Ladies Open golden year draws int'l, local stars

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Ladies Open marks its golden year next year with a star-studded roster, led by the country’s leading players and a host of international stars, expected to clash for top honors at the tough Wack Wack East course.

Chihiro Ikeda tries to become the first back-to-back winner of the country’s premier ladies championship sponsored by Champion Infinity since Heidi Chua ruled in 2002-03 and the ninth to reign for consecutive years, including Jennifer Rosales’ record five-year run from 1994, as she heads the field in the grand staging of the event on Jan. 11-13, 2012.

Routs have marked the last two editions of the event organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. (WGAP) with US-based Cyna Rodriguez romping off with a seven-stroke win at Manila Southwoods in 2010 and Ikeda cruising to a six-shot victory at The Country Club last year.

But with the tough WW East layout providing a different kind of challenge and the field to be beefed up by a horde of foreign stars, a down-to-the-wire finish is expected in the 54-hole championship backed by Duty Free Phils., Philippine Sports Commission and Inquirer as sponsors.

Registration is ongoing with fee pegged at P7,000 or $170. Deadline is set on Dec. 30. For listup, log on to www.wgap-golf.com, or [email protected] or text or call 0908-881-0366 or (632) 846-0973 (fax).

Ikeda’s teammates in the ICTSI golf squad are expected to join her in the title hunt, including reigning Queen Sirikit Cup champion Dottie Lovelynn Guioguio, national team mainstay and China Amateur Open winner Andie Unson and New Zealand Under-19 champion Sarah Ababa.

Meanwhile, the traditional cocktail will be held on Jan. 10 at the WW clubhouse after the 4 p.m. ceremonial tee off to be graced by WGAP officials and guests.

Clubs all over the country will also be fielding their best bets in the Open, which will also feature the Class A and Class B events after the classification on the second day.

Playing are entries from Canlubang, Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Southwoods, Valley Golf, Orchard, Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands, Alta Vista, Forest Hills, Pueblo de Oro, Cangolf, Del Monte, Philippine Navy and Manila Southwoods.

The other backers of the event are EEI, Nescafe, RCBC, De Capriccio Jewellers, Tres Palmas, Alabang Ladies Chapter, Canlubang Ladies Chapter, Forest Hills Ladies Chapter, Manila Golf Ladies Chapter, Sta. Elena Ladies Chapter and Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter as hole sponsors.