Ardina, Zaragosa keep leaders within sight

SAN Diego, California – Multi-titled Dottie Ardina, Rupert Zaragosa and four other Filipino kids in the lower division put themselves in solid contention after contrasting opening rounds in the 2010 Callaway Junior World golf championships in various venues here.

The 16-year-old Ardina, seeking to become the winningest Filipino campaigner with four titles, buried a 40-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole for a two-under 72 at Torrey Pines north that left the ICTSI scholar at the David Leadbetter Academy in second place, just three strokes behind Hawaii’s Marissa Chow in the girls 15-17 years division.

Canlubang standout Zaragosa, 12, birdied three of the last five holes of The Country Club at Rancho Bernardo for a three-under 69 and a share of second spot in the boys 11-12 years category. The son of a teaching pro was just a shot off the frontrunning Daniel Martinez of Texas.

Bernice Olivares, Missy Legaspi, Jed Dy and Arnie Taguines also boosted Philippine hopes of producing a champion here after a winless campaign last year.

Olivarez and Legaspi both carded 61s at Sycuan-Pine Glen to trail Malaysian Natasha Oon by one in the girls 7-8 years, Dy’s four-over 60 at Colina Park was four behind the leader, the same deficit Taguines was facing following a 60.

Philippine Airlines and ICTSI are the chief backers of Team Philippines whose campaign here is backed by Pancake House Group, Teriyaki Boy, Sizzilin Pepper, Dynamic Sports and Leisure Corp., McDonald’s, Smart, Golf Depot and Pioneer Insurance.

The frontliners of the RP campaign, Marcel Puyat and Miguel Tabuena, did well but their rounds were not enough to put them among the top 10 in the centerpiece 15-17 years division at Torrey Pines south.

Puyat, set to join Stanford U for a golf scholarship next year, was looking good until he bogeyed the last two holes for a 73 and a tie for 15th while Tabuena birdied the 18th for a 74 and a share of 23rd.

“I think I’m more prepared this year and I hope to get that fourth title,” said Ardina, the three-time champ who birdied Nos. 2, 5, 11, 12 but threw them away with her bogeys on the first, eighth and 10th holes.