SPORTS fanatics are some of the most active in social media and love to pick fights. And with the arrest of Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa over a 2014 article for cyber libel, it means we better be extra careful online. Or better yet, delete all the insults you’ve written in social media.
Who knows? Some bored boxer who you called a bum in 2008, or a baller whom you’ve accused of tanking in 2004, might suddenly sue you for cyber libel when they hit 60 years old.
Interesting times we live in.
What is interesting for the local golfing community too is the PAL Interclub, which will hit town for the second time in five years.
If you want sports tourism, then this tournament is the one to bid for. With over 200 teams made up of players who can outspend a sugar daddy--some of whom are sugar daddies--it’s a boon for Cebu’s tourism sectors. I’ve been in a few PAL Interclubs and I’ve always wondered what the tournament brings to a host in terms of tourism money and free advertising.
Each team--made up of 10 players--hires a van or two--and scours the local restaurants for the best dishes. Aside from that, they’d go to the usual tourist spots on off days and share their experience to friends and relatives on social media. Some of these teams are based abroad and their recommendations count for free advertising.
Their week-long stay in hotels is a boon to the sector too.
The event was held in Bacolod last year, when Mactan Island Golf and Country Club won the Friendship Division. At home soil, I hope Mactan gets to defend its title. The Cebu Country Club, which has a storied history in the Founders Division before winning a couple of Championship Division titles recently, is always a contender.
However, as with the PAL, I don’t know which division they will be playing in this year. CCC always prepare for the Interclub months ahead and it would be interesting to know who they will be fielding this year. Some of their players like LJ Go and Chuckie Hong have moved on to the pros while Gen Nagai is now in the US on a golf scholarship.
Jovi Neri, whom I always consult with when it comes to CCC’s history in the PAL Interclub, has always pointed out to me in the past that theirs is a club that proudly fields homegrown talents. They take pride when such belief in their own is rewarded with a PAL Interclub trophy.