Caltex Cup Celebrity Challenge 2004

Your columnist was honored to be part of one of the biggest international celebrity golf events ever held in Asia, the annual Caltex Cup Celebrity Challenge. Singapore’s prestigious Laguna National Golf & Country Club was the venue of the star-studded tournament which raised funds to help charitable organizations including the Dr. AB Monozca Foundation.

Over 40 celebrities from eight countries, including NBA great John Havliceck of the Boston Celtics; Manchester United’s Lee Sharpe; Hong Kong star Michael Wong; South African rugby hall of famer Joe Stransky; Singapore TV actor James Lye; World Badminton champions Alan Budi Kusuma and Susi Susanti; and fashion models Hanis Hussey, Geri Cho and Michelle Saram, participated in the highly-exclusive golf event.

The colorful event owed its success to the well-organized and dependable Caltex Celebrity Challenge team of GM for Brand Worldwide Glenn Weckerlin; motoring tycoon and chairman of Laguna National Peter Kwee; Caltex Singapore chairman Leo Lonergan; Asia Pacific VP for marketing Bob Hakim; Parallel Media’s Grant Slack; Sports Inc.’s Kelsen Butler; and Dr. AB Monozca Foundation chairman Paul Monozca. The Philippine Team (we placed third) were composed of long hitters Bong Tan, Martin Valdes, Wilbert Tan and yours truly!

The opulent six-star Raffles Hotel was our home for the duration of the tournament, and we were simply spoiled no end. The glamorous awarding ceremonies, during which I received a trophy for winning the pitching competition as closest to the pin, was had the theme of Havana Nights. The VIPs who graced the prestigious affair tried their luck on baccarat tables and roulettes, witnessed the dancing prowess of ballroom dance champions and participating in a charity auction. Following the celebrity cup was the main event, the Caltex Masters, featuring leading players like Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and Michael Campbell of New Zealand.

Many congratulations and thanks to Glenn and his team of dedicated executives! Superb!

I can’t wait for next year’s tournament!

(For those who want to know more about this event, visit www.celebritygolfasia.com)