Lascuña, Ardina get citation for golf feats

ANTONIO Lascuña lifts the championship trophy during the awarding ceremony with his daughter in tow. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/GILBERT MERCADO

Homegrown golfers Tony Lascuña and Dottie Ardina created a stir last year as they produced remarkable campaigns here and abroad.

With their achievements, Lascuña and Ardina emerged hands-down choices as recipients of the major awards for golf in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Milo Annual Awards Night at the grand ballroom of Manila Hotel on March 16.

The duo are the latest inclusions in the honor roll of the country’s oldest media organization, which will fete top Filipino athletes in the formal ceremony presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Harbour Centre, Rain or Shine, Philippine Basketball Association, Smart, LBC, Senator Chiz Escudero, and ICTSI at Philippine Golf Tour.

Joining the two golfers are basketball stars Mark Caguioa (pro) and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (amateur), Hagdang Bato (Horse of the Year) and Jonathan Hernandez (Jockey of the Year).

Reigning World Boxing Organization super-bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. shares the coveted PSA Athlete of the Year honor with three others in the Team Manila softball women’s team, lady boxer Josie Gabuco, and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The 42-year-old Lascuña emerged as the most decorated pro of 2012, as he completed a sweep of the Order Of Merit (OOM) and Players’ Player of the Year honors in the 15-stage ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour (PGT).

With P2.5 million in winnings, Lascuña topped the PGT ahead of 2009 champion Elmer Salvador. Lascuña also emerged as the top Filipino player in the Asian Tour at 12th. Cedelf P. Tupas