Jungolfers boost Phl Ladies Open cast

MANILA, Philippines - A slew of talented jungolfers sets out for the big one as they join the title chase in the 2014 Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open which begins tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 8) at the wind-raked Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo, Rizal.

Daniella Uy, 17, Harmie Constantino, 12, and Channel Avaricio, 16, all playing out of Villamor Golf Club, are raring to showcase their talent and skills as they slug it out with the likes of defending champion Supamas Sangchan of Thailand and a host of others for the coveted crown in the 54-hole championship presented by Champion Infinity.

Eastridge Golf Club’s Anne Sabater, 19, and Jonah Ilagan, 18, both golf scholars in the US, are also in the fold as part of the crack 86-player international field that includes 15 Singaporeans, seven Malaysians, five South Koreans, four Thais, two Japanese and one Fil-Austrian in Ester Beatriz Fasol of the International Golfers Club.

Still, focus will be on the fancied bets, headed by Supamas, who outlasted Dottie Ardina in a marathon six-hole playoff at Mt. Malarayat in Batangas to snatch the crown in the country’s premier amateur ladies championship.

But out to foil her bid is compatriot Sherman Santiwiwattanaphong, who is coming off a big victory in the Thailand Ladies Open, a pro tournament, along with fellow Thais Sukapan Budsabakorn and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras.

Heading the local challenge in the event organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines are reigning SEA Games gold medalist Princess Superal of the ICTSI-The Country Club, Orchard’s siblings Sam and Nikki Bruce, Southwoods’ Angela de Villa, Claire Legaspi and Sofia Legaspi, Alta Vista’s Louise Gabasa, Cebu Country Club’s Lois Kaye Go, Wack Wack’s Felicia Medalla, Camp Aguinaldo’s Bianca Pagdanganan.

Others seeing action in the event backed by Meralco as minor sponsor, and hole-in-one sponsors TIB and Forest Hills, are TCC’s Abegail Arevalo, Sofia Chabon, Pauline del Rosario, Mikhaela Fortuna, Sam Green, Sam Martinez and Bernice Olivarez-Ilas.

Michelle Koh Lay Sia, Diane Luke and Nur Durriyah Bintin Damian banner the Malaysian side while Sock Hwee Koh and Amelia Wei Ping Yong headline the Singapore squad in the event backed by hole sponsors Jungolf, Holland Blooms, Duty Free, Nike Golf, Alabang Ladies, Orchard Ladies, Manila Golf Ladies, Canluabng Ladies, Tagaytay Ladies and Forest Hills Ladies Cirle, Other supporters are Dept. of Tourism, Spectrum Graphics and Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Universal Robina Corp. and C2 and media partners Impact Magazine and Inquirer.