It was a cooler Sunday afternoon at Kingsforest golf course. At only seventeen degrees Celsius, there were twenty-eight players uncomfortably playing in a dark cloudy day threatened with rain that did not come after all. It was a first start of two games for the Grand Finals contest. Sign in a good round and you’d be in a very good position to capture this event culminating next week. This golf course was a tough one. SGC played this venue three times this season and nobody, I meant nobody signed a net scorecard in the 60s.

Where have all the good times gone? Finally, the time has come for this cunning veteran whose endless pursuit of the good old days where he effortlessly showed everybody who was the boss on the golf course with his meticulous routine, brashness and competitiveness. He used to have the last laugh upon every completion of a round. Exe Navarette after posting the lowest net of 71 last Sunday proved that acquiring a new set of golf clubs and practicing hard enough brought back those glory days. With this unequalled performance, he won the day prize adding the Nassau back nine and total net corners as well. He also made himself a strong contender for the Grand Finals for next week’s last game of the season.

Two members – Erland Ibañez and Ed Ilao both shot an extra ordinary net of 33 thus sharing the Nassau front nine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closest to the pin contest: Bingoy Peña had a 15-footer shot on the long par 3 hole 5 that nobody else could beat. Another long par 3 hole 17 this time with a 5-iron used by Jun Paculaba who got it close to about four feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super Series 5 this Sunday. There are 21 entrants so far. This is your last chance to join. If you want to check the Grand Finals standings from the first of two games, please go to Round 24 scores.

MAJOR AWARDS UPDATES:

MIP Contest: Two weeks ago, this writer posted that the leader of this contest had an unsurmountable lead and proclaimed him as a sure winner. Unpredictably, there was a change of hands after last Sunday though. I learned my lesson to never predict a result until it is finally over. I was wrong. Very wrong. The ever devil may care Fred Halili who fired way below his handicap got past JC Montilla for the lead this time. Fred’s slim lead of 0.0084 makes this contest tight and down to the wire. Never count out Manny Marquez who is lagging close behind third place and Mike Montilla in fourth. These couple are much capable of doing the unexpected. Jimmy Manguerra still sitting precariously in fifth place.

SPOY: Joey Cruz with his record-breaking net 62 two weeks ago at Century Pines golf course still leads this contest over Bert Cerrudo by a trimmed down two strokes from four. Seho Oh trailing the leader by six strokes is in third place. There is a battle for fourth place between four players – Bingoy Peña, Mar DeVeyra, Exe Navarette, & Jun Paculaba. They are only separated by five mere strokes. Even Sennix Bontigao or Rey Plaza have a chance to catch up with them if epic failure happens to them.

POY: These two players – JC Montilla & Jimmy Manguerra are having the best season so far. Why? I’ve never seen a tight and impressive performance between two people. This is a display of high caliber repetitive routine for nine weeks ago coming down to who’s going to blink first. A mere two strokes separating these two. Mike Montilla who slowed down a bit is in third place nine points behind the leader while Joey Cruz and Bert Cerrudo are fighting for fourth & fifth place respectively with only a point difference between them followed closely by Jojo Dizon in sixth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SGC appreciates the display of sportsmanship and patience by all members and thanking you all for the support. Good luck to everyone this Sunday.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

With the final game of the season this Sunday, expect SGC to again group together the contenders for POY & SPOY. This will also include the aspirants from the first game of the GRAND FINALS (with respect to what tee box they tee off from) last Sunday.

SGC also recommends to everybody to attend the annual meeting to be held right after the last game at Bingoy’s place. We will discuss whatever topics there are for next year – golf venues, golf rules, membership, and officers to name a few. Dinner is in the offing and soft drinks but not alcoholic beverages. It is BYOB and you must drink responsibly. If you have an inkling to render a song or two, Karaoke happens after the meeting. This is not the time to be bashful, just enjoy the night and ridicule ourselves just for the fun of it.

Another SGC recommendation is for every member to attend the awards night on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 6 PM sharp. Parking is free. Stay late and enjoy dancing the night away.