Fiery Ardina goes 2 for 2

Dottie Ardina remained perfect in two starts as a pro, closing out with a second straight six-under-par 66 yesterday for an eight-shot win over Chihiro Ikeda in the ICTSI Ladies Golf Tour at Cangolf’s tree-lined North layout in Laguna.

Ardina fired two birdies against a missed-green bogey on the front nine before turning the last nine holes of the formidable layout upside down with five more birdies for a 31 to finish with a 54-hole 205 tally. She bagged the P100,000 champion’s purse.

“I’m happy to beat the course for the second straight day,” said Ardina, who grew up in a nearby village. “I just stayed focused.”

Ikeda, the Japanese tour regular seeing action in this circuit for the first time, returned a 69. She started the day five shots off the lead.

Princess Superal, the new spearhead of the ICTSI amateur team with Ardina’s jump to the pros, also fired a 69 and finished at level 216 with Anya Tanpinco shooting a 71 for 219.

Jayvee Agojo finished 18 strokes off Ardina after a 76 for 223 in the event bankrolled by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. and backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports, Gatorade, Sharp and Custom Clubmakers.

This victory was vastly different from Ardina’s first when she rallied with a closing 65 at windswept The Country Club to nip Superal. Yesterday, Ikeda was in awe of Ardina’s game.

“She was so good today, she could make the putt from any distance,” said Ikeda, the country’s No. 1 amateur with Ardina as the chief backup during their days with the PH team.

Lovelynn Guioguio, who led the first round with a 70, closed out with a 77 for 225, tied with the veteran Lucy Landicho (72).

Sofia Chabon, the young amateur, turned in a 74 for 227, with Apple Fudolin winding up in ninth spot at 230 and amateur Bernice Olivarez-Ilas sharing 10th spot with Sarah Ababa, Pauline Del Rosario and Harmie Constantino another stroke back.  Musong R. Castillo

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TAGS: Dottie Ardina, ICTSI Ladies Golf Tour