Thai aces vie in Phl Ladies Open

MANILA, Philippines - SEA Games silver medalist Pinrath Loomboonruang will spearhead a crack Thailand squad competing against the cream of the country’s crop and a slew of other foreign entries in the 50th Philippine Ladies Open slated Jan. 11-13 at Wack Wack’s East Course.

Loomboonruang, also the gold medal winner in this year’s Santi Cup, the ladies side of the Southeast Asia Amateur Golf Team Championship, will try to become only the third Thai player to win the country’s premier ladies championship after Rika Dila in 1984 and Yupaporn Kawinpakorn in 2007.

She will be joined in the title hunt in the event sponsored by Champion Infinity by top jungolfers Savitree Thavong and Pathamaporn Ariyamatepreecha along with Suthavee Chanachai, Jittakarn Chandraviroj, Pornvipa Sakdee, Supamas Sangchan, Arporn Maneerux, Busara Tanphhipat, Molrudee Mahattanakul, Sasitorn Chokwatana and Sida Raksangob.

Meanwhile, registration is ongoing, according to the organizing Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. with fee pegged at P7,000 or $170. Deadline is set on Dec. 30. For listup, log on to www.wgap-golf.com, or email [email protected] or text or call 0908-881-0366 or (632) 846-0973 (fax).

The golden staging of the event, backed by Duty Free Phils., Philippine Sports Commission and Inquirer as gold sponsors, has also lured entries from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the US with more expected to register within the week.

Clubs all over the country will also be fielding their best bets in the Open, which will also feature the Class A and Class B events after the classification on the second day.

Playing are entries from Canlubang, Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Southwoods, Valley Golf, Orchard, AFP Golf Club (formerly Aguinaldo GC), Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands, Alta Vista, ForestHills, Pueblo de Oro, Cangolf, Del Monte, Navy and Southwoods.

The other backers of the event are EEI, Nescafe, RCBC, De Capriccio Jewellers, Tres Palmas, Alabang Ladies Chapter, Canlubang Ladies Chapter, Forest Hills Ladies Chapter, Manila Golf Ladies Chapter, Sta. Elena Ladies Chapter and Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter as hole sponsors.

Chihiro Ikeda sets out as one of the favorites in the 54-hole championship as the top ICTSI-backed bet goes for a repeat of her six-shot victory at The Country Club last year.

The reigning Thailand Ladies Open champion, who also won the Johor Am and the Royal Selangor Open, will try to become the first back-to-back winner of the event since Heidi Chua ruled in 2002-03 and the ninth to reign for consecutive years, including Jennifer Rosales’ record five-year run from 1994.

Meanwhile, the traditional cocktail will be held on Jan. 10 at WW clubhouse after the 4 p.m. ceremonial tee off to be graced by WGAP officials and guests.