Young Ardina, Ramos stand tall in US junior golf tourney

Dottie Ardina and AR Ramos capped Team Philippines’ victorious campaign on American soil by topping their respective divisions Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in the fourth US Kids World Golf Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Ardina finally scored one after a series of frustrations when she posted a three-stroke win in the division for nine-year-old girls, marking the second straight year that she emerged as champion after her victory in the 8-year-old category in 2002.

Ramos delivered an unexpected hit for the contingent backed by Philippine Airlines, the Philippine Sports Commission, Samsung, Airlift Asia, MCCI and Global Lighting in the boys six years and under division, pulling off a wire-to-wire win at the Williamsburg National Golf Club.

Ardina also led the Philippines to a runner-up finish in the team competition for girls.

The other Philippine bets also made a good account of themselves with Wolen Juan Superal placing second in the boys 10 years division, Kristina Potenciano fourth in the girls 8 years division, Mia Piccio fourth in the girls 11 years age-group, Debbie de Villa seventh in the 12 years category and Miguel Tabuena seventh in the boys 8 years bracket.

Tabuena and Superal failed in their bids for a followup to their winning performances in the Desert Junior Classic after struggling over the rainy and muddy conditions in the final round.

In Manila, Amalia Montecillo, chair of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, praised the RP kids for showing to the world that the country remains a good source of jungolf talents.

"This is, indeed, one of our best campaigns in the United States. Our kids really worked hard all summer and my congratulations go to everybody in the team especially to their parents who have always given them the needed support," said Montecillo.

About 700 kids from the United States and all over the world played in the US Kids.

The victories of Ramos and Ardina added to previous wins by Jayvie Agojo in Temecula and San Francisco, Tonlits Asistio in Temecula and Superal, Tabuena and Terence Macatangay in Palm Springs, California.

Agojo was still fighting for the girls 16-18 years division title in the Optimist International in West Palm Beach, Florida yesterday.