Friday, January 18, 2008 Garcia: Palos Verdes tournament of champion By Imee Garcia
GEORGE Pineda and Jorge Garcia were playing golf one day. Jorge putted out and walked back to the cart. As George sank his putt, Jorge suddenly jumped out of the cart and dropped his pants. He had just sat on a bee and got a nasty sting and desperately asked his partner to get the stinger out. The scene of a man kneeling next to his playing partner's bare rear end was too much for the group playing behind the twosome. The group raced up to the two golfers and asked a single question:
The Ranchos Palos Verdes Tournament of Champions is just around the corner. The winners of the monthly tournaments will gather on a specified date and compete for the title of "the best player of the year."
I finally had a reason to start practicing seriously again. I was at the driving range a few days ago, and to my surprise, there were a lot of golfers practicing. The Golf Masters in Maa was full that night. I'm glad a lot of guys are getting back into the game.
I started hitting a few balls. I was so glad because the first shot I hit went straight and long. Wow, and to think I have not played in a long time. I guess it's like riding a bike. But of course I had some help with my golf notes. I make it a point to write down golf tips, so just in case my shot goes bad, I simply look at my notes to see what I'm doing wrong, or rather, what I'm NOT doing right. And it helps, so you should do the same.
I had some problems with my tempo, and what I usually do when I have problems like that is-I start looking around. I look at the guy in front of me, then I look at the guy behind me. No, I don't look at them and wink. I wasn't thinking of flirting. Hahaha! Nor was I looking for cute guys to give me inspiration. Nope!
Come to think of it now, why not? I think if I'm not hitting the balls well, I might as well make use of my time there and say 'hi' to everyone. Yes, start bugging and distracting everyone else so that they won't be able to concentrate and find their swing also, like me. (crab mentality!) It's either THAT or start eating my favorite appetizer which is the "kinupsan" (crispy pork skin). What a yummy cholesterol dish!
Going back to golf, (sorry, I went astray there for a moment), seriously now, I look around to find the regular good players and watch them do their swing. Once I observe them a few times, I try to copy their tempo, and yippee, I'm back in action once again! Unfortunately, that particular night, they weren't around.
The guys that were there that night probably had a great Christmas holiday and were like me-trying to find their swing as well. So I closed my eyes and turned around and back to facing my tee girl, and I said to myself--they are of no help to me, so I have to work on my swing on my own. I wouldn't want to get affected by their mistakes too. Ha!
I went to the driving range again on Wednesday afternoon. I did a little more tuning to make my shots better. I'm back in the game now. Yes, I have the golf fever once again. Golf! Golf! Golf! Pars and Birdies--that's what is on my mind now.
Lazy and overweight golfers, come join me. Lose the pounds and lower your cholesterol level. The monthly dues have gone up, I heard, so you should not let your money go to waste. Start playing so you'll get your money's worth.
Am I pushing you guys too much to get back into the game or what?
