Bunkers and sports tourism

Cebu - Do you know that the average American golf course has 70 bunkers? 

That’s a lot of sandtraps to avoid or get out of. I never really counted the number of bunkers in the courses in Cebu including that of my home course, Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

I never counted them because once I see one I try my best to avoid it.

According to the Amazing But True Golf Facts, Oakmont Country Club, which is located near Pittsburgh and host of the 2007 US Open, has 210 bunkers.

The course has a 295-yard par-3, the 8th hole while is called the Sahara (the name says it all).

The most famous bunkers at this golf course are called the Church Pews, which is a long stretch of bunkers. Pro golfer Frank Nobilo was once quoted to have said that it was the only church pews in the world where you went to curse and not to pray.

I had many sad experiences in bunkers and seen many playing partners almost want to bulldoze a bunker or two.

Nothing probably beats the eight bunker shots that a fellow sportswriter from Manila had to take before he got himself out of the hazard on the closing hole of the Bacolod Golf and Country Club that transformed his ten-shot lead into a four-shot loss in a mini tournament that we held among colleagues.

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An organizer of sports events told me that he has a problem finding sponsors and might have to shelve some of his plans for the year.

Another event organizer aired the same concern, but said that he is still lucky that the sportswriters in Cebu are very supportive.

With the worldwide economic crunch, many businesses have become very selective when it comes to supporting sports events. 

One thing good about this is that we get more quality events instead of the dime-a-dozen competitions that were sprouting just about anywhere.

Today, a press conference for a Cebu Sports Tourism Forum is set at the Gustavian Restaurant along the Ma. Luisa Road. This is organized by my good friend Charles Lim of Selrahco, who did a similar event recently in Cagayan de Oro City, which I attended.

Sports can definitely attract visitors. Cebu, which is located in the middle of the Philippine archipelago, is a very strategic venue for national sporting events.

I am hopeful that this forum will spur organizations and individuals to initiate events and would also encourage government to extend more support to such.

The past few weeks, I have been keeping in touch with Atty. Vicente E. Fernandez II, president of the Cebu Chapter of the Philippine Amateur Judo Association.

Vic said that the national leadership of the PAJA is looking at Cebu as host for the championships this school break.

He is now looking for an appropriate venue for such in the various malls of Cebu. – THE FREEMAN