TCC. The greens are fast but who
can best control the ball flight will win,” said ICTSI head coach Bong Lopez,
whose wards hope to flash their familiarity with the course they call home.
Ikeda is ranged against Indonesia’s top player Ines Chandra Putri and Del
Monte’s Apple Fudolin right after the 8:20 a.m. flight of the Ardina group while
Rodriguez, hard pressed to duplicate her seven-stroke romp over Guioguio at
Southwoods last year, is paired with Kristine Leonen, also of Del Monte, and
Phudthipinji in the 8:40 a.m. flight.
Focus will also be on reigning national champion Irina Gabasa, the small but
solid-hitting shotmaker from Alta Vista who drew Korean Sun Yun Park and Aretha
Pan of Malaysia in the 8:50 a.m. group.
Meanwhile, the event, backed by Bug Busters, RCBC, Absolute, HSBC, Baileys,
Inquirer Golf, Chemical Applicators and Co., Inc., De Capricho Jewelers, Gov.
Jay Jay C. Suarez of Quezon Province, MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Air 21,
Jungolf Phils., EEI, The Mills Country Club, Burger King, Omnisource, was
launched in simple rites yesterday with WGAP president Rio Co welcoming the
participants.
Other WGAP officials are Marilen Bantug, Adele Olives, Theresa Staub, Marissa
Romano, Lydia Reyes, Colo Ventosa, Lorna Tabuena, Farah Imperial and Remy
Romero-Salas.
Also in the fold are the leading players of the various golf clubs in the
country, including those from Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Soutwoods, Valley Golf,
Orchard, Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands, Alta Vista, Forest Hills, Pueblo de Oro,
Cangolf, Del Monte, Navy and Southwoods.(pr)

Gutsy Pinays turn in best finish of joint 8th

Gutsy Pinays turn in best finish of joint 8th

Dottie Ardina birdied two of the last four holes to fire a one-under 71 and
power the Philippines to a best-ever joint eighth finish in over four decades in
the World Amateurs Golf Team Championships topped by South Korea in Argentina
Saturday.
Chihiro Ikeda also birdied the par-5 15th to card a 74 at the Olivos Golf Club
as Team RP closed out with a decent one-over 145 in another brutal condition for
a 72-hole haul of one-under 575.
That was 29 strokes behind Korea’s amazing 30-under 546 but it proved enough to
better the country’s previous best finish of ninth in 1968 in Australia.
RP, then composed of Ikeda, Louise Manalo and Anya Tanpinco, placed joint 19th,
also in Australia, in 2008.
Mia Piccio, who anchored the team’s fine start with a 71, failed to count for
the third straight day with a 75.
“Mission accomplished,” said RP and ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez, who credited
her wards’ final round rebound after they succumbed to pressure and the tough
condition at Buenos Aires Golf Club layout in the third round.
“They really worked hard for this. The course and the pin position were super
tough not to mention the chilly weather and the wind,” said Lopez. “They knew
putting would carry them through the Top 10 and they delivered in the closing
holes.”
Ardina, 16, bucked her two-bogey mishaps with three birdies, including the last
from seven feet for that 71, as she wound up also tied for eighth in the
individual competition with a 286 aggregate.
Piccio, who turned 19 Saturday, wound up joint 48th at 295 while Ikeda, also 19,
finished a stroke farther back at 296 for a share of 53rd.
South Korea capped its domination of the event with a 139 for that 546 and a
17-stroke romp over the United States, who had a 563 after a 143.
Han Jung-eun shot a 70-275, Kim Ji-hee turned in a 71-277 and Kim Hyun-soo made
a 69-278 as they took the top three placers for a rare sweep of the individual
race, making them the team to beat in next monthAsian Games.
Sweden (146), France (147) and South Africa (148) finished tied for third at 572
while Spain placed sixth with a 573 after a 148 and Canada pooled a 143 for solo
sevent at 574.
Germany struggled with a 152 while New Zealand assembled a 142 to join the
Philippines, who campaigned was sponsored by ICTSI and sanctioned by the
National Golf Association of the Phils., at eighth.
Lopez said Team RP’s joint eighth feat augurs well for their Asian Games’ bid
although he admitted that the Koreans will indeed be tough to beat. Ardina and
Piccio headed straight to the US and will arrive in Manilaon Nov. 10 before
going to Guangzhou while Ikeda will toughen up by playing in a couple of more
tournaments.(pr)

