Dottie Ardina seeks first Philippine Ladies Open crown

MANILA, Philippines—Dottie Ardina shoots for the only missing jewel in her trophy collection again when the Philippine Ladies Open fires off Jan. 11 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s East Course.

The many-time Junior World champion had a promising start last year before losing steam in the last two rounds to lose by six strokes to two-time champion Chihiro Ikeda at The Country Club in Cabuyao, Laguna.

The 17-year-old spearhead of the ICTSI golf squad vowed to perform better this time and score a breakthrough win in the golden anniversary of the country’s premier ladies golf championship sponsored by Champion Infinity.

“I’ve prepared hard for this and I’m in tip-top condition,” said Ardina. “But it will be tough since there are a lot of good players.”

The reigning Queen Sirikit Cup champion will be facing a horde of challengers in the 54-hole event organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines, including ICTSI teammates Andie Unson, Sarah Ababa, Sunshine Baraquiel, Lovelynn Guioguio and former champions Jayvie Agojo and Cyna Rodriguez.

The event also drew a slew of foreign players, including Southeast Games silver medalist Pinrath Loomboonruang, who will lead a talent-laden Thailand squad.

Pinrath, who nipped Ardina for the individual gold medal in last year’s Santi Cup, the ladies’ side of the SEA Amateur Golf Team Championship, is seeking to become the third Thai player to win the country’s premier ladies championship after Rika Dila in 1984 and Yupaporn Kawinpakorn in 2007.

She will be joined in the title hunt by, among others, top jungolfers Savitree Thavong and Pathamaporn Ariyamatepreecha, Suthavee Chanachai, Jittakarn Chandraviroj and Pornvipa Sakdee.