CEBU - My dream of driving home a Volvo C-30 will have to remain one after missing all but one green of the four par-3 holes of the Cebu Country Club. Although a bit sore after having to play at a schedule when the sun was up from start to finish, it was still a fulfilling day taking part in the 8th Charity Fun Golf.
Although the tournament did not offer any giveaways to the participants, there was a record number of 144 players, who took part yesterday willingly giving their entry fees of P3,500 and even more that were given away to various charitable institutions last night.
Aside from the giving, there was also the good company that I had the honor to be with yesterday – Ernesto ‘Dodong’ Siguan and his wife Joy, Gina ‘Madam’ Yap, and Jacinto Limyutian proved to be great companions.
Some players of the flight ahead of us were also inspiring. The game of Marcelo ‘Alot’ Tan and Edo Tan did not make me feel as bad as I would have.
What probably capped their day was Robert Limyutiong’s tee shot that hit the pin on Hole No. 13 for a near hole-in-one, his near birdie, and also his near par on that hole. I can sympathize with Robert as putting wasn’t exactly something that I found enjoyable yesterday.
At the end of the day, the tournament winners were not exactly the happiest people, but those who would benefit from the funds that were given away. There were no lighter pockets, just lighter spirits as the players shared to the less fortunate.
Let’s keep this up.
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On Monday, I’ll be heading to Cagayan de Oro for the Sports Tourism Forum organized by my good friend Charles Lim.
This event will be a chance for the various sectors involved in sports to learn how to push sports as a come on for tourists.
In Cebu, we have had so many sporting events that have brought both local and foreign tourists to our place and I hope to share such experience with the other participants.
Sports tourism is not exactly something new, which is the reason why countries spend a lot of money to bid and to host the quadrennial Olympic Games and other major international sporting events.
If only we have a better rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center, we’d probably get a chance to host an international athletics meet.
I hope to see that happen before the 2010 elections.
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One friend once asked me what I do when I want to have fun. I told him that I take part in sports. He said that he meant something else and not sports, so I told him that in rare instances I unwind reading, but still that’s too serious he said.
Well, I guess next Sunday, November 30, I’ll have one answer that would satisfy my friend as I promised my good friend Judith Eugenio of J Eugenio Concepts that I would find time to be at the Rex Navarette show she is producing at the SM City Cebu Cinema 2.
I don’t know how he’s related to Rolando Navarette, but unlike the Bad Boy of Dadiangas, the boxer, Rex is a funny guy, who made a name in the US stand up comedy scene. (THE FREEMAN)