A 15 mph wind made for a very chilly day with temperatures in the 12 degrees, but it was not nearly as bad as the forecast on what  was supposed to be a wet, gray day like the days before last Sunday. Feared not though, if you were looking for a lot cooler temps it did not happen last weekend but the scenic escape, none was better than traditional aerials of golf’s landscape at the Kingsforest golf course. If you really love golf, you also understand the game struggles to grow beyond its niche without worrying about weather conditions as long as you are well prepared whatever circumstance may prevail. A myriad of players still remained in the hunt after the last GAME of the season. Playing or not, what else to watch for in this Sunday’s to set you up for what should be a big boy weekend of golf. So much at stake, we all knew it. Pressure in its eminence, the margins were small, and the variables were big.

It maybe not to a golf pro’s degree but SGC’s POY is the ultimate measure of personal gratification and merit. Something to brag about when it comes to questions like “Have you ever won anything?” Winning the POY is the pinnacle. Who is the Player of the Year? By the numbers, by the money, by consistency, by any fair measure of the whole season, the player who has a better summer season than anyone else. What that means is when you get a chance to win, you better take it because it doesn’t happen all that often. The calm and measured way Jojo Dizon went about playing his golf this year, Jojo entered every weekend in contention again and again that was where the story began. He had occupied that spot for the better part of a year. Yes, but ultimately, it was the finish that mattered and that was what Jojo Dizon did in great fashion by finishing his great quest winning the POY award. I asked him what made the difference for his accomplishment and this was what he said:

“All I can say is I would like to thank Jimmy M. and Manny C. for teaching me on my golf swing (I owe it to them) before the season started especially Jimmy for having the patience; he didn’t give up on me and also for the whole Sierra golf Club”.

Well said, indeed.

Another award of the year no doubt could serve as SGC golfing highlight of some significance is the Senior POY. We all do get old, do we not? Even in their twilights, these senior members are sure to have more than a few flashes of brilliance left in them. It was truly amazing, and a privilege to witness at the highest level of golf being seen in a different light. Even though not everyone could win, SGC would like to thank all the seniors who entered and participated in this contest. Way to go seniors!  The best intentions don’t always equal the best actions. Take for instance the case of one cast away member from years ago who came back and joined SGC this year. He was told that he was going to go through SGC’s new member handicapping process first to get officially tagged of his official personal handicap. Knowing that his first games were all throw away, he still entered the Senior POY contest without hesitation. Guess what? Ricky Reyes staged a good platform, self-belief, and good timing that couldn’t have been better, paid immediate dividends by winning the Senior POY.

Food for thought: We are all proud to reach out for the unfortunate people that got hit in the southern Philippines by the devastating typhoon last year. Members were quite fast enough to react and donated humanitarian aid to those affected by the typhoon. Thanks to all who donated. I cannot forget bragging this SGC’s modest feat to my classmates and friends from back home and in North America. SGC is not just a golf club, thank you very much.

Thanks to all SGC volunteers for the hard work and contributions who made this year another successful year. You know who you are.

Congratulations to all winners.

And we were then, as we are now.

Have a safe winter. Goodbye to everyone.