Thirty-three players showed up and played last Sunday at Royal Woodbine golf course including two guests. No more complains heard from players concerning the weather except for a few bites from unfriendly mosquitoes. Not much wind to contend with and the sun, yes the sun was smiling at us all afternoon long. Noticeable also was the abundance of moths hovering over your head that was quite bothersome when teeing off. Golf course nice layout is much adapted to wild life which is rather surprising because of its proximity to urban environment. It shows the richness of food for wild animals plying the course as we saw two healthy coyotes, a fox and bunnies. Heard that the course management is just renting the property and that our government owns the land. Well so much for that stuff and let’s talk about the game. Perception wise, most players if not all are getting into the summer golf swing of things and getting into fine form as indicated by progressing scores.

Remarkable net 66 of three players showing guts and determination – Jojo D., Bingoy P., & Rene Q. who could have shot easily the lowest gross score but beaten by Jimmy M. with a 74.

Rene Q.

Bingoy P.

Jojo D.

Nassau: Oscar J. took the front nine with a 42 gross while both Jojo D. & Bingoy P. grabbing the back with gross 38 and both also tied for the overall. How about that huh?

Oscar J

Closest to the pin: Jimmy M. shot the closest on 7^th hole; Julio R. won the 14^th. Both were so close that I could not put my hairpiece in between the ball and the pin. Just kidding.

Jimmy M.

Julio R.

SGC welcomes back one of our old timers for his first game this season – Nap Pascual.

ANNOUNCEMENT: If you have not read an email from our Prez Joey C., please take note: Royal Woodbine reminded our club they might lose their liquor license because of members bringing their own liquor and drinking on the course. This is our second warning already and SGC does not want to lose our good standing with this golf course or to any golf course for the same matter.

SGC similarly would like to put a cap to maximum number of members to 40 for this year and the years to follow.

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

Conditions on last Sunday’s round seemed perfect weather wise. Little brisk wind in open and wide spaces was felt partially through the golf course but the most important aspect of all was the sun shining brightly all afternoon long. Together with the beautiful Royal Ashburn Golf Club it was a picture-perfect setup, wouldn’t you say? This course that used to be called Thunderbird golf course changed its name when one of the British monarchies, Prince Andrew paid a visit. Amenities like the practice areas were part of the clandestine offering by the golf course which surprised first-timers to try this course. What part of the course attracted the players most was the huge chipping & putting area. Not to mention some of the staff who wore kilts were friendly and courteous. So that Sunday was a perfect condition to post good scores, well, let’s see…….

After starting slowly, Joey C. played a four-game stretch in the average gross score of 94, a run that saw his name surged down to the bottom of the well before last Sunday. According to his own bragging admonition he tweaked his grip a bit to adjust to another driver club that he was not used to using. Well whatever anyone says, the result was beyond belief.

Joey C

Joey blitzed the front nine by shelling one over and turning in an overall gross score of 80. No one else came close except Jimmy M. who had a gross score of 73. Both men were in the same foursome as they were battling back and forth who would get the first place netter and the huge 50 points to go along with it, I was told.

Jimmy M.

Jimmy lost to the handicapping system and placed second. But wait. There is a story behind to all of these. Eddie I. was trying to convince the members after the game that the result posted by Joey was a by-product of a six-day-a-week playing golf by Joey at Royal Woodbine where he is a member and takes a day off Sunday to play recreational golf with SGC.

Who else got a name worth mentioning?
Nassau: A sweep in any sporting event is such a dirty word. Joey did not win the back after all. He took the front and overall. If you looked up “due for a win” in the dictionary, Bong M’s picture would be right there. Bong took the back with a net of 32. Joey I assumed must be shooting darts on Bong’s picture on the wall.

Closest to the pin: Paolo B. remember him, our 2010 POY champ? He grabbed hole 7th while Bingoy who bragged (a few players were getting tired of hearing this) about winning something every week got the nod on the 17th hole.

Bingoy P.

Paolo B.

Super Series Sunday:
As expected the three people got mentioned above took the top three prizes: Joey C. won it followed by Jimmy M. in second place, while Bong M. placing third. Manny M. who is showing signs of worthy play of late brought up the rear.

Manny M.

Month 1: Jimmy M. with a surge of gross 73 overtook Jojo D. who settled for second place. Bert C. dropped to third.

It was worth mentioning that players who elected to opt for the dinner package after the game enjoyed the wholesome dinner. Thanks to Joey who shouldered paying for most of the drinks.

We welcome back Saed Jafari for showing up for the first time and Oscar J. who fired a decent net of 70 engaging third place.

Congratulations to the winners!

ANNOUNCEMENT: We will try to have a picture taking again this Sunday for the last one that we did, did not turn out well. So please bring your SGC shirt over. You do not have to wear it to play your round of golf but just for picture taking purposes only.

Amazing scores turned in by a number of players last Sunday at Carlisle Golf and Country Club due to pleasant locales from both the weather and the golf course itself. An indication that this golf course maybe considered as one of the friendliest courses we ever played in our summer tourney. The separation between the blue and white tees were significant on most holes with regards to their designated location. Players who are hitting from the white tees enjoyed the fine setup to counter balance the usual hitting power displayed by blue tee hitters. The resulting scores though on the contrary favoured the players hitting from afar. The two players got the most attention mind you by firing an identical gross of 79 – Julio R.

Julio R.

Jimmy M.

and Jimmy M. While Jimmy made par on all holes at the front, Julio tallied with just two strokes over the front nine. Good to see Julio getting the huge 50 club’s kahuna points for the overall win. It is also pleasing to see that SGC’s A-listers are getting warmed up for the coming GTAA interleague tournament which happens at this very same course coming soon next month.

Here is the pic of the two of our newcomers Don C. & Ricky R.  We welcome few of our members finally showing up yesterday and from the previous rounds so far – Lina M., Fred H., Exe N. & Jun P.

Nassau contest:

Three people signed in matching front net of 32 – Jojo D., Sam K., & Jimmy M. while Manny M. took solo back nine with net score of 32 as well. All winners hit from blue tees. The only winner hitting from the white tees was Bingoy P. who garnered the overall crown with a net score of 67.

Bingoy P

Jojo D.

Sam K.

Manny M.

Closest to the pin:

Jun P.

A senior member Jun P. took the honour of winning the 4^th hole while Manny M. who came from the abyss to win again with the fantastic shot on the water infested 7th hole was cited already winning the back nine.

Announcement: If you are confirmed to play next Sunday at Royal Ashburn, please let Jimmy M. know if you are taking the dinner package that the course offered. It is a Super Series week.

Congrats to all winners!

One perfect Sunday golf weather, finally. How good was the weather you asked? The weather was so good that one member was querying after the round of golf, “What do we do now, sun’s still up? Let’s play more golf!” he bawled. Yes folks that was how good the weather was yesterday. We were so surprisingly amassed by the worthy fortune that happened that we were hoping of good things to come from here on in with Mother Nature. To top it all more players got out of their slumber – a total of twenty-nine players showed up and played.

For your info, Ricky R. was SGC’s POY winner circa ’88.

So on a calm day, good scoring results were expected or should we say……..

The GAME: One player who was focused on winning and still had momentum was Jojo D. He posted the lowest net round of the day with a net score of 67 giving him that two weeks in a row conquest. Special mention to Jimmy M., Manny C., and Rene Q. for turning in noteworthy gross scores of 77, 79, & 85 respectively. Seho O. as well continued his solid play with a close call third place finish a stroke behind second place.

Jojo D.

Jimmy M.

Manny C.

Rene Q.

Rey M.

Seho O.

Nassau: Needless to say, Jojo D. took overall and back nine while Jimmy M. tied with another player winning the front.

Par 3 closest to the pin: Jimmy M. seized the 3^rd hole convincingly. Rey M. narrowly beaten an already close shot to the pin on the sloping 10^th hole by Seb DM. by a hair.

Most of the players made the membership fee deadline without a hitch. Almost. No further comment on this issue. Got this idea of wise man saying, “You can think it, but don’t say it”. Game 2 awarding of leaderboard points were re-adjusted accordingly from second placer down. Due to this adjustment the regular POY standings is affected and modified. Regrettably this is bad news for one, good news for few who garnered more points thereby moving up in the standings.

Nice to see come back players all healthy raring to go with the new season.

Joey C. collected attendance for those who intend to play in the GTAA interleague tournament to submit to the hosting club. If you have not confirmed yet to attend, please do so by contacting Joey ASAP. Believe it or not, what do you think is happening next? Yes you guessed it, the collection of GTAA fee in advance.

