Pinay golfers take crack at Espirito Santo trophy

Chihiro Ikeda

The Philippines is hoping to improve on its decent finish last year when it starts its bid anew for the Espiritu Santo Trophy, a biennial tournament for lady amateurs in the world, which tees off at the Olivos Golf Club and Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina on Thursday.

Chihiro Ikeda, Dottie Ardina, and Mia Piccio will carry the fight for the RP squad, which will slug it out against 50 other nations, including SEA Games rivals Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, in the distaff side of the World Amateur Golf Championship.

The Filipinas—Ikeda, Anya Tanpinco and Louise Manalo—placed 19th in Australia in the three-to-play, two-to-count format, better than Thailand (21st), Malaysia (37th) and Singapore (42nd).

This time, however, national coach Bong Lopez said RP’s chances for a top 10 finish looks good with the squad emerging as one of the earliest teams to arrive in this second largest South American country.

“We came in early to check out the two courses characterized by thick roughs, tight dog-legs and fast greens. The roughs are thick so it is imperative for the girls to hit it straight," Lopez said.

Lopez also said: “Emphasis will also be on the iron play and putting since the greens are so fast you have to put your approach shots on the right slopes."

Ikeda, the reigning SEA Games individual champion, and the US-based Ardina and Piccio, had the luxury of familiarizing themselves with the two layouts for four days although the troika found both courses tough, especially if the wind come into play.

The RP ladies tee off at the Olivos layout beginning 10:40 a.m. South Africa and Latvia follow at 11:50 a.m. at the Buenos Aires layout. - RCJ, Adrian Flores GMANews.TV