Comebacking icons and golf cheats

Lance Armstrong has said that his quest for an eighth title in the Tour de France is over after a series of early stage mishaps put him several minutes behind the leaders in this race where every second counts.

Although I have been hoping to see Lance in yellow again, but that would be a remote possibility in this year’s race. Maybe he’ll give number 8 another try next year and I remain hopeful.

I also cling to hope in the Formula-1 races hoping to see Michael Schumacher win a race this season or maybe at least make it to the podium.

Time is running out, but the Schumi fans, who got so excited when he decided to return this year, are still hopeful. It would have been much better had he returned with Ferrari, but seeing him race again is a bonus enough.

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Last week, golf cheating made big news, not in the sports section, but in the main news pages of national newspapers.

I had a few interesting chats with friends from the golf community about the issue that hounded newly-installed Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez and I can’t blame those who are raising hell about his appointment.

One of the things my friends, who got me started playing golf 15 years ago, instilled in me is that you should not cheat or you will carry that to your grave.

Golf is a game for gentlemen and of course ladies and players are believed to be truthful when they declare their score after each hole is played.

In almost 20 years of covering the golf beat, I have come across many incidents of cheating and in all cases those who were caught were punished.

Many golfers say that if a man cheats in the game, then you should not do business with him, because most likely he will also cheat you.

While Alvarez admitted that he only signed the scorecard after his caddy asked him to, he forgot the basic rule of checking your scorecard before signing it.

I have played many times with friends, who are also golf rulesmen -- Jake Ayson and Al Mendoza, when we get together for the annual PAL Interclub or whenever they are in Cebu or wherever around the country that we are together for golf events.

Aside from being with two of my closest friends, playing with them also allowed me to learn several nuances of the game.

Knowing the rules does not only ensure that you avoid being branded a cheat, but also it will actually help your game.

If you cannot help but cheat by shaving a stroke or two or more, then don’t play golf because nobody would want your company.

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MILESTONES: Advance birthday greetings to Darah Marie Galicia, Rhea Mangaccat and Madame Mila Espina, who are all celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!  – THE FREEMAN