For the children

The Junior Golf Association of Southern Philippines will be launched this afternoon at the Cebu Country Club.

I learned from Opep Gandiongco, one of the most active parents, that this will be a group composed of players from the golf clubs in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

The success of this endeavor of course would lie mainly on the effort of the parents and the cooperation of the various clubs. What makes me confident that this would work is seeing that the golf clubs have also realized the importance of developing the younger players.

I have seen this in the teams competing in the annual Philippine Airlines Interclub. The Cebu teams used to be the 20 something upward types, but now we have many teenagers like Gio Gandiongco competing.

I won’t be surprised if one day, Irina Gabasa would also be there. She surely can play and even beat the guys.

Parents now show their love for their kids in many ways and one of them is taking an active role in the development of their athletic careers.

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I came across this interesting piece in Amazing But True Golf Facts. 

Sharon Stone, yes the star of Basin Instinct, played in their high school golf team in Saegertown, Pennsylvania, which did not even have a program for girls.

She made it to the boys team, but wasn’t exactly received quite well as their coach made her change in the men’s locker room and also forced her to wear the men’s golf shirts, which had holes in them.

Eventually she lost her spot in the team.

I wonder what their coach had said when her watched Basic Instinct?

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I’m off to Davao on Sunday for the PAL Interclub. This will be the 16th straight year that I am covering the event.

While I am excited to be in one of my favorite places for golf, I would be sad to miss seeing one major triumph of a very dear friend, who will be running her first race this Sunday.

Manang Me-Anne Alcordo-Solomon is taking part in the Rotary Fun Run tomorrow. What makes this something I would have wanted to witness is the fact that Manang Me-Anne is a breast cancer survivor, who continues the fight against the Big C in more ways than one by helping others who have the same ailment.

I’m sure she’d have a huge cheering squad behind her led by Manoy Tito Solomon, her very loving and supportive husband.

The battle against cancer should not be limited to those who are afflicted and those who are close family of the patients.

We can all do our share by supporting various activities to help the cause.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Atty. Albert ‘Betoy’ Yap Veloso, who turned a year older yesterday.

Advance birthday greetings go to a man who is very passionate about his family, business, and basketball, Chester Cue Cokaliong, who is turning a year older on Monday yet, but celebrated last night.

Happy birthday greetings go to my used to be long-haired buddy Michaelangelo Siapno, who turns a year older today. The same goes to Rochelle ‘Raki’ Vega-Siu, my former student (not in voice, but sportswriting), who is also celebrating today.

More power to all of you! – BANAT NEWS