THE Philippine Ladies Open marks its golden year next year with a star-studded roster, led by the country’s leading players and a host of international stars, expected to clash for top honors at the tough Wack Wack East course.

Chihiro Ikeda tries to become the first back-to-back winner of the country’s premier ladies championship sponsored by Champion Infinity since Heidi Chua ruled in 2002 to 2003 and the ninth to reign for consecutive years, including Jennifer Rosales’ record five-year run from 1994, as she heads the field in the grand staging of the event on January 11 to 13, 2012.

Routs have marked the last two stagings of the event organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines (WGAP) with US-based Cyna Rodriguez romping off with a seven-stroke win at Manila Southwoods in 2010 and Ikeda cruising to a six-shot victory at The Country Club last year.

But with the tough WW East layout providing a different kind of challenge and the field to be beefed up by a horde of foreign stars, a down-to-the-wire finish is expected in the 54-hole championship backed by Duty Free Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission and Inquirer as gold sponsors.

Registration is ongoing with fee pegged at P7,000 or $170. Deadline is set on December 30. For listup, log on to www.wgap-golf.com, or e This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text or call 0908-8810366 or (632) 846-0973 (fax).

Ikeda’s teammates in the ICTSI golf squad are expected to join her in the title hunt, including reigning Queen Sirikit Cup champion Dottie Ardina, who will be looking for one title missing in her wide collection of trophies.

2005 champion and reigning Hong Kong Open titlist Jayvie Agojo will also be in the fold along with Samsung Amateur Open champion Lovelynn Guioguio, national team mainstay and China Amateur Open winner Andie Unson and New Zealand Under-19 champion Sarah Ababa.