RP kids among top favorites in Callaway jungolf

Three former division champions — Wolen Superal, JR Gonzales and Dottie Ardina — will banner the Philippine campaign in the 2006 Callaway Junior World Golf Championships starting Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in nine courses around San Diego, California.

Ardina should rank as the one of the solid favorites in the girls 11-12 years division after giving a good run at the title last year. She placed tied for fifth, her bid for a better finish stymied by a double bogey-double bogey windup.

Ardina owns one of the best track records among local campaigners in the Junior World. She won the 8 and under crown in 2002, placed fourth in her first crack at the 9-10 years bracket the next year and then barely missed a second title in 2003 when she lost by one to a American Alison Lee.

Superal, last year’s runaway winner in the boys 11-12 years division, is playing in a new age-group, the 13-14 class while Gonzales, the boys 7-8 years division champion in 2004, is seeing action in the boys 9-10 years.

"We have quite a strong lineup and we’re well represented in all six age brackets," said Jungolf Foundation of the Philippines president Bang Mamaril.

Carrying the Philippine tri-colors in the four-day tourney are 43 boys and girls who survived an elimination series conducted by the Jungolf Foundation with the support of Philippine Airlines, Samsung, Pagcor and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

There are more a thousand jungolfers representing about 70 countries about to vie for the 12 champions trophies.

The RP kids will be joining the parade of nations on Sunday morning (Monday in Manila) where a putting competition is also scheduled.

The official practice round scheduled on Monday.

Among the top bets is reigning Philippine Ladies Open champ Debbie de Villa who will play in the girls 15-17 years after posting a fifth place finish last year.

The official Philippine delegation:

Class A (15-17 years): Miko Yee, Jikjik Abdon, Tonton Asistio, Miko Alejandro, Carlos Fabregas, Gino Bunyi, Debbie de Villa, Crystal Superal, Bambee dela Paz

Class B (13-14 years): Wolen Superal, Marcel Puyat, Carlos Tinio, Juan Miguel Arevalo, Luis Rafaelle Sumabat, Cyna Rodriguez, Mia Piccio, Paulina Sotto, Kristine Leonen

Class C (11-12 years): Miguel Tabuena, LJ Go, Vijay Vasandani, Don Martin Fernandez, Andie Unson, Dottie Ardina, Marvi Monsalve, Angela De Villa,

Class D (9-10 years): Raymund Gonzales, AR Ramos, Miggy Yee, Juily Vasandani, Princess Superal, Felicia Medalla

Class E (7- 8 years): Justin Dy, Ruperto Zaragosa, Raymart Tolentino, Rachita Vasandani, Mia Legaspi, Abby Arevalo, LK Go

Class F (6-under): Shailesh Vasandani, Ryan Monsalve, Mikael Robles, Chloe Reyes.