Nine-Year-Old Kelly Ang Shines as Champion in Ladies B Division at Bishop Otto Cenzon Cup XXII
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
At just nine years old, Kelly Ang stunned the crowd at the John Hay Golf Clubhouse when she was called to the stage as Champion of the Ladies B Division during the Bishop Otto Cenzon Cup XXII. With a gross score of 98, a handicap of 31, and a net score of 64—highlighted by a birdie in the Peoria game mode—Kelly proved that age is no barrier to excellence.
Her mother, Katherine, shared that Ryann Kelly has only been playing golf for a year, while her father Ryan Lester, who also competed in the family flight, proudly watched his daughter’s triumph. “The two ladies teed off in the red box reserved for ladies, while I was on the blue box,” Ryan said, beaming with pride.
The Ang family joined invited players from Zamboanga in the prestigious tournament. When asked if she would compete again, Kelly looked to her parents and replied with youthful sincerity, “I would if I was invited again.”
The awarding ceremony was graced by Bishop Raffy Cruz, Gen. Nelson Eslao, Mr. James Alviar, and Mr. Rolly de Guzman, who handed Kelly her trophy. She carried it with a wide smile, while Kathy Lim and Galima Batjer took first and second runner-up honors, respectively.
Meanwhile, another surprise unfolded in the same division when Mitos Benitez Yñiguez, restaurateur of HillStation, clinched her first Champion trophy. Yñiguez admitted that winning in Peoria was particularly challenging, calling it “the most difficult game to win because this is based on luck more than ability.”
The Peoria System, often used in tournaments without established handicaps, calculates a player’s handicap based on performance in 12 specific holes, allowing competitors of all skill levels to play on fair ground. Yñiguez posted a gross score of 85, handicap of 22, and net score of 63 to secure her victory. Hee Jin Kang finished as first runner-up, while Demma Dulnuan placed second runner-up.
The evening’s biggest title went to Macky Abriol, who emerged as Overall Champion in the Ladies Division with a low gross of 80.
The awards night was nothing short of phenomenal, filled with surprises that delighted both guests and seasoned golfers. For Kelly Ang, it was a moment that not only marked her as a rising star but also inspired the community with the promise of a new generation of golfers ready to carry the torch.
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