Aloha……….welcome and goodbye. Goodbye to the old 2015 golf season, welcome to next year. At this year’s successful run of summer golf season, SGC still not savouring the missed ship of a few long-time members but optimistically, we hope to get them all back for an ampler presence for next year. We all missed the familiar faces in friendly competition and locker room jousting before and after every round. Finally, SGC’s last game of the season that happened at KIngsforest golf course last Sunday surprisingly greeted twenty-nine players including a guest with blessed twenty-one-degree Celsius temperature with the sun shining brightly. Yes, there was one catch – the wind played  chaos to some but no one complained about getting this kind of weather at this time of year most startlingly in mid October, mind you.

Significant Sunday: As the late Yogi Berra said, “It’s not over ‘til it’s over” merely implied to those hoping to catch up with the leaders leading to last Sunday final tally for an award. Two major awards were no last minute decision nor it became the edge of the seat excitement as we gestured admiration to the same leaders who held on to their lead winning their particular awards.

Here are our major winners:

POY 2015

Mike Montilla – Mike had the lead since early August with completed fifteen games under his belt and never relinquished it. He also won this prestigious event in 2007. Nice to have your name etched to that POY trophy the second time around. One of those players who could say “I’m an SGC multiple POY winner”. Say it Mike, loud and proud.

SENIOR POY

Rene Querubin – a come from behind winner. With changing leads at numerous times, Rene never took possession of the lead until the start of the last two rounds. A second year member who was not too sure if he could play the required number of games to qualify this year. Was he happy that he did? You bet ya’.

MIP (MOST IMPROVED PLAYER)

Manny Chea – a multiple winner of this award. Hard to resist the temptation of not mentioning the consistency of maintaining your status as a player with regards to your handicap. Swing hard and swing accurately – Manny was one member who decisively did just that. Any doubts? Try playing with him and you’d find out.

BEST GROSS SCORES (Tie)

Most golfers call this award the “Best golfer” award. Why? Handicap not needed.

Jimmy Manguerra – it was a slew of hard nose rounds that this player displayed regardless of what golf course he was playing. Low seventies. Oh sorry, did I mention a round of 69 at Royal Woodbine sometime in May? May I remind you that Jimmy won this award seven times before? How about them apples, huh?

Manny Chea – what more could we say about this player? Manny together with Jimmy are SGC’s best two players around. Needless to say, other contests such as closest to the pin, Manny was a regular winner. He did a lot better this year when he made an ace to one of those par 3s at Westview golf course. SGC had not a hole-in-one winner for quite a long time.

GRAND FINALS

Sam Kim – 화려한 선수. A diminutive power player who may surprise you a few times. Sam got the habit of saying “If you don’t want it, I’ll take it”. In a scenario of the last two games of the season, Sam withheld everybody else’s charge and took care of winning this contest.

Other awards and winners, please go to Sierra Minutes/2015 Winners.

Congratulations to the winners.

Have a healthy and enjoyable winter. Hasta la vista.

Next week is the culmination of SGC’s summer golf tournament. Another one going down the archive heaven. SGC would like to express its gratitude and thanks to all members that participated this year and for giving their support. We all hope as well to wish other members who were not able to join us this year for whatever reasons a healthy and burden free winter. See you all next year.

Sunday’s game: For a third consecutive week, Manny Chea with splendid ball striking displayed how it was done by shooting the best gross score of 73. Manny got beaten by a measly one stroke by Mike Montilla for the day’s prize. Mike who is hanging tough for the POY lead fired the lowest net of the day. These two members are the top candidates for the Player of the Year Award separated by only ten strokes with a game unaccounted for. Good luck to both and may the best man wins.

