With the local knowledge virtually the least of their concerns, the touring ladies girds for a duel of skills, smarts and putting when the ICTSI Hallow Ridge Challenge is fired off tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Filipinas Golf Hallow Ridge in San Pedro, Laguna.
Emphasis will also be on stamina in anticipation of another grueling campaign in arid conditions the way the field endured the debilitating heat at Luisita in Tarlac two weeks ago where they adjusted their nutritional intake in order of keep themselves performing at a high level.
Still, it will boil down to who survives the test at the rolling par-72 layout which is hosting a ladies pro tournament for the first time with no one from the among the fancied bets, headed by Princess Superal, Harmie Constantino, Daniella Uy, Sunshine Baraquiel and Chanelle Avaricio, holding a distinct advantage.
Meanwhile, Arnie Taguines, Eagle Ace Superal and Kristine Fleetwood join the pros in the hunt in the 54-hole championship serving as the second leg of this year’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, all hoping to keep the amateurs’ win run going after Rianne Malixi ruled the last leg at Midlands last year and the year’s kickoff event at Luisita last month.
The 15-year-old Malixi has shifted her campaign to the American Junior Golf Association circuit as part of her buildup for the SEA Games in Hanoi next month. The rising star also topped the national team qualifying, also at Luisita, and will help lead the country’s title-retention drive with Lois Kaye Go and Mafy Singson.
That leaves the multi-titled Superal and the other leg winners to dispute top honors in the P750,000 championship but the likes of Chihiro Ikeda is also due for a big finish after a string of failed bids in circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Out to spoil the favorites’ title drive in the event are Sarah Ababa, Florence Bisera, Apple Fudolin, Lovelyn Guioguio, Lucy Landicho, Pamela Mariano, Eva Miñoza, Majorie Pulumbarit, Gretchen Villacencio, Sheryl Villasencio and Korean Jane Jeong.
Though some bidders have tested the hilly layout in the lead-up to the tournament, they remained wary and at the same time excited over how would they fare in the next three days and get a crack at the championship.
Constantino, who claimed two titles in her rookie season last year, both at Eagle Ridge’s Aoki course, found the course long and tight while Avaricio, who posted her first win at Rivera-Couples last year, said the course is very different from the other LPGT venues while putting premium on the long game and accuracy for one to produce good scores.
Superal, on the other hand, is focusing on putting, noting the Hallow Ridge’s surfaces to be undulating while Uy underlines the need to come up with smart decisions from tee-to-green.