Ardina sizzles with flawless 65, powers RP to fourth; Davao's Ikeda rebounds with a two-under 70

Dottie Ardina put on a class act on the world stage, firing a bogey-free seven
under par 65 as the Philippines surged to a best-ever spot at fourth with a
nine-under 279 halfway through the World Amateur Golf Team Championships in
Argentina Thursday.
Ardina joined the South Koreans in ripping the Buenos Aires Golf Club course
with a run of low scores as the former Junior World champion rammed in seven
birdies sparked by a 20-footer on No. 4 and capped by superb approach shot on
the 18th that stopped within four feet.
“She played excellent golf, her all-around game was close to being perfect,”
said RP and ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez of his prized ward, who struggled a bit
with a 73 in the opening round at the nearby Olivos Golf Club layout Wednesday.
With Chihiro Ikeda rebounding from a 77 with a two-under 70, Team RP pooled a
nine-under 135 and jumped from joint ninth to solo fourth with a 279 as they
head back to the Olivos course for the third round action Friday.
Mia Piccio, who led Team RP’s impressive first round performance with a gutsy
one-under 71, groped for her putting form and didn’t count with a 73 for the
squad, whose campaign is sponsored by the International Container Terminal
Services, Inc. and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils.
Korea fired a record-setting 16-under-par 128, also at the BAGC, for a 15-under
273, one stroke ahead of first round leader USA, which had a 274 after a 138
while Germany matched RP’s 135 for third at 277.
The Koreans shattered the record for a single-round of 134 set by the US in the
second round in 1998 as Jee-Hi Kim shot a nine-under 63, also a new mark, and
Jung-Eun Han added a 65.
Ardina’s 65 also lifted her from a share of 33rd to joint fifth in the
individual race as she assembled a 138, just four shots behind Jessica Korda of
the US, who had a 134 after a 66. Argentina’s Manuela Carbajo Re (67), Canada’s
Christine Wong (65) and Han were tied at 137 followed by Ardina’s group that
includes Pia Halbig of Germany (67) and Kim.
Piccio slid from 11th to joint 23rd with a 144 while Ikeda moved up to 55th from
91st with a 147.
It was the Philippines’ best-ever effort so far in the biennial event featuring
the world’s top teams with Lopez hoping his talented squad, honed and toughened
up by a series of competitions abroad, will be able to sustain its charge in the
last 36 holes as they go for a record feat.
The Philippines’ best finish in the Espirito Santo Trophy was ninth in the 1968
edition in Australia.
“It will be tough to at least match that feat but the girls will surely give
their best shot. Dottie and Chihiro have regained their confidence after a
series of so-so performances while Mia has matured a lot and has been dishing
out solid games,” said Lopez.
Ardina, winner of the recent Karambunai Am Open in Malaysia, hit 15 greens in
regulation and used her putter 27 times, knocking down birdies on Nos. 4, 6, 8,
11, 13, 16 and 18 inside 10 feet.
After an awful first round game, Ikeda stayed late on the range and worked on
her shot-making then headed straight to the practice greens to polish her
stroke.
The Fil-Japanese shotmaker, who ruled the Singapore Am last September, birdied
the first three holes in the second round but fumbled with a bogey on No. 5, hit
another birdie on the par-3 11 before dropping another stroke on the 17th for a
34-36 card.
Piccio continued to play steady golf, hitting 14 greens in regulation but
flubbed a number of birdie opportunities and settled for a one-birdie, two-bogey
stint for a 36-37 round.(pr)

