RP amateur golf draws strong cast

Next week’s 41st Philippine Amateur Ladies Open golf championship at the Manila Golf Club course inside Forbes Park will feature one of the strongest lineups in recent years with Heidi Chua expected to have her hands full defending the crown.

Chua, who won at her Wack Wack home course, will not only contend with her Busan Asian Games teammates — Ria Denise Quiazon and Carmelette Villaroman — but a horde of challengers including a big foreign contingent.

Though the US-based Quiazon is her most likely opponent for the crown, Thailand and Malaysia have confirmed the participation of their national players that should make the 54-hole competition on Jan. 15-17 organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines very keen.

Among the 82 ladies from eight countries are ex-pro Yvette de Leon, who won in 1987, jungolf sensation Jayvie Agojo and another ex-titlist Aileen Yao.

Players from the Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, England and Japan are joining the tourney sponsored by Pagcor, PCSO, PSC, ICTSI, Nestle, PLDT, Rustan’s, International Distillery, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Golden Donuts, Sentry, RCBC, Crucible Gallery and Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc.