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As the sun rises up in the horizon, golf aficionados
from Tampa, Orlando, Lakeland, South Florida and Jacksonville gather at the pro shop waiting
for the registration to start. Different type of greetings, “embaraso” (embrace) or high-fives,
when good buddies and old friends meet. A gentlemen’s handshake when meeting new faces and to
be future golf buddies. A common scene where everyone meet each other after a long lay-off
from golf, when was that?…a week ago?
Nothing will change the camaraderie and unity of Fil-Am Golf Florida. You can see and
feel their happiness, exchanging jokes and bursting in laughter. Just two days prior to the tournament,
they’re complaining of back pain and the spiritual pocket pain. But pain doesn’t stop us from going and play
the sport we all love.
At last! After an excoriating 5 minutes wait (even a minute wait at the course feels like an hour or so),
Sidney and his wife finally came and tend the registration table.
Familiar faces of Joe-Tuging Infante, Gil Alferez & Dr. Nick Ungson of Orlando roamed
the area near the registration table. Same with Jun Fernando, Jun Pagaduan and my good buddy
Frank Estrada of Tampa, Jess Rosal & Jeff Gasmena of Lakeland and Mario Sabban and Ernie Sarmiento
of the host city. And of course all 21 South Floridians are in the mix, with Rey Obfenda busy collecting bet
money in his Class A Division, and yours truly for the Team Bet money pot.
As the 10:30 am tee-time is slowly approaching, most South Floridians are still in the driving range
perfecting their swing for a straight line drive. At the far end of the driving range, two of our guys
Vency & Jomari are taking their long drive straight to reach 200 yards. Hmmm..I observed, a little more hip
twist will help reach their mark. And on the putting green, Byrd Levertes mimics Tiger Woods’ long sure putt.
On the way back to the pro shop, it seemed that Gerry Alvarado didn’t move from the golf cart from the
time I make my round and back. He must be meditating or counting his strokes before placing a bet against
Doc Torres. Finally, the 10:30 tee time came to call, host Mario Sabban in his opening remark thanked everyone
for their participation especially to the South Florida team for their huge attendance. Sidney Porte followed
with his inspirational remark and the pro shop manager took over the microphone to announce the local rules
and tee box designation.
Surprise….surprise! The tee box designation was moved from short yardage Blue to long yardage Gold, except
for 65 years old and older. Don’t feel bad, 64 years older…you’ll have it next year.
Whoa! Well…well…well…what the heck! Let’s play golf! “Here we come Ocean Links, we’re gonna beat your slope.”
(do I hear Doc Torres say that?)
From the starting par 4, hole #9 to the finishing par 4, hole #8….No Comment!!!
The play by play hole have been black-out. Whew! That course beat the shit out of everybody.
Most players hit the century mark except for some 6 players out of 79 whom with God’s blessing
scored in mid 80’s and high 90’s. Once again, Rey Cabal showed us that he belongs to Class A,
shot 97 with net of 65.
Ocean Links Course is a monstrous one, the narrow fairways are lined up with white and red stakes.
How many balls were lost? Say minimum of 3 per player multiply by 79 equal to 237 balls. I should have
used my putter from the tee box all the way to the green, at least a double or a triple is better than a
10, 11 or a 12. I can picture each player’s faces and their body language hole after hole. Are they
constantly cursing? Shit yah! I bet you they all do! After each group finished their game, time to
hand the scorecards. I heard one player asked, “ How did you shoot?” The other replied, “Please don’t
ask or I’ll shoot you.” Laugh out loud…both burst into laughter. These guys not only played miserably but
also suffering starvation. Imagine, it’s worst than stress and depression.
Talking of starvation, where’s the food? Ah! There goes Sidney and Mario handing direction to the picnic
area where food is abundant. Everyone is rushing up to find the place after the direction was handed out.
Jomari and myself took a ride with Sotelo and Rey Obfenda. Take a wild guess!, we did about 5 turn around before
we reach the place. The printed direction was so confusing, even Galileo will have a hard time looking for it.
I thought maybe they really did it that way to make us starve more. At last! Food and lots of food. Lechon
(roast pig), menudo, adobo, pansit, pa-paitan, fruit salad and more. And of course cold beers in the cooler
as well as soda for non-alcoholics.
Food was good and plenty of beers. As for the usual scene when Harry meets Sally,
Joe-Tuging entertained the crowd with his jokes, seconded by other stand-up comic in the
likes of Jojo Genetiano. Bonfire was set by Ricky Calingo and Mario as their wives are busy
attending to everyone to serve food.
As we were about to leave the on-going party early, more players are coming every minute. Ngess what?
They can’t find their way either to the picnic area. In golf terminology they did double par 5. Sarrrraapppp!!!!
On our way to the car, we can still hear the loud noise and laughter of everyone!
What a day! Oh what a night! For us …Jomari, Rey C., Louie, Amar, Vency & myself,
we have to hit the road.
But wait a second! Doc Torres and Conrad Casem want us to guide them on the way out of the picnic area
onto the main road. But of course, who are we to say no!
Brooomm…brooom…”Wait!”, Vency asked Rey to step out of the SUV to guide him out since the parking lot
is crowded. Have you heard of a bus conductor tapping the side of the bus to guide a bus to back out?
That’s how Rey C. did it to Vency’s SUV.
On the way out, there’s Doc and Conrad following us. Inside the SUV, we were exchanging stories of how are
golf game sucked. We made a turn after turn on our way out of North Hampton Estate (Mario’s place). “Turn right!”
