Thursday, August 28, 2008 Chiongbian: Garcia finishes second, again By Edgar R. Chiongbian Teetime
SERGIO Garcia once again became a bridesmaid this weekend to Vijay Singh at the Barclays tournament in Paramus, New Jersey at the Ridgewood Country Club. This PGA tournament used to be held at the Westchester Golf and Country Club in New York for 41 years and now it has moved to the Jersey side of the East river.
The Westchester tournament was also very popular before because they had celebrities playing with the pros in the pro/am before the start of the tournament. Since then, it has carried many names and just like many other tournaments in the US PGA, European Tour and Asian Tour, it has been named after a bank or investment company. We can fairly say that this is the sign to tell you; the money is in the bank.
Oh yes, Garcia lost on the second playoff hole to Vijay Singh after Kevin Sutherland bailed out on the first playoff hole in their trio tie on the 72 hole.
In two years, Sergio has taken the second spot many times with only one win. But don’t feel sorry for Sergio because even with this kind of playing, he is world No. 4, only one behind Pedraig Harrington and one ahead of Vijay Singh. Not bad Sergio, just win a major and get the monkey off your back.
In August last year, a group of Architects in Cebu and their construction colleagues formed a golfing group to promote camaraderie and develop opportunities within their business partners in the industry. They call themselves the Society of Architect Golfers and Associates (Saga). They are affiliated with Saga-Manila, whose members came to Cebu to celebrate their first anniversary with a golf fellowship tournament at the Alta Vista.
They are planning to have monthly golf outings at Alta Vista, Cebu Country Club, Mactan Island GC Golf and Club Filipino and would like to invite other golf enthusiasts to join and become members. Junefer Llena says that by joining you will get to meet the people in the industry up close and personal and make your work much more pleasurable and fun with the fellowship.
The Saga Cebu president is Archt. Jose Mari Canizares, who is a renowned architect of Cebu and a polite golfer. Why polite? He lets other guys win unless he really needs to bring it home. Other members are Ricky Aznar, Junefer Llena, Bernard Sia, Ramon Escario, Jun Torres, Jun Enriquez, Nonie Mapeso, Richard Tan, Francis Noel, Warlito Nimis and Edwin Chavez.
The 4th Cheling Garcia Cup tees off this Saturday at Cebu Country Club. This will be part of the August monthly medal tournament of CCC and has lots of prizes at stake. Expect some extra perks and competitions like, most accurate drive, longest drive and closest to the pin. Also, expect the father and son tandem of Efren and Marko Sarmiento as the emcee of the evening.
The defending champion is Jovi Neri.
Next week starting on Saturday through Tuesday, Club Filipino Inc. will host their signature tournament, the Corn Tee, at their Danao golf course. The format is a team of four players with only one member required. If you are interested in playing just call 231-1666. Awarding is on Tuesday at the Teatro of Pagcor- Waterfront Hotel, Lahug.
The Corn Tee used to be the biggest tournament in Cebu at the old location that is now the Ayala shopping center. The distance to Danao has made its aging membership less attractive because of extra drive. But now that the road going to the golf course is all paved, it is quicker and a lot easier to travel there. So get on the horn and call someone.
GOLF TIP. To get solid contact and a true hit on the golf ball, you must transfer your weight on the downswing through impact. But don’t move too aggressively toward your left foot on the downswing because your body will slide instead of rotating through impact. The sliding hips will disrupt your swing and cause a slice or a hook.
Firm up your left side through impact to eliminate the hip slide and help your body rotate. To make your upper body rotate fully, your left leg must stay firm as your hips turn through the strike. Think of your left leg as an anchor to keep your hip from sliding.