STANDINGS:

POY

POS     PLAYER                    POINTS          SCORE TO REPLACE

1          Mike Montilla             1061                74

2          Manny Chea                1071              77

3          Jimmy Manguerra       1084               77

4          JC Montilla                 1086                76

5          Rene Querubin            1089               78

SENIOR POY

POS     PLAYER                    POINTS          SCORE TO REPLACE

1          Rene Querubin            1089                78

2          Seho Oh                      1091                78

3          Joey Cruz                    1101                78

4          Bert Cerrudo               1104                78

5          Ed Peñas                     1107                81

MIP (MOST IMPROVED PLAYER)

RANK            PLAYER                    RESULTS

1                      Manny Chea                0.70

2                      Jimmy Manguerra       -2.70

3                      Ed Peñas                     -5.80

4                      Mike Montilla                -6.90

5                      Rene Querubin            -8.00

GRAND FINALS

POS     PLAYER                                NET SCORE

1          Mike    Montilla                       68

2          Manny Chea                            69

3          Paolo Ballares                         70

3          Julio     Rodriguez                   70

5          Rey Plaza                                72

6          Sennix Bontigao                     73

6          Sam     Kim                             73

6          Jimmy Manguerra                   73

9          JC Montilla                             74

9          Bong   Munson                       74

11        Eddie Ilao                               75

11        Ricky Reyes                            75

13        Lina     Mayo                           76

13        Tony    Peña                            76

Good luck to one and all.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Since it is the last day of the golf summer season next week, SGC in appreciation of the support of its members, offers a light dinner after the game. Please confirm your attendance.

Five days ago was the official start of autumn season. Time goes by fast when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? Two more weeks to SGC’s golf summer season. SGC has already achieved some of the important things it has to achieve in preparation for next year’s golf season. Most of the issues were discussed and voted on by members who attended the meeting two weeks ago. Everything is in place except of two major issues – GTAA 2016 which SGC is hosting, and 2016 golf schedule. The former’s only issue is where to get the ideal venue for that event while the issue with the latter is, who is going to do the schedule for next year. So far, no one has step forward to claim the responsibility of negotiating with various golf courses and get it done. Of all the active intelligent members that SGC has, it is still a mystery why no one volunteers. Yes sir, we need volunteers. It could be several members doing it instead of one as long as there is coordination and working as one unit. In the 2016 GTAA annual meeting, SGC will be represented by Mike Montilla, Jimmy Manguerra & Julio Rodriguez.

Sunday banter: A rare phenomena happened last Sunday at Westview golf course. Here was the scenario: Last foursome teeing off, last hole to be played – a par 3 171 uphill yards from the blue tees with previous groups congregating around the last hole watching the last foursome tee off. One member of that foursome, Manny Chea pulled a 5 iron from the bag, hit the ball that bounced off the green fringe and slowly crawled the green into the hole. An ace. Hole-in-one. Wow. Everyone who witnessed the shot jumped in jubilation. Incidentally, Manny C. also fired the lowest gross score of 76 for that day. Well done. (Pics courtesy of Julio R.)

Nassau: A wily veteran, Ricky Reyes shared the spotlight by winning the prize of the day by turning in a net score of 68. With that best low net score, what else did Ricky win, you asked? He won the overall net score and shared the back nine with Bert C. The front nine was won solo by Paolo B. hmmm not bad after returning in four weeks.

 

Closest to the pin: Middle course hole 5: Lina M.; Middle course hole 7: Rene Q.; Lakeland course hole 4: Rey P.; Lakeland course hole 9: Bong M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the winners.

Announcement: First leg of Grand Finals coming up next week. Don’t miss it.

It was a calming day last Sunday at Century Pines golf course at nineteen degrees Celsius with the sun shining briskly. Twenty-five members showed up plus three guests. With three games left, players were jockeying for positions hoping for a good performance for the day that would help their own respective causes and to propel them up there for those awards still up for grabs. Conspicuous eyes and brashness were noticeable from listless contenders vying for such awards and made it so apparent that “You snooze, you lose“ mentality was a formidable tool to rub on to the next competitor. What an impasse; but good to see competition at its best. Not recommended for those with weaker hearts.

Trending: Worthy performances of late from these members (In alphabetical order): Manny C., Jimmy M., Manny M., JC & Mike M., Dave N., Seho O., and Rene Q. Not only are these member’s participation/attendance in idyllic inspiration but showing their respect for those who are lagging behind in competitive assertiveness. The rest of the members are always in awe every time they see such performances like these in display from fellow members year after year. You may not know it but yes, we notice.

Food for thought: “You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader “ ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo, The College Blue Book.

Sunday’s banter: Every Sunday a day prize is always waiting for someone to take it with whoever is turning in the best net score. This time around a veteran member of savvy objective happens to take whatever is at stake from time to time. And yes, Sennix Bontigao took the honours of signing in the best net score of 66. With his performance, Sennix rewarded himself of making a sweep of Nassau corners contest; almost. Not bad, not bad. Meticulously lurking in the shadow of “Excuse me while I shoot a good round” was Manny Chea who fired the best gross score of the day in regularity of 75.

Nassau contest: Who else but Sennix B. He grabbed the back & total and nice enough to share the front nine prize with Joey C. and Seho O.

 

 

 

 

Closest to the pin contest:

Hole 5:   Ed I.

 

 

 

 

Hole 7:   Manny C.

Hole 13: Bingoy P.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 15: Rene Q.

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the winners.

Announcement: Results of Saturday’s SGC annual meeting to be released soon.

There is this saying, “I’ll see you in September when summer is gone.” Yes, golf season is winding down quickly.

Noticeable of late about players playing golf with sweaters on and warmer head gears. Last Sunday at Royal Woodbine golf course welcomed twenty-four players with wet pattern with seasonable low temperatures hovering around seventeen degrees Celsius and light winds thrashing coolly in everyone’s face. A perfect golf scenario for power hitters waiting for this kind of occasion to get advantage with the rest of the field.

Sunday’s performance: In reverence to power striking there was a premium of hitting it miles away. Jimmy Manguerra who took advantage of a very wet irritating day, excelled in turning in a gross score of 74. Another power striking machine – Julio Rodriguez showed the same distinction yesterday by tying Jimmy M. for the lowest net score of the day. Both players deservingly won the day prize.

Nassau corners: The two gents aforementioned – Jimmy M. & Julio R. undoubtedly grabbed the front nine and the overall net score. Not to be outdone, Bong M. uncontestably seized the back nine.

Bong M.

Sharpshooting contest: Par 3 hole 4 won by the hot hitting Julio R.; the ever accurate Mar DV got it so close by a foot on hole 7; hole 10 which was measured longer from the white tees than the blue tees was nearly aced by Rey P.; Brian K. got it closest on the longest of all par 3s on hole 14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to all winners.

Race to POY: It is still one-two punch for the ‘M’ brothers with Mike M. leading the way in first place by a good margin of nineteen points over JC M. Running third and fourth respectively separated by a meager one point are Manny C. & Jimmy M. Also separated by a point in fifth & sixth place are Manny M. & Seho O. respectively with Ed P. staying in seventh place also a point behind sixth.

Race to Senior POY: We have a new leader by a single point by the name of Seho O. over Ed P. Tagging along in third place trailing by mere three points is Joey C. It is worthwhile mentioning that in fourteen completed games, Rene Q. stands in third place – Rene for most players is one of the players to be reckoned with winning this contest because of his consistent play.

Race to MIP: Manny C. leads followed by Jimmy M. in second. Ed P. holds third place while Mike M. & Rene Q. stay in fourth and fifth respectively.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Joey C. just announced that this Sunday is the day to get attendance for this year’s awards & banquet night. SGC wishes to get a 99.9% participation among members this year. “DWTS” is forthcoming.

Annual meeting this Saturday at 12:30 PM. Lunch offered. Bring your gripes & intelligent suggestions for discussion. For more details please refer to prior blog last week.

HEAR YE!  HEAR YE!

SGC needs a mediator and a secretary volunteers for this meeting. Responsibilities:

Mediator: Able to chair & preside over the meeting.

Secretary: Note down the minutes discussed over the meeting and submit it to the President.

The meeting:

Agenda:

1. Election of Officers and Committees
2. Treasurer’s Report
3. Membership and Fee
4. Prizes
5. Courses and Schedule
6. Local Rules
7. Other items (Issues, GTA, etc.)

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2015

Time: 12:30 PM

Where: Please click the link below for details and for directions (map available).

https://sierragolfers.com/blog/map-to-bing/

Was it a sign of old man winter reminding us that it was just around the corner? It was getting a little dark before thirty players including three guests finished their respective rounds last Sunday at Royal Ontario golf course. Otherwise, could be just the forecast for the day, hopefully so. Almost the end of August and with six more SGC games to go CNE opened last week, an indication of another school year opening real soon and then the Fall season. Perfect golf weather, with light breeze and the sun hiding behind the clouds for most of the day. For most souls that showed up got to think of this day as ‘must do’ to outplay everyone. With Super Series looming for next week as well as race to Month 4 waiting to be had, there was this tingling token running on everyone’s’ mind that this could be the time to win something for your own self before the season is over. Jockeying for post season awards I must say?

The Round: You’d think that a simple formula of getting good ball striking and a newly acquired putter for more improved putting would help his own cause of turning in a net score of 63. This was the case for Bong Munson who finished the round four shots clear of his nearest competitor. For the past few weeks Bong complained about his poor putting and he thought that with a new putter it helped outplayed his rivals for the tournament. A scenario of anything that you thought could aid you to improve was more than justified. Reminded me of one golf legend saying that the real golf course management happened six inches between the ears. Day prize deserving to Bong M. Worth mentioning as well was about the round yesterday was a sparkling gross score of 73 by Manny C.

Nassau contest: Bong M. with a stunning gross score of 39 in the front nine grabbed the front and overall. Sennix B. & Ricky R. were tied to win the back nine.

 

 

 

 

 

PAR 3 contest: Ross B. – hole 2; Nap P. – hole 8; Rey P. – hole 11; Jojo D. – hole 17.

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the winners.

Race to Month 4: Bingoy P. & JC M. are tied with the lead with best three completed rounds so far. Ends next week.

SGC is entering the 20^th game of the season. Even with two earlier rounds cancelled, some players have completed 15 games – meaning stats are available for the most coveted spots in the three categories. Here they are:

Race to MIP: Two of SGC’s best players – Manny C. & Jimmy M. in the one two punch spot while Ed P. hoovering around in third place. The M brothers – Mike & JC are spotted fourth and fifth respectively with Manny M. bringing up the rear in sixth place.

Race to Senior POY: Ed P. who looked like a cinch to win this contest for the past few weeks is closely being challenged now by upcoming Joey C. Seho O. standing in third firmly. Fourth & fifth spots are anybody else’s spot.

Race to POY: The M brothers, Mike & JC are looking good sitting in first and second position measly separated by ten strokes. 18 strokes behind is Jimmy M. in third place followed by Manny C. and Ed P. in fourth and fifth respectively

Good luck to all in the running for the awards.

SPECIAL MENTION: SGC thanks the active contribution of these three members who play significant roles running the show week in & week out: Jojo Dizon, Jimmy Manguerra, & Bingoy P.

Yes folks, a good number of players showed up surprisingly to play golf last Sunday at Kingsforest golf course to compete in a fun “Blind Partner” contest held for the second time around because of popular demand. Thirty-one players to be exact including four guests enjoyed the beautiful thirty-two degree weather Celsius with the sun smiling brightly all day. SGC provided a light dinner and drinks for those players who decided to stay after the round. By the looks of it, it seemed that everyone appeared to enjoy this competitive assembly as far as this innocent looking & exciting contest was concerned.

The Game: What could you say about a player who showed up and played good steady golf every time during the past weeks? Mr. Consistent Ed Peñas was the sole owner of a net score in the 60s at Kingsforest golf course. This trending member at the rate he was going for climbing the winner’s podium regularly could be the envy of many weekend players at the moment. Well done.

Bind Partner contest: 1^st: Mar D. & Ed P. – 145 points; 2^nd: Seho O. & Nap P. – 146 points; 3^rd: Paolo B. & ReyMac – 147 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nassau contest: Ed P. prevailed over the whole field by winning the front nine and overall. Seho O. stole the back nine uncontestably.

Closest to the pin contest: Bingoy P. – hole 5; Julio R. – hole 7; Manny C. – hole 17. No one got on hole number 14 which was weird because that hole was the shortest of all par 3s contested measuring only 128 more or less yards.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to all winners.

Race to MIP is also posted.

Royal Ontario with 1:30 PM start this Sunday. Do not forget to bring your RO ‘rain check’ with you.

Ahhhhhh…….dog days of summer. What would be the ideal thing to do in this kind of weather on a Sunday afternoon? Most people would be lounging in a chair holding a cold drink with one hand and spatula on the other while doing a barbeque in the sanctity of their own backyards. A few of us after a gruelling workweek, Sunday could not come soon enough. We would be somewhere out there trying to relax and get ourselves playing a round of golf. Yes indeed. Royal Woodbine golf course welcomed twenty-six players who sweated it out in a thirty-two degree Celsius temperature with a humidex reading of thirty-five. Oh boy was it scorching hot and muggy. How hot really was it? It was so hot that eight players comparably like the weather itself turned in sizzling net scores in the sixties. In golf mind you, there was no telling what it felt like carrying out a blazing feat like this. Well done members.

Let us start who did what yesterday. Amazingly enough these were the above eight mentioned players who closed out their respective rounds in the net sixties: (67) JC M., (68s) Lina M., Seho O., Ricky R., (69s) Paulo B., Manny C., & Rene Q. One more player who got the best of them to follow.

It’s worth remembering that golfers peak at different times. A low net score of 68 last week at Westview, Bingoy Peña did a compelling performance of duplicating his exploit last week but this time a lot better. He seared the course for a low net score of 64, three shots cleared of second place and consequently winning himself the day’s best prize. This one obviously served him as prime candidate by far for seizing Month 4 honours that would conclude in a three week time

Nassau corners: We got the two M’s in a sweep of this contest. JC M. proudly winning the front nine and overall; while Mike M. on odd occasion of joining this particular contest or any other side contest for that matter snatched the back nine.

 

Sharp shooters brigade: Bong M. – hole 4; Jimmy M. – hole 7; Jun P. – hole 10; Sennix B. – hole 14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the winners. Thanks for the round of drinks.

Announcement: This is regarding a slight change in the SGC’s local rules where it reads “Any error or omission on the scorecard will result in the disqualification of the player concerned.” What it means to explain to one of the errors that may happen: A player submitting a signed scorecard with a total gross score that does not match the actual gross score of that player faces a round disqualification. Example: A player’s actual gross score is 90 but signed for an 89 or 91 is disqualified. No need to change the wording on this rule. This is in effect starting next week, August 23, 2015 until the end of the season.

Please be prepared for a mandatory “Blind corner” contest this Sunday at Kingsforest as requested by popular demand.

Happy retirement to Renato Macapagal. Enjoy. Thanks for the food and a round of drinks.

SGC acknowledges the return of Julio Rodriguez. Welcome back.

Closest to the pin contest:

Hole 5:   Rene Q.

Hole 7:   Seho O.

Hole 11:  Manny C.

Hole 17:   Bong M.

Nassau:

Front & overall: Bert C.

Back: (Tie) Bingoy P., Jimmy M., & Lina M.

Super Series:

1. Bert C. 2. Paolo B. 3. Jimmy M. 4. Seho O.

Monthly:

1. Mike M.

2. Manny C.

3. Jojo D.

Congratulations to all winners.