Jungolfers get going in San Diego

SAN Diego, California – Reigning boys 11-12 champion Rupert Zaragosa and three-time winner Dottie Ardina banner the country’s campaign in the Callaway Junior World Championships firing off Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in various courses here.

Zaragosa, riding a string of successes including the recent Philippine amateur closed match play winner at Wack Wack, plays in a new division, the 13-14 years age-group, at the Riverwalk Golf Club as one of the top prospects of a 44-strong delegation sent here by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

Ardina, coming off a close victory in the San Diego Junior Masters last week, makes her farewell appearance in the Junior World where she had left a big footprint with victories in the 8 and under class, the 9-10 category and the 13-14 years level.

“I think the kids are ready, most of them have come early to prepare and we expected another strong showing by the team,” said Jungolf president Luigi Tabuena, here to supervise the participation of Team Phl in an annual gathering of the best junior players of the world.

Philippine Airlines is the main backer of the delegation having provided free round-trip tickets to the 12 division winner of the local qualifying held last May.

The Class A cast is quite strong with Ardina being joined by fellow ICTSI players Andie Unson and Sarah Ababa in the girls side at Torrey Pines North. Also in the boys group tipped for a tough outing at Torrey Pines south are Andres Saldana and former Philippine amateur winner Clyde Mondilla.

Princess Superal, like Ardina a division winner last week at the San Diego Junior Masters, is among the favorites in the girls Class B (13-14). Other players to watch are Claire Legaspi in girls Class C (11-12), Harmie Constantino and Bernice Olivarez-Ilas in girls Class D (9-10).

Strong bets among the boys are Josh Jorge, Miggy Yee, Jed Dy, Kristoffer Arevalo, Ira Alido and Philippe Winsett Palanca, who scored a hole-in-one during the official practice round Monday on the third hole of the Welk Golf Club.