After three days of competition, the winners in The Challenge, Alta Vista Golf and Country Club's annual junior golf tournament were recognized yesterday afternoon.
It was very heart warming to see the children beam with a lot of excitement and anticipation as they waited for their turn to be called on stage to receive their medals of trophies or to claim their raffle prize.
It was also fun to see them bond with their fellow players from the different parts of the country as they applauded the winners as each name was called.
The success of any junior golf or juvenile sports program hinges on the active participation of the adults. In the case of The Challenge, the parents were there and not at work or doing their own thing at the golf course, to make sure that the children will have a wonderful experience.
Among the most active were Jungolf committee chairman Benjie Hortelano, tournament chairman Opep Gandionco, and committee members Philip Hernandez and Zen Pastoriza.
There were also many other parents, who were there to give their all out support to the children, who are not only learning to play golf, but are also getting a lot of good lessons for life outside the course in the process.
Golf teaches you to be very careful about following the rules and not waiving them even if nobody is watching. It also teaches the child the discipline to make it to the venue on time as late comers will not be allowed to tee off and thus are disqualified.
It also teaches the players to be disciplined in many ways.
Even some parents have learned to discipline themselves for the sake of the children and that is another positive result.
It is always best to start them doing the right things at a young age. Teaching them the wrong things at such a tender age would not only be bad for these children, but our society in general.
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One of my good friends from the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) seems to be on a roll.
Maybe it's the putter that she got from another good friend or must be her desire to excel. I am referring to Marisol Abad-Pasion, who after winning in the Pink Tee also won in the quarterly tournament of Mactan Island Golf Club.
Congratulations, Sol!
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The San Francisco Giants are now two games up in the World Series of Major League Baseball against the Texas Rangers.
Although so many things can still happen, I am hoping that the Giants can protect this lead and win the title.
I also hope that this will spur more interest in baseball among the Filipinos. This is one sport where many Pinoys or those will the blood of the Maharlika have played in the big league.
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MILESTONES: I would like to congratulate two of my friends, who got re-elected as barangay captain last Monday, Ramil Ayuman of Apas, Cebu City and Yodi Sanchez of Busay, Cebu City.
Happy birthday greetings go to my cousins Chinky Quiñones-Flores and Cristie Iway-Barte. The same goes to Mia Embalzado-Mateo.
Tomorrow's greetings go to a few special people - Leonardo 'Jojo' Roa, Jr., Joselito 'Jiji' Gullas, and my cousin Liloan Mayor Vicent Franco 'Duke' Frasco.
Also celebrating their birthdays are top shooter Sandino Cinco, football coach Robert 'Kidd' Nicart, and my mistah Sherwin Gabrinez.
More power to all of you!