Ardina, Buen trigger RP jungolfers charge

SAN DIEGO — Team Philippines got off to a roaring start in the 2004 Callaway Junior World golf championships in various venues with Dottie Ardina and Janella Buen jumping ahead in their respective divisions and at least five others putting themselves in strong contention here.

Ardina, winner of the eight years and under class here two years ago, turned in the only sub-par round of 56 spiked by three straight birdies from the sixth and opened up a three-stroke lead over American Allison Lee in the girls 9-10 years division.

Two RP kids, Buen and Arevalo were running 1-2 in the girls side of the newly-introduced 6 years and under division, boosting the Filipinos’ bid for a win they failed to achieve last year. The five-year-old Buen scored a 67 to move up by five over Arevalo who finished the day tied for second with Alison Corpuz of Hawaii.

The RP presence was also felt in the other divisions as Justin Dy scored a 62 to share third place in the boys 6-under while Tonton Arevalo and JR Gonzales submitted identical 59s to stay just a shot off the two leaders in boys 9-10.

In girls play at Singing Hills, Crystal Superal was running seventh but only three down in the 13-14 years class after a 74 marred by a bogey-bogey finish. Her younger sister Princess, scoring a 64, finished the day four behind in sixth spot in the 7-8 years.

"We can’t ask for a better start, the kids are just giving it their best. We’re hoping that we can sustain this strong performance all the way," said Gerry Handog, head of the team backed by Philippine Airlines, Samsung, Smart Kid, Callaway and Manila Southwoods.

At Torrey Pines, Jayvie Agojo had a strong start but reeled back on a flurry of bogeys down the stretch. Agojo’s two-over 76 at the south course put her among those sharing 24th spot in girls Class A.

The two boys Class A bets playing the north layout also struggled with Justin Tambunting (tied for 34th) and Tonlits Asistio (tied for 73rd) far behind after a 75 and 78, respectively.

Ardina appeared ready to claim a second world title with her consistent play at the Reidy Creek course which is ranked among the toughest executive courses in the US. She went four under after nailing her fourth birdie on the 10th and had to survive three bogeys on the 11th, 13th and 17th coming home to stay on top.

Miguel Tabuena fell behind by eight shots in the same 9-10 years class after being struck by a bad stretch where he picked up a succession of three bogeys and then a double bogey.

Another top RP bet, Wolen Superal managed a 65 despite nursing a fever. He was in 15th spot six shots behind Austin Coody of Texas.

Thailand matched the big start of the Philippines by claiming the lead in the boys 15-17 years (Chinarrat Padungsil) and 13-14 years (Anujit Hirunatanakorn).