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Thursday, August 11, 2005
Chiongbian: Karma on the greens
By Edgar R. Chiongbian
Teetime
The golden rule about sponsoring or running a tournament is that you are not supposed to win it. But believe me, it happens quite often. So if you want a good chance of winning a tournament, organize one yourself and be ready to accept the trophy or prize.
I’m sure that this is not by design but rather a case of karma. It happened to me before and let me tell you that the mixed feeling of embarrassment and joy can give you quite a high.
In the last Monthly Medal Tournament at CCC, two out of the three sponsors won big. Ang Chiong grabbed the championship trophy of the Class C and Edward Go took home the top prize (cell phone). Sorry, Ed, hope this was not a secret. The third guy, Henry Chi Uy, was not so lucky.
The turnout for Federation of Seniors golf tournament was huge with about 75 seniors hacking away at the Alta Vista golf course last Friday. These guys are unbelievably good with half the field scoring under par. All the winners had net scores in the 60s, including Rene Sarmiento, who took the lowest gross with a score of one over par 73.
Here again the tournament chairman, Ben Villamor, won the top prize in the Super Seniors. Was it luck or is he just plain good? Nah, just karma! It was a day of ties and so the countback was the order of the day. There were a ton of players with identical scores of net 66s. In fact seven of the nine winners in three divisions were all tied at net 66. Can you imagine some players with the same score going home without a trophy?
The Young Seniors champion was Boy Alegre of Mactan with a net 62, while Danny Flores of Alta (64) and Julius Neri of CCC (66) wound up second and third, respectively. The Mature Seniors saw Rogelio Hamak of Alta clinch the championship with a 66, followed by Noburo Takahashi of CCC (66) and Ben Tio of Club Filipino (66).
The Super Seniors winners were Ben Villamor of Alta (66), Tony Tankaw of CCC (66) and Greg Gepitulan of Alta (66). Guest Division hardware went to Danny Reyes (62), Bonn Villanueva (67) and Rolando Alberto (69).
In case you wonder why there are so many golfers now playing at Alta, let me say that it has nothing to do with the greens and fairways because our report shows that there has been a change at the registration desk. They now have STC grads Karen Valencia and Cheryll Flores handling their registration needs, and it has become painless to get your paperwork done.
Isn’t that a nice way to start your golf game? I personally took a peek and yes, I do agree.
Did you guys watch the International golf tournament of the PGA last weekend?
The PGA is trying to make this the fifth major, but so far no word. I think because its popularity is in question. This is the only tournament in the PGA that a plus is good and a minus is bad because of the Modified Stableford System used in the scoring.
It is totally different from our way of scoring in the Stableford System. The International applies deductions of one point for bogey and three points for double bogey or higher. No points for par two, plus points for birdie, five points for eagle and eight points for a double eagle.
In our way, there are no deductions and instead zero points for net scores of double bogey or more. The proper way to describe this method should be the PAL system as modified by Philippine Air Lines. Many know that the PAL system favors the high-handicapper and that is why we have divisions. I like the PGA system better because it is more reflective of how your game is playing and there will be no need for divisions.
GOLF TIP: When on an uphill, you should take advantage of the lie by using it as a launching pad and play an aggressive shot. Swing with the slope, not into it. Aim a little right of target since the shot will tend to go left and use one more club to compensate for the higher trajectory.
Tailor your set-up to the slope by first placing your feet together and then setting the clubhead behind the ball so the sole is flush to the ground. While holding the club in this position, tilt your shoulders until they are parallel to the slope.
This will also tilt the club back and the tendency is to push your hands ahead to compensate. You don’t want to do this, so shift your stance back to match the club. The butt end of the grip should be pointing slightly ahead of your belt buckle, just like in an even lie. This will put the ball position a little forward of your stance, exactly what you want.
(erc@skyinet.net)
(August 11, 2005 issue)
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