The many stories we write

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – It feels like home in this City of Golden Friendship as I still meet many familiar faces and even friends when I walk around the malls.

These people are not exactly based here, but participants of the Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Tournament, who have also been in the event for many years like me.

Aside from covering the event for the past 18 years, I also had the chance to be a competitor in the years 2000 to 2002 playing for Mercedes Plantation Golf and Country Club twice and Alta Vista Golf and Country Club once.

The experience was different and the course looked different too as I had to play from the back tees with the rest of the participants including the best amateurs of the country.

I also play in the media event, which happens during the two-day break between the seniors and men’s regular events competing with other sportswriters from Manila and Davao.

This year, our tournament was cut to only 27 holes instead of 36 as we were all soaked at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon during the second day of competition.

The rains have also softened the course in Bukidnon and it was quite muddy when we went up there again yesterday to take pictures of the teams competing in the premiere Championship division that included Cebu Country Club and Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

There were years in the PAL Interclub when I had nothing much to write about in terms of how the Cebu teams fared. This has changed the past ten years though as Cebu Country Club started lording it over the Founders division and other teams like Club Filipino had wins in the seniors’ event and Alta Vista figured prominently in the Sportswriters class.

Mactan Island Golf Club also showed its class in both the seniors’ and men’s tournaments for the Sportswriters category.

There was also a time when the Leyte Golf Club team was composed mainly of Cebuanos and had won in the Friendship division.

There are so many stories to write about the PAL Interclub if only I had the time and all the newspaper space for them.

Many of the stories get handed down from one generation of players and writers to another.

The tournament is now on its 64th year and counting. 

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On Sunday, the 1st Security Practitioners Shootfest will be held at the NS Outdoor Firing Range in Tawason, Mandue City.

This is a project of the Philippine Society for Industrial Security (PSIS) and is open to all shooters. Entry fee is P500 and already entitles the participant to lunch.

My fellow officers of the PSIS-7 will also be inducted into office. I will miss that due to my trip schedule.

Those interested to join can just go to the range on Sunday.

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While writing this piece, I got word that Cebu Country Club is the first day leader of the Championship division.

This is only the second time that the team is in the premiere class having been put there in 1999 before it started ruling the Founders division.

I hope this good start will continue for the next three rounds. 

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to LT. Col. Richard Ruffy, our class president for PMA Sambisig Class of 1991. The same goes to Butch Guillen, Marilee Estampador, and Zyra Dee Ramos.

Advance greetings go to James Ramos and Cathy Talaugon-Angeles, who are celebrating tomorrow.