The 2012 Open Championship begins

BEFORE anything else, congratulations to Bayani Garcia for winning in the recent Chairman’s Cup! Yippee!!! He won first place in the Individual Category of the Eagle Division. His team, TGIS 1, also won first place in the Team Category of the Eagle Division. cough…cough…libre lechon... cough…cough…Joke!

Joke time: And so, a middle-aged Pinoy golfer goes home after a round of golf. It was a bad day for him. Upon entering his house, a conversation took place.

Anak: Pa, buntis ako.
Papa: Okay. Matulog ka na.
Anak: Di ka ba magagalit sa akin?! Di mo ako sasampalin? Anong klase kang Ama?? Wala kang pakialam sa iyong anak?!?
Papa: Hay naku! Talo na nga ako sa pustahan kanina sa golf, pinapa-init mo pa ang ulo ko. Tumigil ka na nga, Berto! Matulog ka na.

As you know, Berto, the 2012 Open Championship, also known as 2012 The British Open, started yesterday. Among all the major tournaments, this one has the best schedule of all. Unlike the other majors, we do not have to wake up very early to watch the tournament LIVE. Keep in mind that Davao is 7 hours ahead of Royal Lytham & St. Annes which is this year’s venue of the Open Championship. Live coverage will be in the afternoon up to the evening.

Who is my favorite? As always, Tiger Woods. And you, Berto, who is your favorite? Who do you think will win the Open Championship trophy this year? FYI, Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, 42, won the trophy last year. I will never forget the venue of last year’s British Open. It was in Sandwich. A funny name for a town. If someone asks you where you live. Ummm… I live in Sandwich. My flatmates are ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato.

Whose name will be engraved in the Claret Jug this year? FYI, that is the name of the very prestigious trophy of the Open Championship. Will it be a European, an American, an Australian, or an Asian? In the next couple of days, we will know.

Just so you know, in the Las Vegas betting odds, Tiger Woods tops the list with an 8/1 chance of winning. Next is Rory McIlroy with a 10/1. In third one is Lee Westwood with a 12/1.

More names and betting odds? Luke Donald, 15/1; Padraig Harrington, 20/1; Phil Michelson, 25/1; Justin Rose, 25/1; Sergio Garcia, 30/1; Martin Kaymer, 30/1; Rickie Fowler, 30/1; and Graeme McDowell, 30/1.

Good luck to our favorites. Looking forward to seeing all the great players in golf in the coming days. Many of the golfing hubbies will be good boys this weekend as they will be staying home to watch golf on TV. Better prepare some coffee as I find this major tournament the most boring to watch.

Congratulations to the winners of the 5th Chairman’s Cup Open Golf Tournament held last July 14-15, 2012! Individual winners were Eagle division overall champion Bayani Garcia, Durian division overall champion Jing Gavino, Pomelo division overall champion Saturnino Quinaquin and Chico division overall champion Chiboy Apostol.

In the Team Category, the winners are: Eagle division winners: Team champion – TGIS 1 (403 points). Team members: Bayani Garcia, Toffee Tionko, Karloz Alba, Peter Pineda, Eric Noh; first runner-up – Aeon Towers (400). Team members: Bobby Wee, Marc Lopez, Joel Yamyamin, Larry Miculob, Andrew Bautista; 2nd runner-up – TGIS 2 (399). Team members: Den Den de Castro, Jun Plana, Jinggy Tuason, Leo Fusilero, Alimar Etrone.
Durian Division: team champion – SECDEA (363. Team members: Jing Gavino, Ludwig Ledesma, Gani Gascal, Nido Albarillo, Boy Pude; 1st runner-up – D’ Seniors (360. Team members: Jimmy Larrabaster, Soc Cadayona, Jun Serado, Manny Nitorreda, Ting Castillo; 2nd runner-up – TGIS 3 (356). Team members: Jeff Ramirez, Patrick Tan, Bobong Cabang, Pao Angeles, Vincent Gumapac Pomelo division winners: team champion – International 1 (334). Team members: Jun Horfilla, Arnold Jumalon, Boying Uy, Totoy Ponce de Leon, Jojo Bonjoc; 1st runner-up – Perfect Swing Verdes (332) Team members: Andy Ugdoracion, Mayong Pillerin, Jong Tan, Jun Pedro, King Rivas; 2nd runner-up – Tabakeros (326). Team members: Ricardo Rainer Cruz III, Saturnino Quinaquin, Rejoice Subejano, Rizaldy Salimbangon, Rean Ante; Chico division Winners: team champion – PGA South Cotabato (264. Team members: Chito Alba, Camilo Dajay, Mike Barnuevo, Art Gamolo, Jojo Simbolan; 1st runner-up – Leo Lands (263 tiebreak- 20 points). Team members: Pol Leuterio, Bobet Leuterio, Edwin Leuterio, Al Cobol, Albert Casenas; 2nd runner-up – AGAD 5 (263 tiebreak- 11 points). Team members: Antonio Bautista, Celso Sarenas, Wilfredo Junsay, Antonio Mendoza, Sammy Estabillo.