DOTTIE Ardina, proving her mettle anew, scored her first
victory this year and her second in the Future Collegians World Tour by scoring
a 73 in the final round to rule the Plantation Inn Open in Tampa, Florida, over
the weekend.
Ardina, studying in the United States on a golf scholarship
grant sponsored by the ICTSI, shot a two-under 70 in the first round and
finished with a one-under 143, two shots ahead of American Victoria Bauman in
the 13-18 year old division of the tournament.
Ardina, cited recently by the Philippine Sportswriters
Association for her exploits in the international arena, was the only
participant in the final-round cast of 20 players from the USA, Germany, Canada,
France, Mexico and India, to break par.
Bauman, who opened her campaign with a three-under 69 in the
opening round, bombed out with a 75 in the final round. She finished with 145.
Caroline Pinegger of Germany finished with a 150, while
American Suzie Lee and Canadian Jacqueline Yanch came in fourth and fifth,
respectively, with 151 and 154.
The Plantation Inn Open is the fourth leg of the FCWT Junior
Golf Tour. Ardina also ruled the first leg–the Eagle Creek Golf Club
Championship–with 143 last November.
After finishing third in the ASU Open in December, she finished a notch
higher in the The Leadbetter @ IMG Acad Golf & Country Club Championship last
January.
