RP golfers launch Junior World bids

SAN DIEGO – Forty-eight Filipino junior players begin their respective bids in the 39th edition of Callaway Junior World Golf Championships on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), eyeing to make it to the exclusive club of 12 age-group winners in the annual competition that again has lured a thousand players from around the globe.

The Philippines has sent one of the biggest delegations ever in its long history of participation here hoping to continue its now three-year streak of posting victories in different age brackets.

Despite losing her set to thieves during the opening ceremonies at Torrey Pines, Dottie Ardina has adjusted well to her replacement clubs and all eyes will be on the pony-tailed lass considered as the country’s best hope in this event where 52 countries and 40 states of the host country are represented.

Ardina is always at her best on her second try at a division title which is proven by her capture of the 8-under crown in 2002 and a strong runner-up finish two years later in the 9-10 class. Last year in her first try at the 11-12 years plum, she was in the thick of things until a struggling back nine led her to a fifth place showing.

The 48 RP bets playing under the auspices of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines with the support of Philippine Airlines, Samsung, ICTSI, Pagcor and PCSO will be scattered in six different golf courses, competing against fields of varying strengths and sizes.

The country’s only entry in the youngest division (6 years and under), Chloe Reyes, for instance, will only have to beat seven players to crown herself the champion as against the likes of Class A bets Miko Yee and reigning Philippine Ladies Open champ Debbie de Villa who will contend with more than 140 confirmed rivals.

Delegation head Bang Mamaril, president of Jungolf, said that all members of Team Philippines have prepared well for Junior World, some arriving as early as two weeks ago to compete in a lot of tune-up events in San Diego and even the east coast.

"They came here to win and we can only hope that we’ll keep our winning streak. If we can win two titles that will be spectacular," said Mamaril.

Last year, Wolen Superal won the boys 11-12 years with a mind-boggling effort of 21 under par while JR Gonzales took the boys 7-8 years plum a year earlier.

Superal has recovered well from a hip surgery and will be campaigning in the tough Class B (13-14 years) while lefty Gonzales is entered in the Class D (9-10 years).

Also expected to contend are Abby Arevalo, last year’s runner-up in Class F who won in the Pepsi Little People two weeks ago, Andie Unson, Miguel Tabuena, Cyna Rodriguez, AR Ramos, Mia Piccio and Mia Legaspi, who were all very impressive in practice leading to this week’s much-awaited event.

Siblings in the delegation are the Superals (Wolen, Crystal and Princess), Vasandanis (Rachita, Juily, Shailesh and Vijay), Monsalves (Ryan and Mara) and de Villas (Angela and Debbie).