On sustenance news after the round, one chap named Eddie I. brought some ‘chicharon’ to munch on together with a round of drinks provided by the winners with plates & plates of French fries too.

Congratulations to the winners!

How did the second round weather last Sunday at Royal Ontario golf course compared to at this time of year last year? It was no comparison at all. A year ago players wearing shorts playing golf enjoyed the balmy weather. This Sunday at eleven degrees C when the wind was whipping relentlessly, wooded fairway was the place to be comfortable with to make your shot but then there were trees all lined up on both sides to contend with. Open space fairways were hard to deal with when the wind was blowing in all directions. To add to the player’s miseries, the golf course uncut greens were so slow and saturated with grass feed. The only consolation for those who showed up was the sun came out and stayed for most of the afternoon. Could be ideal golf setting if not for that unfriendly wind. At the end of the day players anticipated high scores. Blame it on the weather?

A new member, Ross Bautista was among those who played that Sunday bringing a total of three fresh additions to our club so far. SGC welcomes Ross B. Likewise to Sebastian DM. who missed the entire year last year. Awaiting also for the familiar faces who are yet to join us this year – Tom B., Brian B., Mar DV., Fred H., Saed J., Lina M., Levi M., JC M., Bong M., Exe N., Jun P., PJ P., Nap P., and Ed P. Hope to all see you soon!

Second round results – results we did have.

As expected because of the wet conditions days before Sunday that made the course bit soggy and muddy, preferred lies were imposed by SGC – meaning lift, clean & place the ball.

Two people turning in an inspiring round net of 72 was an indication of high scores due to the not so ideal golf course conditions. A proud senior member, Pat D. tying a young gun, Jojo D. for posting the lowest net score. Marvelous. Parity at its best.

Jojo D

Pat D

Nassau corners: Jojo D. took advantage of tough conditions and beat the field with the lowest overall net of 72. Bingoy P. who said he left few putts out there to lose by a scanty stroke to Jojo took the front nine while Oscar J. grabbed the back.

Bingoy P.

Oscar J

Par 3 closest to the pin contest: Jojo D. again climbing the winning stage by claiming the 8^th hole. How about this folks, our new member Ross B. winning hole 11th? Omen of things to come?

Reminder: Membership fee deadline is next week, May 11^th. If you haven’t got your GTAA t-shirt yet, please contact Jimmy M. As requested by Jimmy, kindly bring your GTAA t-shirt this Sunday for team picture taking.

Congratulations to all winners. The boys appreciated the round of drinks after the game courtesy of the winners.

Posting of race to Monthly & Senior POY scores start now while POY begins after next week.

Fresh start, new deck of cards. SGC had its opening round of golf that happened last Sunday without a hitch. Eighteen players dodged the nippy weather and played at Century Pines golf course. It was not so bad after all; a mixture of cloudy & sunny conditions but the sun came out and stayed for most of the afternoon. Players that showed up tested their mettle against the competition and found out that their golf form was not that far away. A bunch of players did not bother showing up as expected claiming that they were not just ready yet. Like the previous years, it was the same story – prior commitments, neither up to it, body needed to adjust, or too early to think about golf yet. So stories goes on and on. One way or another we hope seeing you sooner that we think.

Most promising this year is our membership count which happens to be a bit up this year according to our treasurer Bingoy P. You must had a surprising phone call from him asking you if you are committing this year. Two new faces for sure are joining this year – Ricky Reyes an old SGC expatriate is playing with us again; the other new recruit is a good friend of Seho, Don Chung who shot a marvellous gross of 86. How about them apples? Ahoy there, at any rate SGC welcomes both players aboard.

We are happy to hear to have two more seniors deciding early to enter the Senior Cup this time – Pat D. & Rene Q. The more the merrier, they say.

POY – members voted in this year to have a new system installed in determining the winner via the point system. Other contests – Senior POY, Monthly, Super Series, & Grand Finals remain the same. How about this one folks. Par 3 closest to the pin contest could still be won by a dq’d. player. Officers took heart in giving a dq’d. player a good break just for showing up. Please check the rulings on all of these contests in our SGC Local Rules documentation available on this web site.

