Eight-year-old twinkles in US Kids golf tourney

Dottie Ardina of the Philippines completed a double victory on American soil by ruling the 8-under division of the US Kids World Golf Championship at the Kingsmill Golf Resort course in Williamsburg, Virginia on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Fresh from topping the same age-group in the San Diego Junior World last July 18, eight-year-old Ardina fired 9-hole rounds of 26 and 28 at a par-35 course designed for her age-group for an 18-hole total of 54 that gave her an eight-stroke win in her division.

Courtney Hooton of Southern California placed second behind the Philippine Airlines-sponsored Ardina after carding 62 and Alexis Thomson of Florida wound up third with a 63 in the tourney that attracted entries from 37 countries and 50 states of the US.

Two other entries of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, Miguel Tabuena and Mia Piccio, also posted impressive finishes. Tabuena placed fifth in the boys 8-under while Mia Piccio checked in sixth in the girls 12 years division.