Starting them young

Cagayan de Oro City – It was a wet third day of the 64th Philippine Airlines Interclub played here and in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, but no matter how much water the skies have poured, the spirits of the three contending teams remain high.

I was at the Del Monte Golf and Country Club when the rain started to pour and while rushing back to their cozy clubhouse to treat myself to a roast beef sandwich, I heard some of the participants saying that it wasn’t fun anymore because of the rain.

In contrast, the rain did not seem to bother the players of Del Monte, Canlubang, and Cebu Country Club, who are the three contenders for the title of this year’s tournament.

Another thing that is very noteworthy is the age of the players. When I started covering the event back in 1994, there were very few young guys in the tournament. In fact, it was a surprise to see teenagers in the teams. Now, you have kids, who are barely in their teens, not only playing, but leading their teams in terms of scoring.

Cebu Country Club has the tandem of 15-year-old Gio Gandionco and 16-year-old Lloyd Jefferson Go.

Alta Vista has David Park and Dominic Espinoza, who are both 16 years old and they also contributed immensely to the team.

Pre-tournament title favorite Canlubang has two 13-year-old players, Gabriel Manotoc and Rupert Zaragosa.

These very young boys prove how strong the junior golf program of our country is and I really hope to see them turn professional one of these years and bring honor to our country.

The Philippines had many big names in junior golf in the past, but unfortunately their success in the junior ranks didn’t go with them as they grew older and turned professional.

I don’t want to see the same thing happen to this recent crop of junior stars and I am happy to see them play at a very high level in the annual Philippine Airlines Interclub.

Of course, just this one tournament every year would not be enough and I hope to see these young men hone their skills further in other events all throughout the year.

Victor Gocela and Nestor Mendoza, who were also at Del Monte earlier, said that they are hoping to field younger players in future tournaments.

Cebu Country Club also has that commitment and I believe that if this will continue, there would be more young players who would be encouraged to pick up the game and hopefully become professionals some day.

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Baseball enthusiasts in the Philippines will have the rare chance to learn from one of the stars of the game, Ken Griffey Jr., who is due to visit the country on March 1 to 4.

Cebu will be hosting the clinic on March 3 and 4 at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Ken will be joined by two former Major League Baseball players.

Those interested to join can contact Jesse Bernad of Fastball Sportsventure at 0917-3222284.

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The 1st Security Practitioners Shootfest will be held tomorrow at the NS Outdoor Firing Range in Tawason, Mandaue City.

This is open to all and entry fee is only P500, which also includes lunch for the participant.

Members of the organizing Philippine Society of Industrial Security (PSIS)-7 are also enjoined to attend and if you are not taking part in the shootfest, registration is only P200, which covers lunch as this would also be the graduation rites for CSP class 165 and the induction of the officers of PSIS-7.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to my mistah Jonathan ‘Buboy’ Caballes, Chuchay Streegan-Verches, Joana Fajardo-Salazar, Michelle Dominique Sanchez, James Boyles, and Cebuano Wack-Wack player Hubert Lim.

Advance greetings go to Atty. Joe Palma, who turns a year older tomorrow.

Congratulations to my fellow officers of PSIS-7 led by Atty. Michelle Mendez-Palmares, who will be inducted tomorrow. I think I will miss that event as I am still on an out-of-town coverage.

More power to all of you!