Former PLO champs head ICTSI LPGT cast

MANILA, Philippines - Four former Philippine Ladies Open winners, led by three-time champion Mary Grace Estuesta, banner the elite cast chasing history in the first-ever ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, which unwraps Wednesday at the tough The Country Club layout in Laguna.

Although they are far from top form owing to long layoff and lack of competitive local tournaments, the former PLO champions are thrilled over the upcoming circuit, which will feature five 54-hole tournaments for its inaugural staging at the country’s championship courses.

“So thankful to the organizers for making it happen,” said Estuesta, who last competed on the Asian Ladies Tour nine years ago.

“We haven’t had a tournament for years and it’s been a long time since I last played competitively, so I don’t expect much,” said Estuesta, now the golf director at Sta. Elena.

Heidi Chua, who dominated the field to capture the Phl Ladies Open crown at Manila Golf Club in 2002, also expressed her excitement over playing competitive golf again and vowed to be in top shape right in the kickoff leg of the P2.5 million circuit sponsored by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

“I am very excited to compete (in the LPGT). Glad that Mr. Ricky (Razon) pioneers such an event for women golfers,” said Chua, also an Asian Games and SEA Games bronze medalist. “Other countries have tremendously upgraded their women’s golf by having a pro tour. Good to know that the Philippines will finally start one.”

Like Estuesta, Chua also campaigned on the Asian Ladies Tour although she has concentrated on teaching young golfers through her Fungolf program at Wack Wack the last few years.

“Golf nowadays is more like a hobby. I had no tournament the last two years although I competed in the Japan Yumeya Cup last month,” said Chua. “Now that we have the ICTSI LPGA, I will definitely be back on a competitive mode.”

Carmelette Villaroman, the Phl Ladies Open champion in 1995 and coach of the ICTSI ladies amateur team, and 2005 winner Jayvie Agojo are also in the fold, both upbeat of their chances in the P500,000 event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“We’re all excited. Now we don’t have to go abroad to compete,” said Villaroman and Agojo.

Joining them are former top amateurs Dottie Ardina, Sarah Ababa, Red Bareng and Lovelynn Guioguio, Anya Tanpinco, Sylvia Torres, Eva Miñoza, Lucy Landicho, Lina de Guzman, Marjorie Pulumbarit, Jan Punzalan and Tracy Que, wife of three-time Asian Tour champion Angelo Que.

Sisters Nikki and Sam Bruce, who topped the recent ICTSI LPGT Qualifier at Cangolf’s South course, lead the amateur cast in the event, along with ICTSI team mainstays Princess Superal, Pauline del Rosario and Sofia Chabon.