Hooked again, no it was a slice

While I moved between my desk and the small 14-inch TV set in one corner of the office last Sunday to catch a glimpse of the World Pool Championships final match, I could not help but feel happy to see Ronato Alcano set the pace against Ralf Souquet.

When Alcano knocked in the 9-ball on the 28th rack the eight or so of us huddled around the small TV set jubilated and felt proud to be Filipinos.

Although Alcano is no stranger to the big league, that was his first major shot at stardom. However, there is still much to achieve for him to match the status that stars like Bata Reyes and Django Bustamante.

Nevertheless, Alcano now has a claim to fame that nobody can take away from him. He's a world champion and we're really happy and relieved to see him win.

Go Pinoy!

* * *

How can a place you call your home look so familiar, yet so strange?

I felt that way last Saturday when I found a good reason to again head to Alta Vista Golf and Country Club and shake off the dust and rust from my golf clubs.

It wasn't part of my secret practice for the 5th La Salle-Ateneo Golf Tournament happening next week, even if I was with Cholo Verches, who will also be playing for the La Salle side.

We were actually entertaining a common classmate, Maj. Ignatius 'Bong' Patrimonio, and maybe the way I played did look a little amusing if not disheartening. Bong and I haven't seen each other since I headed back home to Cebu while we were plebes in Baguio City a little over 19 years ago.

I haven't been on the course since The View Invitational last June. Although I still manage to regularly go up the hills of Pardo for the many other reasons to go to AVGCC particularly the food and the meetings, the course has been more just a wonderful sight from the clubhouse.

There were many things missing last weekend and most obvious was my swing.

When I think of home, I associate it with feeling comfortable and being what you are. It means knowing where to go and feeling relaxed about being there.

Well I was comfortable being back home after months of absence, but relaxed I wasn't. Although familiar friendly faces like those of lawyers Mat Jo and Tito Pintor, Cebu's Omega man, greeted me at the first tee, there was just something very bothering while I waited to hit my tee shot.

Then, scenes of tee shots gone awry started playing in mind. I suddenly had visions of drives that looked great off the tee, but suddenly fading or drawing to end up in an area out of bounds.

When I teed up, I felt lost. As scared of the ravine, which was just 140 yards to carry, as of upperclassmen from military school rushing to the new plebes during the reception rites.

I choked big time and dunked my first shot into the ravine where I have already sent scores of balls into oblivion or maybe recycling as they get sold as "experienced balls." A few minutes later, I teed up for a third shot. Darn... it was the same result.

I'd say I have a high tolerance for pain...er...heartaches and I decided to finish the round and I surely felt lighter after 18 holes. Lighter since there were only a few balls left in my bag from the more than a dozen that I brought with me like a true Boy Scout ready for any eventuality. In simpler terms, I was sure I'd lose so much balls so I made sure I was well stocked.

It has been 11 years since I decided to whack golf balls using clubs and not anything else. There were times when shots felt so good while in most times, not only the shots looked bad, but I also felt inferior.

Why am I raring to go back and play again? The golf bug must have bitten me again last weekend. Am I hooked again? Yes, but I am a "slicer" not a "hooker."