Ikeda FALTERS IN THE WIND: Gutsy Dottie wrests 2-pt edge

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina came out better than erstwhile leader Chihiro Ikeda and the rest of the field in a punishing day at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club, churning out a gutsy 51-point output to wrest a two-point lead after two rounds of the Southern Ladies golf tournament in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo yesterday.

Ardina, who trailed Ikeda by three in the first round with 52 points, mixed three birdies with four bogeys and a double-bogey then watched Ikeda and the rest waver at the wind-raked layout with narrow fairways and unpredictable putting surface.

She had 39-36 for a three-over 75 in stroke play worth 51 points under the Molave scoring system, giving her a 103 aggregate for a two-point lead over Ikeda and ICTSI teammate Anya Tanpinco heading into the last 18 holes of the tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Ikeda, impressive with 55 points or one-under 71 Thursday, also had three birdies but the SEA Games gold medalist struggled on the putting surface with two three-putts and one four-putt and limped home with 46 points or eight-over 80.

She had five bogeys and three double-bogeys in her worst output in a long, long while, dropping to second with 101 points in the Championship Division of the tournament sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, WWWExpress-DHL Worldwide Express, Hans Brumann Jeweler, DPC Yellow Pages, Karat World and Sarabia Manor Hotel.

That was the same output put in by Tanpinco, a former champion here, who scored 49 points in a birdie-less round marred by five bogeys while Daniella Uy also turned in 49 points for fourth with a 96.

Ardina also powered ICTSI II to the team championship with a 231 total after a 118 for a whopping 28-point victory over ICTSI I and Iloilo III. Other members of the squad are Tanpinco, Uy and Villacencio.

ICTSI I made 95 points for a 203 as it finished tied for second with the host club, which had a 96.

Meanwhile, Mabek Kawsek of Tagaytay Highlands scored a hole-in-one on No. 16 during the Lam-Am tournament last Wednesday.

Sheryl Villacencio stood in fifth with 95 points after a 49 followed by Andie Unson (47-92), Sun Choi (42-90), Cangolf’s Lucy Landicho (46-90), Lovelyn Guioguio of Del Monte (43-89) and ICTSI’s Sarah Ababa (46-87).

Meanwhile, Villamor’s Sol Antonio captured the seniors division crown as she made 31 Stableford points for a two-day total of 70. She beat Mencie Millonado of Aguinaldo who had 66 points after a 29 and Leni Cabili who scored 33 points for a 64.

In Class A, Gie Bote of Tagaytay Highlands fired 30 points for a 66 as she took a two-point lead over Millonado who had 28 for a 64. Iloilo’s Choi Me Ae stood in third with 61 after a 31 heading into the last 18 holes of the three-day tournament.

Other division leaders were Hwang Hye Young of Iloilo (Class B-57), Rowena Royena of Malarayat (Class C-50) and Surlianti Walker of Malarayat (Class D-50).