The threat that never was. Weather forecast was cloudy with showers that did not materialize at all last Sunday at Royal Woodbine golf course. It was blue sky and the sun was shining brightly at 21 degrees Celsius. Perfect weather? Maybe. The air was a little dense making ball flight shorter than expected. Most players who showed up admitted that watching the weather forecast a week prior to Sunday was doom and gloom feeling. They were not expecting sunny conditions as it was rain and more rain that particular week. Still hoping for a brighter day come Sunday, players committed to playing. To their surprise, Royal Woodbine was ready for them. But let us talk about the course. With most players still harbouring rain forecast hangover, the course was soaked and playing like a USGA event. Attendance was showing sign of steady uphill climb as thirty-three players showed up including two guests.  Given the least cooperation by the weather, lack of playing golf amongst members probably helped the cause.

Rey Mac

Round: Somehow at all cost someone had to win. Jimmy M. got an extra award for himself by shooting an eagle on hole twelve par 5. Nassau winners – Levi M. got the front/overall while JC M. grabbed the back with a net of 44. Surprisingly, one senior member who was on a low scoring binge for the past few weeks was shaking his head after the completion of his gross round of 103. Rising from the abyss was an exhilarating gross round of 76 by Manny C. followed by second best net of solid 70 by Nap P.  Showing sign of increasing improvement from his previous performances was PJ P. with a net score of 72. Rey Mac got the exalted lowest net score of them all by signing his scorecard with 66. Pleased to see him back and playing good as well. Congratulations to the winners!

PJ P.

Monthly Race: Wow, this is something new! Very nice to see a fresh face leading the Month 2 race. Coming out of nowhere PJ P. garnered a three best net total of 220 so far overtaking the previous leaders. One stroke behind is Manny C. with 221. Striking distant tied at third place with 226 are Seho O. and Ed I. Nap P is not so far behind only a stroke back in fourth. This race is close for first and second only with only one round to go, don’t you think?

Jimmy M.

POY Race: Not too much change here folks after eight rounds. Jimmy M. still hugging the lead with Ed I. close in second place. Manny C. and Seho O. exchanging places with third and fourth positions respectively.  Julio R. was unseated by Jojo D. for fifth place while following behind them at seventh is up and coming JP P. Senior POY as promised will be posted after three rounds.

Meanwhile SGC gladly like to announce after being informed for next Sunday’s round by Westview management that our round is going to take place playing Middle to Lakeland courses running every ten minutes.

A memorable round of golf and spending a day with other friends from various golf club organization in the GTA. This important GTAA Interleague golf yearly event happened last Sunday at Deer Creek Golf Club hosted proudly by BGAT organization. More than a hundred players showed up for the event. Nice to see new and familiar faces while exchanging pleasantries, storytelling, and trash talking. All five golf associations that participated thank the support from its members, guests and most especially the volunteers in which without their dedication and commitment would not be possible to host such a huge event. Every member knows it was not easy orchestrating behind the scenes responsibilities as well as juggling pre-and post-dinner tasks. Not to mention coordinating with the host golf course when directing players with their needs making their stay and play a pleasurable one.

While all organizations agreed this is just a fun competitive event, the emphasis is just as much fun as it is on competitiveness.

SGC aiming to finish better overall this year or maybe who knows, winning the team championship altogether, but unfortunately SGC finished dead last in the team standings. All glitter was not totally lost with SGC as our very own Jimmy Manguerra won the longest drive, over 300 yards.

Class A: Julio Rodriguez placed tied for third with a net of 69 while Paulo Ballares tied for fifth gutting out net score of 70. Jimmy M. got beaten by a stroke for the best gross score of 76 with Manny Chea grudgingly posted 79 tied for fourth.

Class B: Top grosser for SGC in the B division went to Rey Plaza with a gross score of 93 tied for fifteenth. The winner had a gross of 82. PJ Paredes scored SGC’s best net of 74 nine strokes off the winning net score followed by Rey P. with a 75.

Class C: & D: SGC did not do too well in this division due to lack of player representation.

Good effort for these players!

