Reigning national champ to boost golf title defense

The National Golf Association of the Phils. (NGAP) yesterday named reigning national champion Anthony Fernando to the national team competing in next week’s SEA Games in Thailand, replacing Jay Bayron who has decided to turn pro.

Fernando, who failed to see action with the RP team in the Putra Cup after he was suspended by the NGAP for allegedly making product endorsement in a golf magazine, was cleared of any violation of the amateur rules, thus paving the way for his inclusion in the national squad.

The 24-year-old Fernando, who bested the cream of the crop to capture the country’s premier amateur championship in Iloilo last September, will thus join fellow ICTSI teammate Ferdie Aunzo, Mark Fernando and Jhonnel Ababa in the RP team out to defend its crown in the SEAG.

The Philippines romped away with the team and individual crowns (Juvic Pagunsan) in the 2005 Manila SEA Games but will be hard-pressed to score a repeat with Thailand raring to reign in its turf.

To underscore their readiness for the SEAG, the Thais topped the Putra Cup at The Country Club last week, thwarting the Filipinos’ final round charge.

Bayron, 27, will try his luck on the Asian Tour qualifier slated in the same week of the SEA Games.

Meanwhile, Asian Games veteran Anya Tanpinco and Chihiro Ikeda will spearhead the ladies squad that includes Regina de Guzman after Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo begged off due to their studies in the US.

Ardina is on a golf scholarship from ICTSI at the Pendleton Academy while Agojo, a sophomore scholar at Pepperdine U, will have her final exams in the same week of the SEAG.