GTAA – Once again SGC decides to compete this year in the Interleague contest hosted by SOGA held at Carlisle Golf Club. If you plan to participate you need to contact Jimmy M. for the SGC uniform shirt to be worn in this contest which is available for a minimal cost. SGC patches are to be sewn on the back of the shirts as well. You can get the patch free of charge from our Prez, Joey Cruz.

Please be reminded that membership fee is due May 11, 2014. Miss the deadline payment and you suffer the consequences of nullifying all your previous game scores. SGC would like to thank the members who heartily donated money to the Philippine typhoon victims last November. Kindly redirect your pledge to our treasurer.

The Game – what transpired last Sunday?

In thoroughbred horse racing there are two kinds of style of racing. One is a sprinter who takes the lead bursting the lungs as frontrunner during a race and the other is a laid back horse that stay way back at the end of the pack waiting for the leaders to falter and gets the late kick to get it going. This player is somewhat likened to the frontrunner as he proved again this year to have an early gate start. Seho O. turned in a net of 70 to leave the field breathing his dust. For this feat Seho got himself 50 points and the early POY lead points. He as well took the back nine tying Don D. Fred DLR who still has the Pinas blues won the front nine.

Seho O.

Fred DLR

Don D.

In the par 3 sharpshooting contest, Jojo D. got his mojo going by sticking it closed to hole 5. Bingoy P. took the closest on hole 13.

Jojo D.

Bingoy P.

As a tribute to SGC’s A-listers, here again are our defending champs:

Eddie I. – POY 2013

Jun P. – Senior POY 2013

Jimmy M. – Gross Champ 2013

Hope to see you all next week.

Sierra Golf Club is proud to announce its summer past time favorite – its very own golf tournament that starts in two weeks. So there’s just enough time to dust off the clubs and limber up. SGC wishes everyone to take pleasure in having spirited weeks of playing golf with us, boys and girls alike. But just before we move on here is one of the funnies quoted between a player and his caddy during a round of golf:

Player: “I’d move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course.”
Caddy: “Try heaven Sir, you’ve already moved most of the earth.”

Buzzing with as many questions as how much snow and cold temperature we had last winter well, say goodbye to all of that, thank you very much. Time to get started with your spring-cleaning folks, set of golf clubs cleaning that is. Yeah!

Players’ pursuit of playing privileges with Sierra Golf Club is one of the main storylines of the summer season. SGC is convinced that if you are still in doubt in joining us, give us a try. We are showcasing all levels of player caliber for you to feel at home according to your golf skills. SGC entices you to participate in multi-facet competitions. Application form is readily available on this website as well as email address of our Prez, Joey Cruz just in case you have any questions. SGC welcomes you and try us out.

Not surprisingly at this time of year a year ago, everyone had their own set of goals entering the golf season. Well it’s this time of year again. Have you reset your goals? If you have, then this maybe that some kind of year for you. Hopefully it is centered on two things: enjoying the summer season you fussily deserved after a long cold winter, or having more chances to grab self-satisfying winning ways. If you pick the former you are a well-deserving person. If you choose the latter, we wish you luck as most players perhaps want the very same thing in my opinion. The season begins in less than three weeks starting a new orbit for 2014. Seemingly everyone’s goal is to get over the hurdle and get up there as soon as possible. We should be very pleased and extremely blessed to play golf; we are healthy and expecting to enjoy another golf season. Expectations? With any luck we could be looking at one of the commendable senior members in hot pursuit of the POY status for the season. We anticipate interesting story lines coming our way, mostly worthwhile for sure. We imagine that the perception about this year may have been a lot different compared to previous years – more collusion among members, more new deserving members, more long lost members coming back for fresh season start, more display of competitive nature & sportsmanship, and most importantly more participation from members while offering volunteering roles within the club. We crave to be blessed with uninterrupted good weather conditions throughout the summer months. We visualize another fine accomplishment by SGC of making sure that everything will certainly meet the standards of morality and fairness which are the trademark of our sport.

Who is the player that may surprise this year? Who will blossom? Any predictions? Fresh start expectations are high based on last year’s performances by deserving members. Is there a player beside yourself penciled in to win the whole thing? They say poise and self-reliance will take you a long way. But there are no guarantees in golf. The competition is greater than ever. Whatever the year, whatever the formula, whatever the indications of giving yourself a summer that you richly deserve, never take anything for granted. One thing is certain for sure, never overlook not to enjoy the season. FORE!!!!