Thursday, March 01, 2007 Chiongbian: More records to shatter for CCC By Edgar R. Chiongbian Teetime
CONGRATULATIONS to the Cebu Country Club men’s team for taking the championship in the Founders division of the PAL Interclub tournament in Cagayan de Oro. And a job well done to skipper Montito Garcia, Carl Almario, Eric Deen, Mark Dy, William Hong, Jovi Neri, Marko Sarmiento, Joseph Stevens Jojo Tiongko and Nonoy Tirol.
This was an OOOXOOO performance in the last seven years and hopefully more O’s to come. Six out of seven is great but a straight six wins is awesome. So guys, after the celebration is done there are more records to break.
Congrats also to Mactan Island GC for taking third place in the Sportswriters division, which is quite a big accomplishment for the club. When GM Joya left for Cagayan de Oro, he already told me that this team means business and was ready to do what it takes to win. And yes, Joya redeemed himself by having his scores counted in the last two days of the tournament. To Alta Vista and Club Filipino, better luck next time.
WOMEN’S BREW. There is always something brewing when the ladies are involved. And it is not always coffee or tea. When we played the Mango Tee at Alabang, the ladies chapter there was given the task to marshal the tournament, which included making sure the three par 3 holes with drink houses did not back up. Our first day seemed like a normal golfing day without any incident. Since the shotgun tee off was used with two flights to each tee, the start will usually be slow and it gradually work its way out to flow evenly, with exceptions.
On Sunday, the last day of the tournament, the lady marshals were getting edgy and seemed very serious about the job at hand. They were afraid the awarding would be affected of any delays in completing the round. On one par 3, our group was told to tee off as soon as the flight in front got on the green. We all told the lady marshal that we were following these guys for two days already and we were always waiting on every shot, and we would prefer to wait in the shade of the tee house.
This angered her and she started to yell at us, telling my partner that we must listen to her. And her last words were something like, “Bahala kayo sa buhay n’yo because you are bad and won’t listen to me as the marshal of the hole.”
The flight that followed us included Finance Secretary Gary Teves and of course, they did not hit when we got on the green. This got us thinking that it was selective and the treatment was not equal among friends. On another tee, the lady marshal hurried us to the tee even before the guys in front of us, got to tee off.
I believe the ladies are very useful in tournaments but not all golfers are knowledgeable about tournament play and there should be some briefing and/or instructions before one can be a marshal.
In a recent ladies tournament, there was a flight that was left behind and that opened about four holes in front of them. When they were asked at the clubhouse why they were so far behind, the answer was that there was no one in behind them so that it was okay. Ladies please, it is good for you to know that the speed of play is to keep pace with the group in front of you, not behind you. In the strict sense of tournament play, once you open up one hole in front, you are on the clock to catch up. If you don’t, a two-stroke penalty is assessed to all the players.
While the Jungolf golf have advisers on the protocol, etiquette and how to learn the game properly, maybe there should also be one for the ladies chapter to avoid inner struggles and to continue the enjoyment of the game. To promote and accomplish harmony and understanding among all women and children, including the men. Hehehe.
The sports bonanza of Casino Español, called the “Copa de Casino Espanol,” will be launched tomorrow at the clubhouse in Ranudo. The tournament of tournaments will carry eight sport events that will be played during the month of March. The launching and fellowship will be from 6 to 8 p.m. The golf tournament is scheduled on March 29 at CCC.
GOLF TIP. Most right-handed golfers have a tendency to miss the left-to-right putts on the low side (right) because the putt moves away from the body. To correct this, adjust the ball in your stance by moving it about 1½ inch (one ball) towards your left foot and then putt with your normal stroke.
On severe uphill putts (even on straight putts) do the same as above but put most of your weight on the left foot. These adjustments compensate for the slope of the green and give the putter more time to square up to your stroke.
