Agojo, Bondad out of RP Open

The Philippine Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship gets underway beginning Jan. 11 with a talent-laden local and foreign field but without the champions of the last two editions of the annual event at the Manila Golf Club course inside the posh Forbes Park.

Reigning titlist Jayvie Agojo, the Pepperdine University scholar who won a silver medal in the SEA Games, and Fil-Aussie Frances Bondad, winner in 2004, have begged off due to academic pressure especially since they’ve lost a lot of school time for their SEAG campaign.

Agojo, who spent the holidays here with her family, leaves for the US on Jan. 8 with her classes to start on Jan. 9.

But the organizing WGAP (Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines) has assembled a solid cast headed by local bets Carmelette Villaroman, a former champion, Lora Roberto, Crystal Superal, Lucy Landicho, Paulina Sotto and the De Villa sisters, Debbie and Linnel.

Spearheading the foreign challenge is Sri Lankan Thuhachinii Selvaratnam who is coming back for the first time since ruling the event in 2000. The 28-year-old Selvaratnam, a native of Colombo who won by eight strokes on her first try, banners a big roster of 28 foreign entries from seven countries due for the 44th staging of the three-day championship.

Looming as a possible threat to Selvaratnam and the rest of the field is Cristina Corpus, a Fil-American jungolfer from San Leandro, California.

Nancy Ortiga, president of WGAP, said that despite the absence of Agojo and Bondad, she still expects an exciting battle for the crown. She also bared that they are changing the classification of players from the first round to the second.

The event is backed by the First Gentleman Foundation, Philipppine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Sports Commission, Banco de Oro Private Banking, Pacific Online, Gilberto M. Duavit, Golden Donuts, Electrobus, Keystone Lamps, Crucible Gallery, All Transport Network, Carlos Palanca and Hyatt Hotels.

For details, contact the Manila Golf Club ladies locker room or 0917-5295324.