Ardina thumps top seed, gains final
Ardina, who reached the semis in last month’s WWGA National Amateur Championship, outplayed her tall American rival with a near-flawless game at the frontside of TPC’s River Bend layout, firing four birdies for a four-under card after nine holes and going 5-up at the turn.
The 13-year-old Filipino shotmaker needed only four more holes to wrap up the match and arrange a title showdown with Kelly Shon, the US-based Korean who defeated Catherine O’Donnell, 4 and 3, in the other semis duel.
“It was fun to watch her play,” said Meier from Michigan, who topped the 18-hole stroke play qualifier, of Ardina, whose golf resume includes a victory in the 11-12 age group in last year’s Junior World and the recent Sabah Amateur Championships and DHL Open back home.
In the morning quarterfinal match, Ardina, spearhead of the ICTSI-backed squad competing in various US tournaments, survived West Chester resident Kelsey Lindenschmidt, 2 and 1, to avenge compatriot Mia Piccio’s 5 and 3 loss in the last 16.
Shon outlasted
Meanwhile, Bambee de la Paz likewise posted two victories in the day to advance to the final of the Championship Consolation Flight against local bet Kathleen Glavin.
De la Paz nipped Samantha Lancaster of Ohio, 1-up, in the quarterfinal round in the morning match then ripped Erin Sharpee of Wisconsin in their semis showdown in the afternoon, 7 and 5.
Glavin booted out Alex Lederhausen, 3 and 2, in the quarters then nipped Sharmira Marshall after 20 holes.
Ardina, gearing up for next week’s Junior World where she vies in the 13-14 age category, is actually chasing her fourth victory abroad after ruling the Thai Juniors, the Sabah Amateur and the Malaysian Ladies Open.
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