The View Invitational

CEBU, Philippines - Many people I know want to spend a lot of time at the golf club.

There are a few lucky ones, who are habitués at their clubs spending almost all of their waking hours either at the golf course or the restaurant.

The past two weeks, I feel like living the life that I want by being at the golf club almost everyday, but unfortunately not to just loll around or play the game, but to cover tournaments and help in the preparations for The View Invitational 2012, which tees off today at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

At least tomorrow and Sunday, I will get to play in the annual member-guest tournament, which is also the club’s signature event.

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Today, there are about 170 players who will be teeing off. The first flight will start playing at 5:10 a.m. while the last flight will tee off at 1:30 p.m.

It will be four long days at Alta Vista, but the participants and organizers are all excited about the biggest tournament of the year.

Many of the raffle prizes that will be given away in this Sunday’s awards ceremony are now on display at the club’s lobby while streamers of the record number of sponsors adorn the clubhouse and the tee mounds.

There are also several hole-in-one prizes at stake for those who might score the rare feat.

The course has five par-3 holes – the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 13th, and 15th.

At stake for an ace on all par-3 holes are a Meister watch, a motorcycle from Norkis Trading, P200,000 worth of bet coupons from Pagcor Mactan and Lahug, and a LG 32-inch TV.

An additional prize for an ace on the 2nd hole is a gift certificate for hotel accommodation from Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

On the 8th is a trip ticket from Marist Royal Holidays Travel and Tours.

For the 13th is a Kia Picanto from Kia Motors Cebu while on the 15th is trip to Hong Kong from Philippine Airlines with accommodations from Marco Polo Hotel and a residential lot from Santa Lucia Realty.

On all par-4 holes, a gross eagle will win the player a Skygo motorcycle.

In case more than one player will score an ace or an eagle, the prizes will have to be equally shared.

The only time I witnessed a hole-in-one was back in December 1998. I hope to see once again in this tournament.

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I received a call yesterday from my mistah Col. Romeo Racadio of the Philippine Marines, who is now team manager of the Philippine Navy Team in Ronda Pilipinas.

Romy said that his team finished fourth in the prelude, which was a team time trial in General Santos City.

Ronda Pilipinas is the national cycling tour and although Cebu is not part of the itinerary, we will be following the action because of the Navy team and team Cebu backed by Y101-FM.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to columnist Valeriano ‘Bobit’ Avila, Mary Ann Kansi-Meade, Charisse Velez, Hans Congmon, and Gemma Gulbe-Geshelin.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Dr. Arthur Padilla, top photographer and dentist Dr. Erwin Lim, Melanie Ng, Loreli Po, Atty. Karen Quiñanola-Gonzales, Lt. Sr. Grade Jim Alagao, and Johnny Kiener.

More power to all of you! (FREEMAN)