Palô: Golf for a cause

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” – A Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

Golf has a way of binding friendships, as much as it has a way of revealing character. Despite its unconquerable nature, it is one of the most addictive sports on the planet, and has probably been used to raise money more often than any other sport. It will also be the means by which the Lourdes School of Quezon City (LSQC) batch of 1969 reunites to begin giving back and paying forward. And it fits them to, well, a tee.

The idea for bringing batch ‘69 together was first broached by Boy Unson on their batch Facebook page back in 2016. He suggested they get back together to do something for the old alma mater.

“The response was very positive,” says Unson, himself an avid golfer. “They were saying ‘That’s not a bad idea!’ We started having monthly meetings soon after. More and more batchmates started giving ideas and asking how they could contribute.”

Eighteen people attended the first meeting, even though it was held in Pulilan, Bulacan. A long, lively discussion full of laughter revived many happy memories, and stoked their desire to keep the friendships going. And golf was chosen as the first tool to raise funds for their various charities. 

Thus was born “Palo: the 69ers golf series” which launches at the fabled Wack Wack Golf and Country Club on Thursday. Registration starts at 7 a.m. The tournament is open to the public. Tickets are P3,500 inclusive of green fees, lunch and giveaways, but do not include caddies or golf carts. 

So how does one handicap an open golf tournament where regular golfers play against those who just want a walk in fresh air, where many players don’t play often enough to have a handicap? The 69ers had a stroke of genius.

“We will be using the Double Peoria Handicapping System,” smiles organizer and batch member Gary Cayton. “This means you don’t know which holes will count, so you have to figure out how to make your score for each hole good.”

In layman’s terms, in the Peoria system, six special holes are selected (in this case after the tournament). Ideally, they should be a par 3, par 4 and par 5 from each of the front and back nines. On each of those holes, the amounts over or under par (with a maximum of double bogey) are added and multiplied by three. This becomes the player’s handicap just for the event. Double Peoria means twice as many holes (12) will be selected, so only the scores of six holes will remain as they are. Organizers will explain all the special rules to participants.

Cayton has vast experience in sports, as he conceptualized the original Padyak Pinoy bicycle race, and had the idea for the prestigious Le Tour de Filipinas, the rare international race recognized by Le Tour de France which draws dozens of foreign cyclists to the country every year.

With the support of LSQC Alumni Association, the 69ers hope to jumpstart a flurry of activities that will raise money for various charitable and socio-civic projects. They’re drawing up other sports projects and entertainment programs in the spirit of St. Francis, whose prayer they reverently recited every day in their formative years.

Besides, does anyone really need an excuse to play golf?

Interested sponsors or participants may call 234-3401 or e-mail [email protected].