Aussie stints augur well for Ardina, Agojo

MANILA, Philippines - The recent two-leg Australian swing by Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo has toughened up the ICTSI-The Country Club spearheads as they gear up for more battles abroad next year in pursuit of golfing glory.

While stressing the need to improve more on distance and short game, ICTSI-TCC coach Bong Lopez said Ardina and Agojo played well Down Under and showed they can be at par with stronger, taller rivals even under adverse playing condition.

“They did well in Australia. In fact, a number of Aussie players couldn’t believe that there are good Filipino players around. Some even asked about our training program since Dottie and Jayvie bested all members of the Australian national team in the two tournaments,” said Lopez.

He added: “This is what our players get when we test them against some of the world’s best. They know where they stand and Dottie and Jayvie are now unfazed when faced with the kind of opposition.”

Ardina, winner of at least three titles this year, including the Taiwan Amateur and Penang Open, set a new record seven-under 65 at the Dunes Links in Rye, Victoria, vaulting to a share of the lead in the second round before ending up third in Dunes Medal Golf Championship ruled by Su Hyun Oh.

Agojo, the reigning Santi Cup champion, fought back with an even par 72 in the final round to finish fifth.

The week before in the Elvie Whitesides Golf Championship in Hobart, Tasmania won by Aussie No. 1 and world No. 4 Minjee Lee, Ardina placed fourth despite a closing three-under card while Agojo settled for sixth.

“The Dunes Medal is a very high ranking Australian event and Dottie played well while Jayvie held up by scoring an even par card in the last day,” said Lopez.

He added that the Aussie stint offered valuable training for the duo since the courses vary from the traditional western designed courses in Queensland and New South Wales and a lot of links type layouts in the Morning Peninsula courses of the Victoria State.

“We learned a lot about how to handle these grueling conditions brought about by the weather elements,” said Lopez, referring to the Dunes event where they played in extreme condition – in sun and rain with temperatures varying from 12 to 39 degrees.

 “But we still need to gain a little more distance since we are often ranged against taller, stronger rivals, especially the Koreans. We need to do more gym work and golf fitness and at the same time work further on our short game,” he added.