Losing balls

Cebu - How many balls do you usually lose in a round of golf?

Me, well I can usually count them with the fingers in one hand (for nine holes said one of my friends), but on bad times, I need both hands and my feet too.

This does not of course happen in all courses, but unfortunately in the golf course that I call home – Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, I’d be happy to make it through the scary first hole with the same ball I first teed off with.

But, do you know that an average golfer loses two balls per round? That is according to Golf World Magazine. Does that mean I am above average then? Hehehe…

The same magazine said that the worldwide total is approximately 2,465,753. Let me spell it out – two million four hundred sixty five thousand seven hundred fifty three and that is daily.

This makes a good business for the “experienced balls” (not exactly the politically correct term for used balls) sellers, but then if we talk brand new, the companies making golf balls are actually producing enough to really allow us duffers to lose those over two million balls on a daily basis.

Titleist reportedly makes 1.2 million balls per day and that’s one company alone.

If I play golf everyday, would this bring up the worldwide average? 

I guess it’s a wise move not to stray into the golf course that often. It doesn’t only save me golf balls, but also makes me a happier person.

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Sports is a great way to bond not only with your teammates and fellow enthusiasts of the game, but also your family, co-workers, colleagues in the industry, and your former classmates.

With more people becoming health conscious, get-togethers are not anymore limited to having drinks and eating lots of food. 

We did so much of that during the holidays that many are now looking for new ways to have fun and hook up with people dear to them.

Last Saturday, my classmates from high school did something different and it seems that the idea gives the people more interest to join our activities. We went to the Sphinx-7 Firing Range inside Camp Lapu-Lapu and those who are not into guns got some firearms training.

Well, the boys from our class used to do this, but not too often, but last weekend, even the girls were there and now they’re looking forward to the next time and the next sport.

This is also what the members of the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) are doing.

The sporting experience gives people something new to look forward to and it also allows the members of the group to loosen up and de-stress.

Try doing this with your classmates or maybe with your drinking buddies. But there’s one thing you should always bear in mind – safety is a top priority. 

So, before you engage in heavy activities, make sure you are fit enough to do so and you use the right equipment.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to my brother-in-law Michael Addinton, who turned a year older last Sunday.

Belated greetings also go to my aunt Minda A. Lebumfacil and to my good friend Monina Blanco, who both celebrated last Monday. Another aunt, although she is so much younger than I am, Tracy Marie Rada, also turned a year older yesterday along with my buddy Roger Guarin.

Happy birthday greetings go to top golfer Mark Dy and to my mistah Miguel Okol, who are celebrating today. More power to all of you! – THE FREEMAN