Sporting fathers

Many fathers play the key role why their kids are into sports. Since dads and sports are often equated like in my family, the fathers are the main influence why kids play a particular event and not something else.

In recent years, this has however changed and we now see kids playing sports that their dads probably never had a chance to try when they were younger.

I have many close friends who spend a lot of time with their children despite their very hectic schedule. These dads provide more than just the financial support for their children, but are also the morale boosters during games and training.

Some of them are top executives in the companies they work for. Some own their businesses and have a few hundred employees under them.

When they play golf, they have caddies to tote their bags and umbrella girls to make sure that the harmful rays of the sun would not ruin their complexion.

Some have drivers who are at their beck and call and servants at home to bring them water or anything else that they might need during meals. Some are tough guys who never allowed anybody to bully them as kids.

However, when these dads are at the sporting arena watching their children play, they assume a totally different role that makes not only their wives love hem more, but endears them to children also.

When their kids are playing, they drive them to the game. They carry the huge water coolers and picnic baskets, even the folding chairs and umbrellas.

They take their kid's picture while he or she is playing. They make sure they are comfortable in between games and provide them with the needed equipment to play the game sometimes having to go to second hand shops or surplus stores to find them.

Dads have taken a new role with more kids now into sports and I'm sure they also love it. This is he reason why many dads have also returned to playing the sport they used to enjoy when they were younger or have tried a new one. This time, it is the kid influencing the parent on his sport.

To all dads, papas, tatays, and however you are all called - Happy Father's Day! It's our day tomorrow, so if your wives will allow it or if you are brave enough to ask, tell them you'll do the laundry next weekend. Hehehe…

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The View Invitational at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club had a wet tee off Thursday with the people playing in the morning coming home drenched from the slow but steady downpour that seemed to have just been there while we were playing.

I was supposed to tee off with another group, but was asked by Tito Rolly Santos to start playing earlier and join two guys, who wore clothes similar to my khaki pants and plain white shirt.

It was a request I could not say no to. I obliged and definitely had lots of fun joining two old friends for a round of golf for the first time.

Though our games were really not something worth remembering, Gilbert Suribas of Granstar Motors, a good friend since high school, and Junrey Pelayo, who I once practiced judo with during our college days, were company to keep during the rain.

It was not because they had huge umbrellas to keep us dry, but as we laughed our way around 18 holes, I realized that the reason why this event is being held was exactly what we were doing - having fun with fellow club members and guests.

There will be two more days for The View Invitational and I'm sure there will be more rain, oops, fun coming our way this weekend.

With the handicap that I am forced to play with after three months of absence, enjoying the game now takes more than just making it to the green in regulation. One needs an understanding company that can laugh with you like they really think you were just joking when you hit such a lousy shot.