SOGA ended up winning the team championship followed by Philcan, Talamak, BGAT, and with SGC bringing up the rear.

SGC’s commitment to this interleague play was not conceivable without the support once again by its members.

For more detailed results, please try this link: http://www.gtainterleague.golfleaguegenius.com/pages/11246

Date and Time: Saturday, June 8, 2013

Registration – 10:30am to 11:45am

Shotgun Start – 12 noon

Venue: Deer Creek South Course – Sapphire & Emerald Men – Blue Tees Women – White Tees

Reminder to SGC members:

Wear your green SGC uniform t-shirts with dark pants if possible.

LOCKERS & SHOWER STALLS ACCESSIBLE FOR PLAYERS!!!!!

DIRECTIONS TO DEER CREEK NORTH & SOUTH/DEER CREEK BANQUET FACILITY

2700 Audley Road North Ajax, Ontario L1Z 1T7 905.427.7737

FROM THE EAST

Highway 401 west to Salem Rd. Go north on Salem until Taunton Rd. Turn right onto Taunton and travel east towards Audley Rd. Turn left onto Audley. The driveway entrance is on the left hand side.

FROM THE WEST

Highway 401 east to Salem Rd. Go north on Salem until Taunton Rd. Turn right onto Taunton and travel east towards Audley Rd. Turn left onto Audley. The driveway entrance is on the left hand side.

FROM HIGHWAY 407

Highway 407 east through Brock Rd. and continue on Highway 7 towards Audley Rd. Make a quick right onto Audley Rd. and travel south. The driveway entrance is on your right hand side.

Players were greeted by blustery conditions Sunday at Royal Ashburn. Gusty winds made breaking 90 a formidable challenge. It was very tricky and everyone had to grind it out. Not taken for granted of course was Royal Ashburn in which it did not cooperate with twenty-nine players who showed up. There was an awful lot to be said for this golf course and from what we gathered, a good number of members never seen or played the golf course obviously indicated by their high scores. Not an easy course we see.

Regardless of when or where you play, someone has to be declared a winner. One player has already chalked up one victory earlier and as a matter of fact, it was SGC’s opening day when he won – Eddie I. had been particularly steady with all the rounds he ever played in. A repeat winner last Sunday, Eddie posted a net score of 73. Four strokes behind tied for second place were three players – Manny M., Levi M., & Lina M. who we’d like to think is beginning to get her mojo back. This is bad news for the boys, I tell you. Nice to see Manny M. playing in his first start and winning the Nassau back nine. How’s that for first timers huh? Levi M. took the front nine while Eddie I. won the total. Sunday was also Super Series day. Need I tell you who won it? Here are the top four getters as far as Super Series winners were concerned – Eddie I, Jojo D., Rey P., and Don D. Congratulations!!!

Glad to see Sam K. back from a trip to the Far East and also Seb DM. who missed two previous rounds.

Our season is getting more and more interesting folks. This Sunday is the start of the Senior POY. You can still join the senior race this week by registering. Or, you can join later on but your round will only count from the day you register.

See ya all next week.

After two Sunday outings of relatively almost impossible weather conditions, the sun finally made a steady appearance at last Sunday’s SGC round four at Royal Woodbine golf course. This pleasant day of bright sunshine brought a few cloudy moments but nevertheless, it was an ideal Sunday to play. Surprisingly enough, thirty players showed up including two guests.

SGC would like to welcome a new member, Rene Querubin who participated playing two rounds with us already including this past Sunday. We welcome back returning & confirmed members – Jun Paculaba, Saed Jafari, Oscar Jacela, and Ed Penas. From what we heard, another SGC prospect is planning to join us. At any rate, many thanks to members for trying to recruit new faces and hopefully more players are thinking of joining us in our summer past time event.

Jimmy M.

Don D.

