Edgar R. Chiongbian
Teetime

WATCHING the Barclays Singapore Open on TV was a welcome treat to most of us but the Star Sports channel that covered the tournament still came short of our expectations. With Star Sports’ preference to cover other sports like football, and the bad weather in Singapore, it turned out to be hodgepodge viewing for the golfing
fans. But when you’re hungry, you can’t get angry--just eat what you can get. This applies to anything, including sports.

Next in line for our expected pleasure is the HSBC Championship, the most prestigious and biggest prized golf tournament of the Asian Tour, which will be in Shanghai, China starting this Thursday. If you have Balls, you will get to watch it on TV.

Err, I mean, Balls channel. Tiger Woods is scheduled to play and so is Phil Michelson. No revenge match; just going for the win.

And once again, we will have to follow the scheduling of Balls, which will show it on delayed broadcast in the evening. So please don’t bet with your friends while watching the show, somebody may already know who is leading or who will win the tournament.

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In case you have not heard, the Presidents Cup at the Cebu Country Club has been postponed to Nov. 20-21. It will be a Friday and Saturday tournament, instead of the original Saturday-Sunday schedule. This works out well for me because I would not been able to play because of the Glamour & Glitz fashion show of ZONTA. This is one show you and your lady won’t want to miss. Prominent and lovely ladies of Cebu will be showing off for a very worthy cause to benefit the projects of ZONTA-1 Club of Cebu. If you guys enjoyed Mila Espina’s legendary “Legend Show”, this one is not only good, it is better because I will be prancing on the stage with wife Cely. So don’t miss out on this dinner show at the Marco Polo Hotel this Sunday.

Two Rotary golf tournaments were successfully held last month, the Pink Tee at the Mactan Island golf course that raised money for cancer projects, spearheaded by RC Fuente President Rady Abarintos. The second was the fellowship golf tournament of RC Port Center headed by Benedict Uy.

The CCC course is playing very easily these days. You can just go out and expect to break your handicap without trying hard.

The less concerned you are with your game, the better you play.

The reason for this is the golf course is in great condition, thanks to GM Clifford Celdran. No more bad bounces, the fairway is clean and grassy, and the greens are running true.

The dilemma of your handicap going down is when you join a tournament in another golf course, your only chance of winning is the bragging rights of having a low handicap. Hahaha.

Congratulations to the winners of the CCC President’s Cup of the Ladies Chapter played last Wednesday. Janette Chiu bagged the lowest gross with a score of 82, while the lowest net of 64 went to Joan Castillo. Class A champion went to Ada Martinez with a gross 83/net 66; the first runner up was Takako Horii and second runner-up was Nena Dyguani. Class B champion was the vivacious Vicky Moraza, with Mila Chan as first runner-up and Conchita Vangelder as second runner-up.

CCC OCTOBER MONTHLY MEDAL. Lowest gross was won by Bayani Garcia with a 70. Class A champion was Kim Kwang Seok (net 67) with Eric Deen as runner up. Class B Champion was Osamu Makimoto and Alex Choachuy Jr was runner-up. Class C champion was Alfredo Tan with Jun Luna as runner-up. Class D champion was Boy Barcelo with Ben Ebrada as runner up.

The senior Division champion was Edgar Chiongbian (net 66) with Tony Sikimhua as runner-up.

GOLF TIP. A very important move to get that powerful swing is to start your backswing correctly. The beginning of your backswing is a pre-setting for your downswing to get that extra clubhead speed and power. A common mistake is to drag the clubhead back with the arms but your shoulders staying in place. As a result your rotation will suffer with an abbreviated turn and you will produce a weak over the top slice or face.

Having a full turn will give you that natural extra clubhead speed to the ball. So, during the first two feet of your backswing, your shoulders should turn as your arm starts to swing away from the ball. When you bring up the club on your backswing, make sure to move your torso and arms in one piece and make the biggest possible turn you can make.

(erc@skyinet.net)