RP ladies open bid in World Am

The Philippines hopes to come out strong despite drawing a late morning tee-off
in the first two rounds of the Espirito Santo Trophy which gets under way
Wednesday (Oct. 20) at the Olivos Golf Club and Buenos Aires Golf Club in
Argentina.
Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda, Dottie Ardina and Mia Piccio set out at the 10:40 a.m. flight at
the Olivos layout, raring to slug it out with rivals from South Africa and
Latvia and the 50 other nations competing in the ladies side of the World
Amateur Golf Championship.
“The roughs are thick so it is imperative for the girls to hit it straight,”
said RP and ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez, confident of her wards’ chances against
the best in the world in the three-to-play, two-to-count format event.
The Philippines placed 19th in the last staging of the biennial event in
Australia, ahead of SEA Games rivals Thailand (21st), Malaysia (37th) and
Singapore (42nd), with Ikeda then teaming up with Anya Tanpinco and former RP
Ladies Open champion and now Belgium-based Louise Manalo.
This time, Lopez said RP’s chances for a top 10 finish looks good with the
ICTSI-backed RP ladies, one of the earliest teams to arrive in this second
largest South American country, ready to tackle the field and the two courses
characterized by thick roughs, tight dog-legs and fast greens.
“Emphasis will also be on the iron play and putting since the greens are so fast
you have to put your approach shots on the right slopes,” said Lopez.
Ikeda, the reigning SEA Games individual champion, and the US-based Ardina and
Piccio had the luxury of familiarizing themselves with the two layouts for four
days although the troika found both courses tough, especially if the wind come
into play.
The RP ladies tee off at 11:50 a.m. at the Buenos Aires layout in the second
round with Belgium and Colombia.
Sweden romped off with a 12-shot win over Spain in 2008 and is one of teams
again tipped to vie for the championship that drew 53 nations, topping the
previous high of 48 in Puerto Rico in 2004 and Australia two years ago.
The men’s side of the event, the Eisenhower Cup, will be played Oct. 27-30 with
the Philippines to be bannered by Mhark Fernando, Jerson Balasabas and US-based
Judson Eustaquio.
The men’s team, then led by now pros and Dabawenyos Ferdie Aunzo and Rufino Bayron and
Balasabas, finished tied for 27th with Austria and Iceland with Scotland beating
the fancied United States by nine strokes to win the crown.(pr)

Ardina rallies with 69, outsteadies Davao's Ikeda to cop Karambunai crown

Dottie Ardina battled back from two strokes down and outsteadied ICTSI teammate
Chihiro Ikeda of Davao in a backside shootout to fire a 69 and capture the 10th
Karambunai Amateur Open 2010 by three strokes at the Nexus Golf Club and Resort
in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia Sunday.
Ardina used a near-impeccable short game to turn back Ikeda, coming up with two
superb iron shots in the last four holes for birdies, including on the 18th
that
capped her fightback from two strokes after a three-over 75 in the second
round.
She had a 34-35.
The reigning Southern Ladies champion totaled a 213, including an opening 69,
for a three-shot romp over Ikeda, who kept the lead with a 35 at the front but
reeled back with a double-bogey 6 on No. 14 where she reached the green in four.
Ikeda, winner here in 2008, wound up with a 74 and a 216 for second while
Jayvie
Agojo completed the ICTSI bets’ 1-2-3 finish with a 221 after matching par 72.
Sarah Ababa, who won the Malaysian Junior Open last week, took fourth place
with
a 223 after a 72 while Lovelynn Guioguio shot a 75 and placed fifth at 225
followed by Malaysian Diana Tham (75-226), Andie Unson (75-229) and Celeste Lo,
also of Malaysia (82-235).
The victory also primed up Ardina, together with Ikeda, for this week’s Santi
Cup, the ladies competition of the annual Putra Cup firing off tomorrow
in Kuala
Lumpur.
But the RP bets failed to complete a sweep as two-day leader Dante Becierra
cracked under pressure at the back, limping with a six-over card for a 78,
enabling Malaysian Lam Yu Shuen to snatch the win with a 226 after a 73.
Peter Villaber, who trailed Becierra in the first two days, also sputtered with
a triple bogey 6 on No. 16 with Shuen pouncing on the Filipinos’ erratic finish
to post a one-stroke victory in the men’s side.
Villaber settled for second with a 227 after a 75 while Becierra slid to third
with a 228 followed by Malaysians Peter Tan (75-229) and Lee Ka Tung (74-231),
Kenneth Kano (78-234), Alexes Nallos (82-234), Art Arbole (81-240), Paul
Echaves
(84-241) and Bino dela Paz (79-248).(pr)