Frankie pays it forward

Although I work on Sundays, I try to be normal and think that my week starts on Mondays.

I had a very early start for this week as before 7 a.m., I was at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club along with many others to witness the opening of the Frankie Miñoza Junior Golf Circuit AVGCC Leg.

Frankie was on hand to do the ceremonial tee off along with Victor Gocela, the chairman of the club’s jungolf committee; Director Vicente Go; Treasurer Ramon Sebastian; and Willy T. Go, chairman of the monthly medal committee.

After the balls were hit and the caddies who caught them earned an extra amount over their pay for following players for 18 holes, we retreated to the clubhouse with Frankie.

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While many other Filipino pros are giving back to the game that has made them what they are now, I believe that Frankie is the one, who has really given so much back among all of them.

Frankie does not only give clinics or tips to the players. In fact, I was very amused at his observation of how some teaching pros in the United States are earning money.

He holds tournaments like the one that ended yesterday for the juniors and throws his all-out support to them.

Many Cebuano juniors have stayed in Frankie’s home during tournaments and training at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon. He lends vehicles that can be used by the players and their chaperones.

Frankie also gives out so much stuff from his friends and sponsors saying that he really makes sure that what are donated for his tournaments are given away as this is what the sponsors would want.

If we have more Frankie Miñozas around the country, I believe we would have many more top caliber pros in the future and most of all, many happy junior golfers.

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Eight years ago at the Del Monte driving range, Frankie saw me whacking at balls using my “supersonic” backswing.

He told me that since it would be hard for me to slow down on the backswing I better pause for a few seconds before I hit the ball. It worked, but what I need to do is just remember it all the time when I play.

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MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to those who celebrated last Monday like Marly Tapang, Doris Isubal-Mongaya, Joy Ymbong, Indha (Mary Ann) Asani, Milona Mier-Barraca, and Ruby Batican-Yu.

The same goes to yesterday’s celebrants like my cousin Raiza Lebumfacil, Alan John Larot, Windell de la Rosa, Carlo Pnaganiban, and Eena Choa-Gardner.

Today’s greetings go to my niece and The Freeman sportswriter Marigold Lebumfacil, my Tao sis Yowee Gonzales, Audrey Risma, May Villaflor, and Madame Marilou P. Tadlip.

More power to all of you!