Poker and golf

CEBU - I got a surprise call from a guy better known to friends as Antiong (not to be confused with one of our Big Brothers, Ang Chiong) a few days ago. Antiong or Edwardson Chiu told me about a big poker tournament set this weekend.

It is the 3rd Cebu Open, P1 Million Guaranteed No-Limit Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament at Teatro Casino inside the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

I am no poker player, and the closest I got to playing this very popular card game and sport was on my old trusted Palm Pilot V, which was way before personal digital assistants (PDAs) were a fad.

Registration fee for this event brought to us by All in Poker Room and Pagcor, is P1,000. Registration starts at 12 noon on Saturday and tournament starts at 2 p.m.

The champion, according to Antiong, will get a bracelet worth P100,000, an elegant trophy, and an estimated 30 percent of the total prize pool.

Last year, 161 players from all over the country took part in the competition and the organizers are bent on surpassing that number this year.

Poker is such a big thing worldwide and in Cebu that several clubs have opened around town.

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Courses built by Pete Dye (no relation to Peter Dy of PLD Construction) are known for their tough hazards resulting to many ruined games.

According to the “Amazing But True Golf Facts,” Dye was asked to renovate a course that included real ruins.

Dye was hired to spruce up the Caesarea Golf Club, which is the only 18-0 hole course in Israel. Local rules of this club state that all relics from the Roman period are considered integral parts of the golf course, so free drops are prohibited.

You can now truly say that “ruins ruined your game.”

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I wasn’t scheduled to play yet yesterday, but the Cebu Country Club seems to have that “siren call” every time it holds the Coral Invitational that just takes me there even if I am not part of the event.

Although the skies yesterday afternoon were very gloomy (I’m beginning to think it rained because I had my car washed after lunch), the mood at the clubhouse wasn’t reflective of the “bed weather.”

It must have also been because I saw my very good friend and compadre Michael Go, who I bumped into again for the second time yesterday after were at the Sugbu Medical of Dr. Laurence Lim in the morning.

He’s supposed to be based in Singapore and Manila, but who can say no to the Coral Invitational? I’m sure Mike’s not one of them.

There was so much to do and to see at the veranda too – lots of stuff on display and lovely ladies, who are sure to inspire the players. Hmmm, that should explain why Mike and I sank our putts at the Goodyear booth. 

I hope it doesn’t rain today. Well if it will, I hope it won’t be in the early morning.

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MILESTONE: Advanced happy birthday greetings to Sr. Supt. Augusto Morales Marquez, Jr., the director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, who is turning a year older tomorrow.

SL (Squad Leader) MarQ may be across the Tañon Strait, but he remains to be the Big Brother of many members of the Philippine Military Academy – Cebu Squad Inc.

More power sir!   (THE FREEMAN)