Int'l cast begins Open quest

MANILA, Philippines - A power-packed international cast sets out today at the tough Wack Wack’s East course, seeking solid start for the momentum needed in the hunt for the Philippine Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship golden crown.

Premium will be on shot-making and putting as the battle for this year’s title is tipped to be a wide-open one given the depth of the competing field that includes the leading players from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore and a course noted for its toughness with its tight fairways, thick roughs and sleek putting surface.

“We can score here but we have to be in best shape,” said Dottie Ardina, after yesterday’s practice round at the par-72 layout spruced up to championship form.

The reigning Queen Sirikit Cup champion is eager not only to nail her first Open diadem on the event’s golden staging but also to atone for her final round fold-up in last Sunday Philippine Amateur at Canlubang where she holed out with an 84 and limped home in seventh.

Lovelynn Guioguio won that one, adding the Phl Am title to her Samsung Open diadem fashioned out late last year at Summit Point. But the 24-year-old Bukidnon native has opted to downplay her chances for crown in the event sponsored by Champion Infinity and presented by Pacsports.“I really don’t expect to score back-to-back victories. Wack Wack’s East is tough, especially the greens, and I’m still trying to polish my putting stroke.

Truly, the ICTSI-backed bets, who include Andie Unson, Sarah Ababa, Sunshine Baraquiel and Daniella Uy, also a winner of last week’s Philippine International Junior Golf crown, will be in for a tough outing with Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, the 2007 champion, leading a crack Thailand contingent that includes SEA Games silver medalist Pinrath Pinrath Loomboonruang and top jungolfers Savitree Thavong and Pathamaporn Ariyamatepreecha.

“The greens are tricky and it’s hard to say if I can win again,” said the 20-year-old Kawinpakorn, trying to repeat as champ after beating Malaysian Ainil Johani Abu Bakar by two strokes at The Country Club five years ago.

Joining the title chase in the 54-hole championship, organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Phils., are scratch players from Korea, Japan, Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US.

“Wack Wack is in its best form in time for next month’s Philippine Open. The roughs are thick and you have to put your drive in the fairway to have a chance to score well,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez, whose wards include the leading contenders for the crown. “So, I’ll tell them to play a conservative game all the way.”

The event was ushered in yesterday with a cocktail among participants and officials at Wack Wack Clubhouse after the traditional ceremonial tee-off.

Clubs all over the country will also be fielding their best bets in the Open, which will also feature the Class A and Class B events after the classification on the second day.

Playing are entries from Canlubang, Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Southwoods, Valley Golf, Orchard, AFP Golf Club (formerly Aguinaldo GC), Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands, Alta Vista, Forest Hills, Pueblo de Oro, Canlubang, Del Monte, Navy and Southwoods.

Diamond Motors and Mitsubishi Motors are putting up brand-new cars for hole-in-one feats in the tournament backed by Mizuno and Titleist as the other ace sponsors, Duty Free Phils., Purefoods, San Miguel Corp., and Philippine Daily Inquirer, Omnisource, Coca-Cola, ABS-CBN, Alabang Ladies, Bailey’s Burger King, Canlubang Ladies, De Capricho Jewellers, EEI, Forest Hills Ladies, Green Cross, Holiday Inn, Jardin San Antonio Memorial Park, Malarayat Ladies, Mancare Health Systems, Inc., Manila Golf Ladies, Megaforce Security and Allied Services, Inc., Mills, Nescafe, RCBC, Southwoods Ladies, Sta. Elena Ladies, Tagaytay Highlands Ladies, Tres Palmas, Waterworld Trading Corp., Villamor Golf Club Ladies Chapter and A Round of Golf.