Pacquiao plays for fun, charity

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao took a swing with a golf club at Wack Wack’s fabled east course yesterday then ended up signing boxing gloves for a charitable cause.

The 33-year-old congressman showed up late for his 7:30 a.m. tee time but made up for it by staying much longer than he was supposed to.

Pacquiao was joined in his flight by the great Frankie Miñoza and his golf buddies Eric Pineda, Jake Joson and Lito Camo. They teed off on hole No. 1.

It was a shaky start for the world-famous boxer who hadn’t played golf for three months. But he had so much fun playing the sport he loves so much.

He didn’t keep score.

There was so much banter during the round as Pacquiao’s buddies played their own money game. Miñoza joined the fun and shared the laughter a few times.

“Pustahan sila eh. Pero hindi ako sumali,” said Pacquiao, who had given up gambling since he got hooked on Bible studies since late last year.

After the round, Pacquiao graced the awarding ceremonies for yesterday’s Pro-Am event. He was joined in the table by Wack Wack president Philip Ella Juico.

Then Pacquiao signed the boxing gloves, perhaps a hundred of them. It was part of a mini-auction that raised a total of P106,000 (roughly $2,500) for the benefit of the Typhoon Sendong victims.

Pacquiao hit some remarkable shots during the round, and on No. 13 he hit a perfect approach from 85 yards, with a wedge, for a bogey on the difficult 490-yard par-five.

“Nakita mo ‘yun (Did you see that)?” he asked.

Pacquiao caught the eye of Miñoza’s long-time swing coach and mentor, Roger Retuerto, who said with a little fine-tuning, the boxing icon will be a much better player.

“Just a little more shoulder movement,” said Retuerto. “He can hit the shot and he’s strong. As you can see, he’s playing safe, and not going for the full swing.”

Pacquiao hit a line drive to the left on No. 15, toward the direction of his bodyguards standing underneath a tree. They all scampered for safety.

“Para sa inyo talaga ‘yan (That one’s for you),” Pacquiao shouted at them, eliciting laughter from those around him.

Pacquiao found the green on the 186-yard, par-3 No. 16 with his four-iron, and drew a wild applause from his fellow players and caddies.

“Disgrasya na kayo (You’re doomed),” he blurted as the ball sailed through the air. But he was faced with a difficult side-hill putt and settled for another bogey.

It was getting too hot out on the course, a little past noon, when Pacquiao decided to call it a day.

“Masyado na mainit. And I need to be in Congress. I have a meeting. Let’s cut this short,” Pacquiao said in Filipino.

“See you tomorrow. Laro ulit tayo,” he closed.