Rey C. commanded. So Vency did! “ Wait a second, please stop!, I can’t see Doc following us!’, Amar said.
“ Let’s wait for them, have mercy because they’re old and they might get lost!’ Louie worriedly said. Waiting
for about 3 minutes, no Doc and Conrad. Amar decidedly called Doc’s celly. “Hi Doc, where are you?, we’re waiting
for you! Amar exclaimed. Hear ye!…Hear ye! Doc replied, “We are already out of the estate and in State Road 200
and almost in our Hotel! Laugh out loud my friends, please do, blame the navigator, Ngess what again!!!….we are
the ones who were lost!!!
The second day story, is much as same as the latter. The only difference is that the golf course is called
Oak Marsh. Same results with the scorecards, only slightly better. The direction to the Hall is much better and
food was almost the same except there’s fish this time. And a poker table was set up by Gil Alferez with Roland,
Vic, Doc, Jessie, Ogie, Jess L., Rey O. and Sonny were ready to donate their money to the winner.
It was fun and the event is almost over. Some of us can’t wait for the event to close and hit the road early.
After everyone had cured their starvation, others stayed and patiently awaits the announcement of winners
and presentation of trophies. And the winners are;
Low Net Class A Champion - Gigi Tolentino
Low Net Class A 3rd place - Emmanuel Antonio
Low Net Class C Champion - Rey Cabal
Low Net Class C 2nd Place - Myke Upright
Low Net Class C 3rd Place - Amar Samson What about Class B?, since we don’t have winners, who gives a damn (joke only!)
And yeah baby! For the third consecutive Fil-Am Golf of Florida Interclub Champion….(drum beat please)….
FIL-AM GOLF of SOUTH FLORIDA!!!!
See ya all at Tampa next year!
Geeman
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Shortly after….here comes the gang and the practice putting green became a meeting place.
It’s nice to see Doc Torres back in the fold after a long lay-off. Watch out Gerry! Doc’s gonna get your money.
Then my cell phone starts ringing every minute, “Did you got my message?” , “I’m lost, where is the golf
course?”, or “I will be late!” and so on and on and on…..( I suggest that you read your e-mail one more time
before you leave your house).
As usual at the reception (collection) table, you’ll find me & Jun doing the job as the other Committee
Members so busy honing their swing at the putting green and the driving range. Sarrrraap!
Anyhow…the carts starts rolling onto each designated holes just in time of the 12:30 pm schedule.
I was with Roland, Jesse & Conrad Casem to start the Par 4, Hole #8. From our tee box, I noticed Jun
Abundo placing his marker near the pin at the Hole #7’s green. Winnnnah!
Teeing-off from Hole#8, my drive went right, under the tree, (bad sign) you know what? That’s a
triple bogey to start the hole. Well, I wasn’t alone Roland did the same, Jesse went for a double and Conrad
for a Par. Our game was a whack except for Conrad. Our excuse was the nice cold weather affected our game!
He-he-he!!!
To make the whole story of the game short starting form Hole #8 and to end the game at Par 3 Hole #7,
the three us need to land the green to avoid hitting the century mark. Guess what! Roland hit the water first
and a fish went afloat. Jesse hit it twice and two fishes are in the Intensive Care Unit, and my ball landed at
the edge of the water.
As usual Conrad lands on the green and I need to hit my 2nd shot from the hazard’s edge, swisss… ka-boom
it hit the edge of the cliff and went into the water. The freaking turtle got scared and swam away.
As usual hand shakes at end of the game with the three of us bursting in laughter. It was a fun and friendly
game…only Conrad can’t share a laugh.
Back onto the clubhouse, scorecards and tallies of scores, I figured that Conrad Casem will once again
be the repeat champion of Class A and thinking that Bembol will be the Class B champion with gross score of
85/net 66. But wait! Here come Rey Cabal with his scorecard, gross score of 92/net 62. Everyone was shaking
their heads and can’t believe that these two fine Gentlemen are repeat winners. So Bembol came in 2nd place,
Conrad Casem once again was the Class A winner. But who’s the Class A 2nd placer? Best second net score was 72,
with Vic Rudio and Dan Baquiran. Dan beat Vic in the tie breaker for 2nd place but didn’t won the community
pot b’coz he didn’t chip-in (or cheapin).
As usual a round of beers from the winners as well as from the losers. Always a great and best of time
before and after the golf game.
Congratulations to the Class A & Class B winners Conrad Casem & Rey Cabal respectively.
After winning two consecutive tournaments, Conrad Casem is considering to turn Pro next year.
And Rey Cabal will moved up to Class A to replace Conrad. Don’t feel bad Gerry, you still have Doc
and Rodel to bet on.
As Mr. Sun sets in early, Mrs. Dark shows up to spoil the day and it’s time to say goodbye, goodnight
and see you next time.
But wait a minute! Sotelo exclaimed! There is one more group behind. You gotta be kidding me it’s way dark
out there and they’re still playing? Ngess who?( sabi nga ni Ngongo) as what a hair lip person will say. It’s
Batman…Superman…Darna and Wonder woman. Folks..it was Vency Marcos, Alden Arteza, Michael Zaguirre and Byrd
Levertes. They just lost their way back to the club house after they finished their hole at 5:59pm,
That was Sunday, November 23, 2008.
Cheers! See ya all on December!
Geeman
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