US, China engage in golf diplomacy

CANLUBANG ,Philippines  – The brewing Spratlys issue was definitely not on the menu.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao and US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. yesterday hit the ceremonial tee shots one after the other at the Canlubang north course.

They shook hands and spoke briefly, but soon parted ways and joined their respective flights for the second US Independence Day Charity Golf tournament.

Thomas was joined in his flight by the cigar-chomping Fidel Ramos, the former president, and local businessmen Antonio Olbes and Benny Chua.

Liu was joined by Japanese Ambassador Toschinao Urabe and two others, a couple of flights behind.

Thomas looked so busy trying to improve on his game, throwing his massive weight behind every shot. He did hit some good ones, and lost the handle on some.

It was all golf for the US ambassador. No politics. No Spratlys.

His female caddie was surprised to learn that Thomas speaks a little Filipino, dropping one-liners like, “Boracay ba?” after his ball landed in one of the sand traps.

He was referring to the island paradise known for its powdery white sand. When on the green, he would ask his caddie about the condition. “Mabilis? Konti?”

After Thomas hit his ceremonial drive, someone shouted, “Two-hundred-sixty-five yards!” and Thomas said in a snap, “It’s not jabong (in the water hazard).”

And in one of the tee houses, Thomas came up to the course staff, and asked for “tubig na may yelo (iced water).”

Thomas looked every inch the day’s host. Even before hitting the ceremonial tee-off, he greeted friends, old ones and new ones, and often called them by their first names.

It seemed like he knew everybody.

When Robert Trent Jones Jr., the legendary golf course designer, was introduced to him, the burly diplomat said, “I’m a great admirer.”

And when someone tried to introduce Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco to him, Thomas quipped, “Yes, of course, he’s my school mate.”

Cojuangco later confirmed that he and Thomas went to the College of Holy Cross in West Massachusetts together, but it was “a very long time ago.”

Thomas thanked Ramos for coming out despite the morning drizzle.

At one point, they must have shared a joke as Thomas gave Ramos a soft jab to the mid-section.

But during one exchange, Ramos said, looking at Thomas, “He’s too friendly with the Chinese. Even in golf. Well, I’m retired now, I can say what I want to say.”

The US ambassador walked the entire course, and only smiled when asked why he didn’t want to use his cart. He had two bodyguards on hand the entire round.

When he missed a long putt by an inch, Thomas quipped, “You definitely know when it’s not your day.”

Well, it was his day, and it was a successful one, considering that the proceeds of the tournament will benefit the poor, through charitable institutions like the Jaycees and Gawad Kalinga.

Last year, the tournament raised over P850,000, and this year they’re looking at more than a million pesos.

“This is Philippine-American Friendship Day, and what better way to show our concern for the Filipino people by trying to help them,” said Thomas.

“We’re happy that so many people came out to this lovely golf course. So many organizations want to give back to help the less fortunate,” Thomas added.

As he walked off the green on the 18th and final hole, Thomas was asked how his round went, and he said, “Galit ako (I’m angry).”

But from his smile, he obviously didn’t mean it.