A grand one for Amo

I’m still groggy from the weekend.

The 19th Business in Golf, the 5th Amo Cup, the Euro quarterfinals, and the European Grand Prix occupied my weekend.

I wish I will soon get the opportunity to watch a Formula-1 race live in Europe as I already had a chance to watch the Malaysian GP several years ago.

I also dream of someday watching live games of the European Football Championships or the Euro.

What I am able to do, however, I made sure to be there and make the most of the experience.

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I already wrote about the BiG, which is a tournament that I have covered since its first staging. It came out in my column last Saturday, so let me proceed with the rest of the weekend.

The 5th Amo Cup was played last Saturday and Sunday at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

Although it rained hard last Saturday interrupting play, the weather was very fine last Sunday and the tournament drew a total of 297 players.

This is a little more than last year’s field of 290 and the organizers are excited to draw even more entries for next year’s event.

Amo is our term of endearment for the late Albino D. Gothong, who was not only our group’s leader and Tatay (father), but also a very generous man, who touched so many lives not only that of the golfers, who he loved to pamper with great giveaways and lavish raffle prizes.

Amo is a legend when it came to philanthropy as he was somebody who was always willing to help those in need. I remember those calls that he’d make to ask me to send a collector from The Freeman Foundation to pick-up his contribution for patients, who seek help from us.

He would always remind me to keep it anonymous, but I guess he won’t mind me writing about it now that he has passed on.

The tournament held in his honor was a success and I am not saying that being a member of the organizing committee, but based on the words of the participants themselves.

It will be a tough act to match or top this event next year, but I’m sure the committee will work extra hard in memory of the man, who helped Cebu golf become what it is today.

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The European Football Championships or Euro 2012 is down to four teams.

The first semifinal match pits Spain against Portugal while the second one will be between Germany and Italy.

My picks are Spain and Germany, but do brace for a very exciting action as the results could go the other way.

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MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to Freddie Salimbangon, Elissa Lawas-Yntig, Asila Malasarte, Marvin Soco, Don Duero, Joanne de Letran-Duda, Jamie Peralta-Villarin, and Gil Biscocho, who turned a year older last Monday.

The same goes to my classmate Ma. Carmela Costales and fellow judoka Ahra Cabalquinto, who celebrated yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to Eve Lyn Espiritu, Chris Sagun, my mistah Lt. Col. Lenart Lelina, Sr. Supt. Anthony Obenza, Alfred Rollan, and Balamban Councilor Dave John Karamihan.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN