2017 GTAA Announcement

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Part 1 of a letter from Chito Yorro of TALAMAK:

Gentlemen –

In behalf of the host club (Talamak), I intend to call another meeting of the  club presidents and/or representatives of the different participating clubs sometime end of this month (or early next month) to discuss further certain issues, among them, the following:

  • Selection of GTA Interleague logo (so far, I already have sample logos submitted by Philcan, BGAT and Talamak; those who haven’t submitted yet, kindly send one or two logo productions as early as possible).  We need to agree on the official logo, as we will have to inscribe it to the trophies and other tournament materials that will be produced. 
  • Submission of initial head count of participants. We need this initial info so we’ll  have a basic idea as to how many golf shirts should be ordered.  We will also be bringing samples of shirts for the purpose of determining the correct size counts, e.g. S, M, L, XL.  As well, depending on the availability of shirt colors, the club colors previously chosen by the different organizations might have to change, i.e. BGAT’s pink isn’t available in some of the shirt styles we’re looking at, hence, we might have to assign a different shade for BGAT.
  • Clarification of tournament rules regarding Class D or Seniors.  Some quarters are saying that we don’t need to have a ‘Seniors’ class anymore, and instead simply revert to the previous format wherein the total number of participants are divided into 4 classes (A, B, C & D).  This format is easier to manage and probably more equitable.  However, if the group  decides to still go by Class A, B, C & Seniors, we need clarification as to what handicaps will be applied to the Seniors?  Likewise, there is a concern that the Seniors class might not attract an equal number of players (compared to A, B & C) considering that any player with age 60 or over is not automatically included in the Seniors class as said player will have the option to play in A, B or C tier.  I guess we just need to revisit this issue again.
  • Other new or old matters that may be brought up by the participating clubs.

Off hand, I’m thinking of either May 31 or April 7 as our probable meeting date.  Let me know of your availability, please.

 Thanks.

 Chito

Part 2 of a letter from Chito Yorro of TALAMAK:

Recap of matters discussed at the 8th GTA Interleague Golf executive planning meeting last Friday, Jan. 13, at Casa Manila:

  1. Attendees were:
    1. From Talamak – Chito Yorro, Boyet Bautista, Charlie Schlobohm, Rene Nacin, Aldrin Balbas, Billy Salonga, Charlie Guyo, Jowie Jucal & Raffy Policarpio
    2. From PhilCan – Junn Siao & Romy Lat
    3. From BGAT – Leo Abanilla & Caesar Concina
    4. From SOGA – Joe Paule
    5. From Sierra – Mikee Montilla
  2. Host Talamak presented its plan to hold this year’s game at the Remington Parkview golf course on Saturday, June 17, 2017 .  Initial objections were raised by the other participating clubs, citing as reason, among others, the perceived inferior quality of the course which could possibly lead to  the reluctance of some of their members in joining the tournament.  Talamak countered that it would be willing to accept the risk of getting less participation from other clubs this year, while at the same time assuring a great experience for those who will join. 
  3. Participation fee will remain at $120 per golfer(inclusive of the $15 Nassau) ; proceeds to cover the cost of the green fee, dinner & snacks, prizes, trophies and cash awards.  Deadline for registration & payment of fees will be announced later. 
  4. To ensure early completion of the tournament, game will have a shotgun start of 11 a.m.  Players’ registration will begin at 9 a.m.
  5. Existing game rules and format of prior years’ games  will continue to  be observed, except for the following changes:
    1. Participants will now  be grouped into either Class A, B, C and Seniors.  There will be no more Class D.
    2. Players in the “Seniors” group are those who are, or will be, 60 years old in 2017;  however, a participant  aged 60 or over may opt to NOT be included in the Seniors group but instead play under any of the Class A, B or C groups, depending on his/her established handicap
    3. Class A, B & C players will tee off at the Blue tees;  Seniors will tee off at the White tees;  lady golfers at the Red tees
    4. The so-called “gimme” rule, wherein any ball that is inside the 1-foot radius circle around the pin will no longer be putted in but will instead be considered a “gimme” (1-stroke count).  Host club will ensure that all the holes are circled  with the 1-foot radius white mark.
  6. In the future, the GTA executive committee suggested that tournaments should be played at courses with slope rating of no lower than 125. 
  7. Talamak brought up the idea of sharing with the GTA Interleague its concept of sponsorship solicitation from corporate partners as a means to help fund some of the tournament expenses.  Specifically, the host club disclosed that its main partner, LBC Express Inc., had agreed to become the major sponsor of Talamak Club in its hosting of the GTA Interleague tournament this year.  As lead sponsor, LBC will provide free golf shirts and golf balls to ALL the tournament players of club participants.  In exchange, LBC Express would request for  brand and product exposure during the entire planning and execution stages of the tournament, and an assurance of at least a minor sponsorship in the GTA Interleague’s next tournament.
  8. The committee accepted LBC Express’ sponsorship offer this year.  Furthermore, the committee expressed its desire to make LBC Express, Inc. as  the GTA  interleague Golf’s major sponsor for the coming years.  Efforts will be made to touch base with Raffy Policarpio, LBC Country Head, in order that the terms of LBC’s engagement as lead sponsor of  future GTA Interleague games may be properly  discussed and agreed on.  If said major sponsorship deal pushes through, a new roving LBC Cup will be ordered to replace the former Gemini Cup (normally awarded to the winning team.
  9. For this year’s tournament, the following club colors were decided upon:
    1. Talamak – Red;  white is the club’s 2nd option
    2. PhilCan – Purple;  yellow is the club’s  2nd option
    3. BGAT – Pink (preference is baby pink or salmon pink)
    4. Sierra – Green (possibly light green)
    5. SOGA – Blue
  10.   The participation of players from Windsor will be known once a response is received.  To qualify as a club participant, the golf club has to field a minimum of 12 players.
  11. Proposals were made to have a standard logo for the GTA Interleague Golf.  This logo can then be imprinted on banners, advertising materials, trophies and such other paraphernalia that could help create a true identity for the group.  The different clubs agreed to submit its own suggested design at the next planning meeting, after which the Executive Committee will decide on which logo to be adopted.  Note:  The logo design must be presented in a minimum of 2” x 2” graphic, colored presentation, and should carry the words “GTA Interleague Golf”.
  12. Another proposal to select just one golf course as the GTA’s permanent tournament venue was likewise tabled. No decision was arrived at, hence this matter would again be tabled and resolved at the next meeting.  Meantime, each club was asked to submit by then the name of  a golf course of its choice so that a particular course can be voted upon, if in case the excom decides to have a permanent venue.
  13. To build the hype up for this forthcoming 2017 GTA Interleague Golf tournament, as well as to provide brand and products exposure to the major and minor sponsors of this prestigious event, a news write-up and photos of this meeting will be published in the local newsprints.  Watch out for details of the news release and publication.
  14. Another executive  meeting, preferably by end of February, will again be scheduled.  Exact date and time  will be announced in due time. 

15.   Meeting ended at 9:00 p.m.