RP scores triple kill in US jungolf

The Philippines emerged as the best-performing foreign delegation in the Desert Junior Classic after Terence Macatangay, while Wolen Juan Superal and Miguel Tabuena ruled their respective divisions in contrasting fashion in Palm Springs, California.

Tabuena scored the most impressive of three victories when he held off the late charge of Thai rival Meechi Padungsiriseth in the homestretch with a one-over-par 37 to prevail by six strokes in the boys 8-9 years division at the Landmark Golf Club. Tabuena totalled 110 against the 116 of Meechi, who also had a 37 in the final round.

Macatangay and Superal did it the hard way to complete the triple-kill, the first time ever a jungolf contingent won more than two titles in an international competition.

Macatangay nipped Alex Grieb of California on the third extra hole of a sudden-death playoff for the boys 14-15 years crown at the Mission Hills Country Club course. Macatangay’s solid showing in the playoff made up for a disastrous closing round of 81 which allowed Grieb, carding a 74, to tie him at 228.

Superal finally won one after letting what could have been a big victory in the Junior World last week in San Diego slip away, outduelling two-day leader Bradley Shigezawa of Honolulu, Hawaii in the last 18 holes to win by three in the boys 10-11 years.

Superal reserved his best for the last round, shooting a two-under 70-217 against the 74-220 of Shigezawa.

Mia Piccio (77-225) and Debbie de Villa (77-227) placed second and third in the girls 11-12 years behind eventual winner Kimberly Kim of Hawaii in the girls 11-12 years while Dottie Ardina (girls 10-under) and John Kier Abdon (boys 12-13) wound up fourth in their respective divisions to complete the overpowering performance of the 19-strong RP contingent.

"When a victory could have been good enough, winning three definitely exceeded our expectations. The kids probably just wanted to win badly after getting so close to it in the Junior World last week," said Gerry Handog, president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

Handog said the support of Philippine Airlines, Philippine Sports Commission, Samsung, Airlift Asia, Global Lighting, Manila Southwoods and MCCI paved the way for the success of the contingent, which continues its US campaign in the Optimist International in Florida and the US Kids World Championship in Virginia in the next two weeks.

As Andrea Legaspi collapsed with a 44 for 120, Ardina made it to fourth behind Danielle Frasier (110), Suwannapura of Thailand (112) and Okiro Cyd (116).