Filipino golfers open drive for medals

DOHA — They ruled the world in junior golf, knocked down the opposition in the Indonesian and Hong Kong Opens but got clobbered in return in the World Amateurs. Now, Dottie Ardina and Cyna Rodriguez want to regain some lost ground not only for personal glory but for the flag as well as they spearhead the Philippines bid in the Asian Games golf competitions beginning Friday here.

"They’re doing okay. They feel good and full of confidence," said national team coach Bong Lopez on the eve of the event where the Filipinos look forward to contend for medal honors against 17 other teams in the men’s and seven others in the women’s side.

The course yardage, which measures 5,751 yards for the women’s competition, could also be to RP girls’ liking.

"We have a good chance in the ladies side since the course is short and there are only eight teams competing. But regardless of the field, they need to dish out their best here," said Lopez, also the man at helm of the golf program put up by ICTS.

How Ardina, Rodriguez and Anya Tanpinco, the other member of the team, would fare will be known this early as they are paired against title contenders China, Japan and Taiwan in the first round of action.

"I think our toughest challenge will come from Japan, Korea and Taiwan," said the diminutive Ardina. "But I think the course is a little bit short and I have a good short game."

"The girls are used to playing on longer courses, but who’s going to complain if it’s too short?" said Chris Guerrero, also a member of the national coaching staff. "The Japanese and Koreans are long hitters so they don’t like it. But since the course is short, the competition should be more interesting."

The men’s team of Marvin Dumandan, Jay Bayron, Michael Bibat and Gene Bondoc drew Taiwan, Japan and Pakistan as their playing partners in the first two days.

"It’s a good draw, at least we will know the strength of the teams early," said fellow coach Nestor Mendoza. Tee off time for the men’s is 7 a.m. (12 noon in Manila) while the women’s competition will start at 8:40 a.m. (1:40 p.m.).

Ardina, who turned 13 last week, and Rodriguez, 15, topped their age group divisions in the recent Junior World in San Diego with the former following up her romp with a victory in the Indonesia and Hong Kong Opens with the latter placing second in both events.

But they got wiped out in the World Amateurs in South Africa last October, finishing 30th and the duo, along with Tanpinco, also veteran of the World Amateurs, wants to redeem themselves from that poor finish with a strong performance here.