Nat’l Ladies Open draws crack int’l field

MANILA, Philippines - The Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open 2013 fires off Wednesday with the cream of the local crop slugging it out with the leading players and rising stars from region and beyond at the challenging Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.

Suthavee Chanachai, Benyapa Niphatsophon and Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong head a crack Thailand squad while Aretha Pan Herng, Michelle Koh and scratch player Loy Hee Ying banner the Malaysian team vying for top honors in the 51st staging of the country’s premier ladies golfing championship, according to Marissa Romano, president of the organizing Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Korean Yang Ju Young will also try to keep the crown won by absentee compatriot Lee Jeong Hwa at Wack Wack last year while Australia is fielding in Prescila Keogh and Zoe Ticehurst.

American Suzette Kirchner and Gillian Sim and Meenah Fong of Singapore have also confirmed participation, ensuring a banner cast in the 54-hole event presented for the second straight year by Champion Infinity, the No. 1 local brand in Northern Luzon and Visayas, 

Newly crowned Philippine Ladies Amateur champion Dottie Ardina and last year’s runner-up Princess Superal spearhead the ICTSI-The Country Club team along with former winner and reigning Hong Kong Amateur champion Cyna Rodriguez, Santi Cup titlist Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa, Lovelynn Guioguio and new ICTSI members Abegail Arevalo and Sophia Chabon.

The other local challengers are Sophia Blanco, Samantha Bruce, Annika Cedo, Inez del Rosario, Pauline del Rosario, Mikhaela Fortuna, Clare Legaspi, Isa Lorenzo, Sam Martirez, Felicia Medalla, Gaby Monfort, Marvi Monsalve, Bernice Olivarez-Ilas, Jan Punzalan, Ann Sabater, Andie Unson, Daniella Uy and Chanel Avaricio, who is coming off a big win in San Diego.

The major sponsors of the championship are the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Coca-Cola, Duty Free Phils., Pacsports with support from the Depatment of Tourism while hole sponsors are Bailey’s, Mancare Health Systems Inc., Group Management & Development, Inc. by Gilberto Duavit, chairman and CEO, Holland Blooms, Impact Magazine, Berenger, the official wine of the PGA tour, Spectrum Graphics, Tres Palmas, Alexis Jewellers and Alabang, Forest Hills, Manila Golf, Orchard, Canlubang, Sta. Elena and Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapters.