Filipino golfer Dottie Ardina, to make debut in upcoming Olympics

THE PHILIPPINE lineup for the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been released. 

In the roster, there are more than 20 Filipinos who will be proudly representing their country with dedication and determination. 

One of them is 30-year-old Dottie Ardina, who will be playing in the Women’s Golf Division of the Olympics. Here are some things you need to know about this Canlubang golfing star who’s on the up and up.

About Dottie Ardina

As per the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Dottie has been playing golf since she was five years old, even qualifying for the Tour during her first attempt at getting in. 

She’d received several accolades even as a child, such as being a finalist for the 2011 U.S. Girls Junior Championship, a five-time winner of the U.S. Kids Golf Championship, as well as a three-time winner of the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship.

Dottie would continue to make a name for herself in the golfing world, turning professional in 2013. She garnered two victories during the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour in that same year, and also won the Philippine Amateur Open, as per the USGA. 

As someone who’d been part of the Symetra Tour since 2014, the Globe and Mail reported that the golfer tied for second place during the 2015 Four Winds Invitational. 

Following this, as per GMA Network, was her win in the Thailand Singha-Sat LPGA Championships, marking her first win of a title abroad.

In 2018, she was a part of the Epson Tour, finishing second and earning the Epson Swift Award for being number one in the Volvik Race for the Card halfway through the season. 

In 2020, she got her first pro win during the 2020 Ballarats Icons Pro-Am.

In 2021, she finished T41 during the LPGA Q-Series, and then T45 in 2022. In 2023, she managed to record a season-best during the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

Throughout her career so far, many have praised Dottie for her performance, particularly during the Epson Tour as well as in several LPGA events. In May 2024, she was a part of the top 10 at the LPGA Mediheal Championship.

It’s no surprise, then, that she was able to secure a slot for the upcoming Paris Games. GMA Sports reports that this is due to her ranking 55th in the past International Golf Federation Olympic Rankings.

Ardina is currently 299th in the world rankings of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. 

Preparations

In the past, Dottie was also supposed to be a part of the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, as reported by the Daily Tribune, but had to step down due to the looming threat of the Zika virus at the time.

For her performance this season, Spin PH reports that Dottie played in two official LPGA events, missing the cut in the last one. Though some may think that she’s not had a good season thus far, she’s managed to bounce back, as seen in her making the cut for the Paris Olympics. 

The journey, however, is yet to begin. From here on out, it can be assumed that Dottie will be training rigorously to make her home country proud. 

The Daily Tribune reports that to win in the Olympics, Dottie – as well as Bianca Pagdanganan, another Filipino golfer who will be a part of the event – will do her best to maintain her form and stay mentally strong. 

PTV News also reports that there will be a month-long training camp to be held for the Olympic qualifiers in Metz, France, ahead of the event. 

“We are ready,” stated Tagaytay City Mayo Abraham Tolentino.

“This is the first time that the Philippine Olympic delegates will be having a training camp before the Olympics.”

The chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, Richard Bachmann, also noted that there has been a PHP 52-million budget to ensure that all preparations are met.