For the first time since the latest changes in the layout, I played the Mactan Island Golf Club course last Wednesday after learning at 5:30 a.m. that me and my buddy could not play at my home course as there was a tournament exclusive to guests of a telecom.
It wasn’t difficult to decide to drive to Lapu-Lapu City and by 6 a.m. we were there and ready to play.
For those who haven’t visited the MIGC lately, you’d be surprised to see that hole number 3, which used to be a par-4 is now a par-5.
The tree in the middle of the fairway is still there, but you now hit to former green of hole number 4.
Hole number 4 remains a par-3, but this is a new hole cut from the tee mound of the old 5th going to about 150 yards into the old fairway.
The 6th has the same green, but this time it is a par-4 that will require you to carry about 180 yards to avoid the water before hitting into the old green of number 5.
The sixth hole, which used to be a par-3 is now a par-3. The former green of number 7 is now the green of 6th.
The seventh hole is still a par-4 and the eighth, is cut from the first half of the old 9th and is a par-3.
The 9th is a par-4 where you tee off from the left of the old landing area.
While the most recent changes are in the front nine, the back remains the same from the last time I played the course sometime October last year.
The quick decision to play in Mactan sort of became another getting to know you with the course that is hosting the Kadaugan sa Mactan Island Tee next week.
As I have written earlier this week, the tournament is a member-guest event. Since the club members seem to have a hard time inviting friends to join, the organizers have decided to also allow members to pair off with each other.
Maybe the non-members of the MIGC haven’t had the chance to visit recently to appreciate the major improvements in the course.
Retired General Rodante Joya, the club’s general manager, has also invited the sportswriters to visit next week so that my fellow scribes will also get a chance to be acquainted with the only public course in Cebu.
The other golf courses are private with exclusive membership, which makes MIGC as an ideal breeding ground for the future stars.
I do know of many who like to go to Mactan as often as they can despite their membership in the private clubs.
They say it’s the company that they keep in MIGC that makes them feel very welcome each time they play in Mactan.
Next week, I believe more guests will decide to join the tournament, which was moved to this time of the year for the first time in 2009 to coincide with the celebration of Kadaugan sa Mactan.
See you at MIGC!
***
MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Sarah Cervantes-Pahm, who turned a year older yesterday.
Today’s greetings go to my buddy Vince Nery, football dad Buchoy Noel and Vera Naome Flores.
Advance greetings go to Richel Sale of Cebu Pacific and PMA class 1998 and RCTV’s Chad Songalia, who are both turning a year older tomorrow.
More power to all of you!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------