Filipino golfers plunge into action on Monday, drawing confidence from the generous fairways and large undulating greens at the Garden City Golf Club, a 10-year-old golf course situated 15 kilometers northeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Nationals are hoping to improve on a bronze medal showing in Vietnam last year.
A pair of 16-year-old prodigies — Jaden Dumdumaya and Rianne Malixi — is spearheading the team’s bid for the four gold medals at stake.
Dumdumaya, one of the top junior players in North California, will be making his debut in the biennial games after earning one of three spots during qualifying at home.
“The fairways are wide and the ball travels far so I’m excited to see what the outcome is this week,” said the De la Salle High School student. “I have a strong feeling about my team and what we can do in these Games.”
Dumdumaya, winner of the Drive, Pitch and Putt tournament at Augusta National last year, will be reunited with an old rival — Thailand’s No. 1 TK Chantananuwat Ratchanon who he had played against in the 9-10 age-group division of the Junior World Championships.
Also wearing the country’s color for the first-time is British-born Enrique Dimayuga who finished fourth in local qualifying.
Dimayuga, who plays for the University of Arkansas, was vacationing in the Philippines when he was convinced to join the tryouts.
He is the son of natural-born Filipinos who migrated to England.
“The course is fun. Lots of opportunities to make birdies,” Dimayuga said. “The fairways are soft and the greens are very undulating. The heat is the biggest challenge this week for me.”
‘The course isn’t too hard. Just a lot of positioning off the tee, especially on the greens since the greens are very slopy.’
Luigi Paolo Wong, another Games debutant, sees a winning score between 10 and 12-under.
“Everything’s been great. Me and the other guys have been getting along really well especially since we’ve known each other only recently,” said Wong, a San Jose State University standout.
“The course isn’t too hard. Just a lot of positioning off the tee, especially on the greens since the greens are very slopy.”
Wong said the accommodation was great since the hotel they were staying in is just beside the golf course.
Aidric Chan, the only male golfer with SEAG experience, was a member of the team that won the silver in 2019. He’s the last Filipino to arrive.
All four United States-trained players are hoping to end an 18-year drought in men’s golf. The last Filipino to win the gold was Juvic Pagunsan who led a sweep at home in 2005.
The Philippines is fielding the same players that won the bronze in the team event.
Malixi, the country’s top bet, is out to better her ninth-place finish in Vietnam.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time but knowing how much preparation and hard work I’ve put in the past few weeks, I know I’ll do just fine,” Malixi said.
Also returning are Lois Kaye Go and Mafy Singson.
“The course is nice. Most holes have pretty wide fairways,” Singson said. “The greens aren’t fast but the slopes are pretty slippery, so it’s definitely tricky greens.”
