JAKARTA - The Filipino golfers had two practice rounds at the Jagorawi Golf Club course in West Java over the weekend and they liked what they saw, believing they can contend for the championship in the 72-hole event which starts today.
“The course is in perfect international competition shape. The entire field likes that because it takes away course familiarity, giving the hosts no advantage at all,” said Phl team official Tommy Manotoc.
He said that Rupert Zaragosa, Jobim Carlos, Clyde Mondilla and Art Arbole are highly motivated to play well in a bid to improve on the team’s third-place finish in Laos in 2009.
The Philippines, then starring Jhonnel Ababa and Mhark Fernando, were tied for the lead with Thailand and eventual champion Singapore going into the final three holes but faltered and settled for bronze medal.
The Phl ladies, on the other hand, swept the team and individual championships then with Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda and Ma. Andrea Unson fancied to duplicate that feat here.
The 54-hole ladies competition fires off tomorrow.
In men’s opening round, Zaragoza, the reigning national men’s and boys’ champion, is paired with Laos’ Manibanseng Vasin and Vietnam’s Dang Hong Anh in the third flight.
Mondilla is in the fifth flight with Laos’ Luangkhamdeng Axay and Myanmar’s Maung Maung Oo; Carlos in the next pairing with Indon Rinaldo Adiyandono and Sinagporean Marc Ong Chong Chi; and Arbole in the second flight in the back nine with Indon Suprapto and Sinagporean Gregorory Raymund Fo.
Zaragoza, Mondilla, Carlos and Arbole are all SEAG rookies but are veteran of other international events.
Though pointing to the Singaporeans and the Thais as the top picks, Manotoc didn’t rule out a victory by a Filipino even in the individual event.
Manotoc said the Phl men could have got a stronger lineup had Marcel Puyat been allowed by Stanford U to compete in the games.
Minus the Stanford U golf scholar, Manotoc, however, insisted the Philippines has a chance at a podium finish, considering how the organizers prepared the layout.
“It’s like the US Open with its long, narrow fairways and high, thick roughs,” said Manotoc.
“It defeats the local advantage. The one that will win is the one that hits the ball well. Walang tsamba (No fluke),” Manotoc added.