Friday, January 25, 2008 Garcia: Chihiro Ikeda wins in the 46th Ladies Open By Imee Garcia
YIPPEE!!! Our very own Chihiro "Chichang" Ikeda wins in the 46th Philippine Ladies' Open Amateur Golf Tournament held at the Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club. I am super proud of her! That's my buddy! Chichang, as she's fondly called at Apo Golf Club, is such a delightful young girl who is always smiling. She is such a charming 16-year old. Who would think she'd end up a threat to the women's golf around the world. And she is just warming up!
At the start of the final round, she was down by three strokes. She finished with a score of 73 while Lydia Ivana Jaya of Indonesia totally lost it by scoring a 79.
What a week it has been--Ikeda winning this year's Philippine Ladies Open, and Rosales and Delasin winning the World Cup of Golf!
The Philippine team represented by Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin wins in the Women's World Cup of Golf in Sun City, South Africa. It was a "come from behind" victory. After 9 holes of play, the Korean team was in the lead. But they just could not stop our Filipino duo from playing so well. They made five birdies and finished at 198, which is -18. The Koreans scored 200 losing by two strokes.
What an honor! Aren't we all proud? They have been making waves in the LPGA over the past few years. What a great start for the new year. Hopefully, we get to hear more of them in the LPGA events for 2008. Who knows, someday soon, we'll hear about another rising star--Chihiro "Chichang" Ikeda...remember that name!
"This win was all about the teamwork and the team spirit Jennifer and I enjoyed over the three days and it's a win we want to dedicate to the people of the Philippines," Dorothy Delasin said to the press.
"This is a very big day for all Filipinos around the world and it will definitely be good for golf in the Philippines," Jennifer Rosales said.
Looks like things are looking brighter for the Philippine female golfers around the world. And watch out, our very own Chihiro Ikeda will be joining them soon.
Forty women from twenty different countries participated in the golf tournament. In the end, the Philippines proved to be the best. Delasin and Rosales won US$280,000 in that said event.
What a feeling! I'm so proud. It gives me more inspiration to keep on playing the game. You ladies out there, why not try it out? Join us, please! Don't be shy. Sweat it out at the driving range!
I was in Cebu last weekend for the Sinulog Festival and got to talk to Lani Ayala and Tetel Tionko. They both are thinking of taking up the sport. That's good news to me. The more the merrier!
Speaking of Sinulog, I just want to let you know that I have a picture taken with Piolo Pascual. Ahhhh...Yes, arm to arm with me, he smiled and leaned over towards me as a friend of mine took our picture. I know it's not golf related..haha.. but I wanted to mention it anyway because I want the girls to be envious of me.
