We're all here in Cagayan

Cagayan de Oro City - I got a pleasant surprise yesterday morning when I received a call from my buddy Roger Guarin, who I rarely see in Cebu nowadays.

Roger is one of those responsible for getting me into golf, short of forcing me to pick up clubs and whack at balls almost 12 years ago. I still whack at balls until today, but Roger had given up on golf several years ago, but I believe it is just something temporary.

He is here in this center of business and education of Northern Mindanao carrying the line of products from DOMECQ 1820, Martell Cognac, Chivas Regal, and Carlos I aside from Kahlua, Ballantines Scotch Whiskey, Malibu, Stolichnaya Vodka, and Jacob's Creek Australian Wines.

One good thing about Roger coming here is that it gives us a chance to once again bond with old friends like Pareng Al Mendoza the sports and motoring editor of the Philippine Chronicle and golf rulesman Pareng Jake Ayson.

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The crew, or should I say the big boss, of Y101-FM Cebu blew into town yesterday to cover the 60th Philippine Airlines Interclub Tournament.

No less than Martha Tuason is here to do the coverage with John Magat to give the worldwide audience of their station, which is streaming live on high definition over the Internet, the updates about the tournament.

Y101 is also supporting the bid of Cebu Country Club for a sixth title in seven years for the Founders Division.

Martha's better half, Joseph Stevens is also one of the key players of CCC.

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There was something that Joseph did yesterday which should serve as a good example to those playing golf.

He penalized himself on hole No. 3 when he grounded his club inside the hazard while doing a practice swing.

Joseph said that nobody even saw him, but he assessed himself the penalty anyway.

This is something for the young guys to learn from, Joseph said. Well, I believe many of the older golfers can also learn to do the same.

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Teams in the PAL Interclub used to bring in five players for the first two days then field the next five for the final two rounds. Things have changed the past few years as teams are now more focused on strategy rather than saving a few thousand pesos from hotel accommodations and food.

Even the Cebu teams - Alta Vista, CCC, Club Filipino, and Mactan - are trying to adapt to the changes in the strategies.

Club Filipino, which missed the tournament last year, is now competing in the Championship class. The team, according to my good friend Kenneth Dyguani is hoping to prove something despite being in that tough spot.

Alta Vista is also serious about strategies and when I bumped into the first team the other day and yesterday, you can see seriousness written all over the faces of Victor Gocela, Emir Abutazil, Ad Acain, Alex Kim, and even the ever-smiling Wendel Yap.

Cebu Country Club has always been a serious contender. It is no surprise that the team has been holed out at the house of top Filipino pro Frankie Miñoza in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon under the watchful eyes of skipper Montito Garcia.

Retired General Rodante Joya of Mactan Island Golf Club told me the other day that the team is bent on pursuing honors as a whole unit rather than individually.

I surely hope to see the Cebu teams bring home the beautiful trophies on Saturday night's awards ceremony.

I'd like to spend more time inside the comfort of the press center, but then it seems that it would be a lot nicer to be out at the golf course and watch the action up close.