The lure of golf

Tiger Woods is the idol of millions because of his ability to play golf, his being the world’s first billion dollar athlete, his overcoming the racial barrier, his beautiful wife, and a whole lot more.

Now, Tiger is also the idol of many for his many women hehehe…

Joking aside, the issues hounding Tiger may not hurt his golf skills not his endorsements (at least not yet), but it takes much from his image as a doting husband and a wonderful dad.

He can always claim that nobody’s perfect. Yes, even the best golfers miss short putts, skull a bunker shot or maybe whiff a drive.

There have been a lot of people who we thought were so straight, but had many skeletons hidden in their closets. The skeletons in Tiger’s closet have been found, but the number of women claiming to have an affair with him might be as bloated as a sandbagger’s handicap.

Let’s see where it goes from here, but to the Tiger fans, we’d like to see him roar again. On the golf course, that is.

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Despite the controversy hounding the world’s greatest golfer, this will not stop people from picking up the game and trying to convert others.

Unlike in the past, golf has become more accessible to even the average income earners.

In Cebu, we have one of the best public courses in the country – Mactan Island Golf Club, which has transformed from a once shunned course due to the poor conditions of its fairways to now a popular tourist destination and host of big tournaments.

We also have the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, where the share prices are not yet very prohibitive and the view from the fairways is just spectacular. The view’s so nice that you sometimes forget that you are already putting for a triple bogey.

Just don’t forget to write down the correct score even if the view carries you away.

The Cebu Country Club is one of the older courses in the country with trees that are many decades old providing players a place where you remember how golf was played many years ago.

There is also the Club Filipino in Danao City, which is a great get away, but just be careful not to make a divot on your practice swing, as the local rule will penalize you for such.

Further up north, you can also enjoy golfing in the town of Medellin, which was once known for its sugarcane plantations, but now also popular for the Mercedes Plantation Golf and Country Club.

Ed Misa, president of MPGCC, can offer you a great package if you want to play there.

Many years ago, those who want to play golf did not even have a driving range that they can just go to anytime. This probably was the reason why there used to be some people hitting balls at our soccer field at UP Cebu and also at the hills beside the Eco-Tech Center.

Now, you can head to Camp Lapu-Lapu and work on your game at the range and you can also try playing on their five-hole layout (or is it three holes?).

If you do intend to play the game or is now currently playing, make sure that you follow Tiger’s moves in the golf course and not outside.

I’ve been receiving several text messages asking me if golfers are like Tiger, but honestly I don’t really know their motive for asking hehehe…

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to my kumara Desiree ‘Cookie’ Queblatin-Chan, who turned a year older last Monday.

Belated greetings also go to Gretel Davis Oyas, fellow sports columnist Noel Villaflor, June Herrera-Chiongbian, Toni Rose McDonnel, and Arnel Embodo who all turned a year older yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to our reporter Jessica Ann Pareja, Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina, Atty. Tommy Alonso, Chona Pereyra-Escalante, and Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman.

Belated happy wedding anniversary greetings go to Mark and Caecent Magsumbol, who celebrated yesterday.

More power to all of you!