Taking a new role in Fil-Am

Baguio has by far been on the top of my list when it comes to favorite destinations away from Manila. Perhaps it’s because it is in this little town that I spent all of my summer vacations with my family as a child.

As I made a trip up last week for the Fil-Am golf tournament, wonderful memories came back to me so vividly. The Baguio Country Club, Camp John Hay Club, the old favorite restaurants, the cool mountain air, and even the scent of the pine trees–though not as distinct as in my childhood days–brought back memories of this beautiful place.

As I got older and played for the Canlubang golf team, I always looked forward to our team’s participation in the Fil-Am golf tournament. The venues are always the Baguio Country Club and John Hay Golf Club. I still enjoy myself every time I play them despite the fact that they have gone through major facelifts and no longer resemble what they looked like in the past.

As I saw familiar faces – like those of old caddies I knew, I was assured that the feeling of warmth for certain people and places in our life actually stays with us forever.

However, this year’s Fil-Am was quite a different experience for me. Though there have been years when our captain refrained from sending a team for very valid reasons, whenever they did, I was always in the line-up. This was the first year I chose not to participate in the event to give a chance for other players with potential to gain exposure and experience. And believe you me, it was one of the most enjoyable times I have had in Baguio for this yearly tournament.

I found myself truly enjoying every moment of being part of the gallery. I was able to watch the boys struggle through every putt made or missed. I stood as a witness and shared their joy every time a good shot was executed or struggled with them as they tried to recover from a previous bad hole.

Save for the new team members who are part of the training pool of the National Caddies Training Program and who joined the team only this year, I practically saw these guys grow up! You can say that most of them are actually young enough to be my sons.

As for the newest members of the team — whom I met less than a year ago but got to see them play weekly in Calatagan — I must say that they truly made me proud.

Being first timers in a team event, they surprisingly held their own.

It certainly matters how you play on a day-to-day basis, but the true test of your mettle is when you play in a major tournament as part of a team. The pressure on every member to contribute to the team’s daily score is indescribable.

Both our teams swept the championship for the second year in a row.

And believe me when I tell you that this could possibly just the beginning.

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Incidentally, during my stay there last week, I discovered another reason to return next year. You must try the Japanese restaurant at the BCC where the food and service are more than exceptional.