Unson low medalist in US Am qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - Andrea Unson put in a near-flawless round of four-under par 68 to emerge the low medalist in the US Women’s Amateur Sectional Qualifier at the Brookside Country Club in Stockton, California last week.

Unson, winner of the San Diego Junior Masters early in the month but struggled to finish tied for 14th in the premier division of the Junior World in San Diego two weeks ago, hit all fairways and missed the greens three times while making just 29 putts for a 34-34 card.

She bested 72 other qualifiers in one of the sectional elims for this year’s US Women’s Amateur slated Aug. 9-15 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Her driving was awesome and she putted really well. It was an impressive rebound from her mediocre finish in San Diego,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez, referring to his ward’s joint 14th finish in the Junior World last week.

Sarah Ababa carded a one-over 73 and wound up seventh to make the eight-player cut in the Stockton elims.

Unson and Ababa will thus join ICTSI teammates Mia Piccio and Lovelynn Guioguio, also the low medalist in the Hawaii qualifier, the most number of RP-ICTSI bets to see action in the tournament proper of the US premier women’s amateur championship.

“This just goes to show that their hard work in training and determination to excel are paying off,” said Lopez.