'Birdie'

This is not a riddle but try to figure it out. A golfer hits a birdie off the tee on a par-4 hole, but ends up with a double-bogey.

Confused? Well, let me explain what happened at the Cebu Country Club yesterday as relayed by my fellow columnist Bobit Avila.

Dr. Ismael ‘Boy’ Limkakeng, who was playing with Ray Patuasi, Rolly Jarantilla, Joe Suaco, and Dr. Rico Gandionco, teed off on the par-4 hole number 8 using a driver as a Precept ball. His tee shot soared, but hit a green pigeon (locally known as Punay) which died.

Bobit sent me pictures of the dead bird, but I had problems downloading them from my phone. I don’t have to describe it though, but for Bobit, he said that this is the first time in the 25 years that he has been a member of CCC that he learned of such feat.

I remember my late friend Manny Lucido once hit a bird (not one under par, but the animal) on one of the holes of Mactan Island Golf Club.

There was also that ‘double eagle’ scored by James Gaite on hole number 7 of CCC back in 2001. His second shot on the par-5 hole ended up inside a knot of a tree, which is one of many lining the fairway of the dogleg left hole.

I think there is still a rusty marker on that tree.

Well, as for Dr. Limkakeng, he definitely lost several yards from his ‘killer drive’ and was probably a little shaken that he ended up with a double-bogey on the hole.

The 8th of CCC is a long par-4 where it is best to stay left of the fairway off the tee so you get a clear look at the green.

Thanks Bobit for sharing the story.

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I received text messages from people I never expected to be bitten by the running bug that they are joining tomorrow’s 1st Cebu City Marathon.

They are not competing in the full marathon, which is the 42-kilometer event or the half marathon, which is the 21-K event, but are joining the fun event, which is the 5-K run.

I never thought that running was viral, but it seems that many have been bitten by the bug and have to take part in races as the only cure to their affliction.

It’s not a bad disease as I notice that those afflicted have developed stamina and great-looking bodies.

They seem to also be very contagious as their friends and families, including spouses, seem to have also taken up running and are having so much fun.

I once thought that the best sport for the family was badminton as you can play it even in your backyard and it is not as expensive as golf. I was very wrong, I think it should be running, which is very easy to learn (unless of course you want to train for big races) and is not very expensive when it comes to equipment.

So, what are you waiting for? Run for your life!

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MILESTONES: Birthday greetings go to Arniel Dago-oc, Karen Joy Jajalla, and my classmate Marjorie Piczon-Perales of Toledo City, who are all turning a year older today.

Advance greetings go to tomorrow’s celebrants, Ruby Bacolod, Mia Larrazabal-Carcel, and Ping Villegas.

More power to all of you! -  THE FREEMAN