The rivalry of all rivalries

There are rivalries that live shorter than a duffer can keep his ball in play at the treacherous layout of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club and there are those that simply just stick and seem to last forever.

I'm referring to the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, oops… I should say La Salle-Ateneo, unless I'd like to hear Dondi Joseph complain in the DLSAA egroup about putting the wrong school first in the billing.

The alumni and students of these two schools simply can't get enough of each other. Nope, they're not like the administration and opposition politicians since these fellas can move to one party to another every election or every month if they want to. The diehard La Sallites and Ateneans will stay green or blue forever.

What's nice about the rivalry is the fact that there is so much fun and friendship into it. The rivalry is getting the best out of the students and alumni instead of bringing the worst in them.

Why am I writing of this rivalry again? This is because in about five weeks, the 4th Ateneo-La Salle Golf Tournament will be held at the Cebu Country Club. Oops, I put Ateneo's name ahead again, but they're hosting the event this year so let them have that. Last year, when the La Salle Alumni hosted the event, it was the 3rd La Salle-Ateneo Golf Tournament.

I actually received word about the tournament early last month through the DLSAA, that's De la Salle Alumni Association, egroup.

Although Dondi, yes that guy of the Darras + Bowler fame, did not say it directly, he sounded like he was asking all green golfers (I hope this doesn't mean beginners) to start honing their skills for the tournament on September 13 and 14.

The format will give those who have more time a better chance of scoring well since it's going to be a best of two days, but you can opt to play only once for a lower entry fee.

The past three editions of the tournament, the Ateneans won it and last year was even almost a total whitewash. Thanks to Balamban Councilor Dave John Karamihan, who saved the day for La Salle by claiming one of the prizes, unfortunately it was for the most exercised player.

How can La Salle pull one over Ateneo just like in the recent badminton event that saw La Salle beat Ateneo soundly, thanks to the guys from Andres Soriano Memorial School in Toledo City? It might take a lot more effort than what was put in the past years.

Dave has volunteered to play for the opponents to help the cause of La Salle. Hehehe…

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Ateneo's golf team just had a show of force in the July monthly medal of Cebu Country Club with their chapter president and my compadre Jack Huang topping class B with a net score of 64 strokes.

It was probably coincidental that many players of the Ateneo team made it as winners like class D champion Atty. Ernie Limkakeng, class B runner-up Mario King, and also class C runner-up Atty. Joe Palma.

We're not talking about their other topnotch lawyers and golfers - the father and son duo of Atty. Julius Sr. and Jovi Neri.

La Salle is not however raising the white flag yet. There will be a big battle at the fairways for sure. I just hope it is one that would be more about golfing skills rather than ribbing skills. If La Salle can't win again in the golf course, then let's go back to the badminton courts.

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MILESTONE: A very happy birthday to sports editor Manny B. Villaruel, who is turning a year older today.

It seems just yesterday when I took him into the sports section as a 17-year old college student from Cebu Normal University. It has been such a long-time that we've worked together and I'm proud to say that he has proven his worth.

More power to you and cheers!