Filipino golfers nine strokes adrift

JAKARTA – Art Arbole and Jobim Carlos wavered in the closing holes and the Filipino golfers slid to fourth place, nine shots off leader Indonesia at the start of the 26th SEA Games golf competitions at the Jagorawi Golf Club course in Cimanggis, West Java here yesterday.

Arbole, teeing off at the back nine, suffered a woeful nine-stroke mishap on the par-5 No. 8 while Carlos dropped two shots from No. 16 in a sorry finish that dragged the team down to fourth at nine-under 223.

The Phl ladies, meanwhile, open their title retention bid in both the team and individual play today with ICTSI team mainstays Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda and Andie Unson making up the fancied squad out to duplicate their golden double in Laos in 2009.

Reigning Phl men’s and boys’ champion Rupert Zaragosa was steady, carding an even-par 72 for a share of fourth place with Indons Rinaldi Adiyandono and Ian Andrew, two off the pace in the individual event.

Still, Phl coach Carito Villaroman said they’re comfortable where they were.

“You don’t win the gold in the first round. There are three rounds to go,” said Villaroman.

“We would have been second and right in there. But that’s golf. At least we’re still in the running for a medal and we still have a shot at it if we just play it smart,” said delegation chief Tommy Manotoc.

The Jagorawi course, with its long, narrow fairways, proved to be really daunting that only three players were able to break par in the first round of the SEAG competition.

George G. carded a two-under 70 to share the individual lead with Malaysian Low Khai Jei and Thai Natipon Srithang and help the Indons seize the lead in the team championship with a 214.

The home bets all showcased a solid round to set a six-stroke lead over the Thais, who assembled a 220 on Srithong’s 70 and D. Chanachok’s and Rattanon Wannasric 75s.

The Malaysians were at 222, followed by the Filipinos who should have been close behind the Indons if not for Arbole’s and Carlos’ shaky windup.

Carlos and Arbole settled with a 74 and a 77, respectively, as Team Philippines’ other scorers beside Zaragoza. Clyde Mondilla didn’t count with an 82.

They remained hopeful of their chances to contend for a medal, though.

“Hopefully, we can get it all together in the next round,” said Villaroman.