Jimmy M. had the best gross round of the day of 74 and he appeared headed for his Month 1 title after last Sunday. He did. Eddie I. took second place as Manny C. & Julio R. tied for third. Jimmy also had the pleasure of shooting an eagle on the par 5 third hole garnering him a not so bad prize return. Unfortunately, he was not able to win the coveted low net round of the day as someone else made a roaring low net score of 65. The honour goes to Don D. Royal Woodbine golf course in the past was a nemesis to Don D. Some weeks you play really well and you get the right kicks and everything goes well. And then there are weeks you can still hit the ball well and get the bad kicks. Well, for Don D. it was a case of nurturing being patient and shots that could go wrong went rightfully just for him. As far as the Nassau contest winners, Don took the lowest net score as well as winning the back nine tied with Rey P. Another player took the front nine. A round of drinks came afterwards. Thanks and congratulations to the winners!

Posting for the Race to regular POY will happen after five rounds. Senior POY after three rounds. All weekly score posting will be password protected right after the GTAA Interleague.

Please note:

Next week at Royal Ashburn is the last week to register for the Senior POY. It is also Super Series Sunday.

Tee time is 2:00 PM. Kindly notify the pro shop at Royal Ashburn when you are paying for your green fee if you are having dinner as well.

Good luck.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. Yes folks, we got it last Sunday. We never experienced a day like it. It was all four seasons in just ONE day! Sunday’s forecast for the Hamilton Peninsula wasn’t all that much better with temperatures barely reaching 9 degrees C at times. The competitors had to contend with sleet, snow, hail, rain, and sunshine all packaged in one. Increasingly strong winds which became very blustery in the afternoon did not help either. It was one adverse weather phenomena to another. At least four players who abandoned play in the middle of the round could not be blamed for going straight to the clubhouse to seek shelter from the climate adversity.

Whether it’s the PGA Tour, a member-guest, or your club championship, if you’re a competitive golfer, dealing with inclement weather can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your ability to handle it. Even one of the fickle Sundays failed to dampen enthusiasm for golf. Despite the weather condition, golf held its own among regulars who still showed to play. One player made it looked easy in the rain, sleet, snow, & hail Sunday at Kingsforest. With the field facing difficult scoring conditions, Jimmy M. reeled in the lowest net score of 71. Manny C. and Jojo D. didn’t do that bad either as they gutted net scores of 74 & 76 respectively. Congratulations!

Hopefully weather forecast will be a little different next Sunday. As of now they are calling for delightful sunshine at 19 degrees C.

See you then.

Weather predictions were thankfully correct last Sunday. The weather last weekend called for sunny skies with highs in the 22s C. Beautiful, beautiful weather at Royal Ontario Golf course. The golf course had a chance to play fast because of the forecast but golf balls were not quite running out on the putting surfaces that fast . Twenty-eight players including two guests showed up and enjoyed the ideal weather conditions. The sun was still shining bright as the entire SGC group finished earlier than expected  due to the course management’s decision to let us start from split tees.

JD

FH

JM

LM

RP

Royal Ontario places a premium on hitting fairways. To gauge how the course was playing, not many players engaged in playing in a memorable and equally impressive day. Five players did not disappoint at all. All five (pictured above) – Jojo D., Fred H., Jimmy M., Levi M., & Rey P. netted the best score of 69.  Congratulations!

We are into the second round of the season and surprisingly scores are so close that it may take up to the fourth and final day of the month to determine the monthly winner(s).  So far, three players are again tied for the lead. Showing the lead are last week’s winner Ed I., Jimmy M., and Julio R. As we conclude with the top three vying for Month 1 honours, Fred H. together with Manny C. & Jojo D. are not so far behind. With two more rounds remaining for the monthly race, there is still hope for the others to catch up but will need a little help from the leaders.

We took pleasure in drinking a round of drinks and some French fries to munch on after the round thanks to the winners. As we were huddling around the club house, there was discussion of bringing back the idea of players having a choice of teeing off from the white tees or blue tees. Most of the players agreed and the decision now is when is this going to be implemented. Concerned members or for those who were not around when this issue came up, kindly contact Mike M. for more info.

Last Sunday’s attendance was not a dismal day after all compared to opening day a week ago.  Maybe the weather was to blame or a little too early in the season as people were not ready yet to get out of hibernation. SGC understands and appreciates the members who showed up in bunches and hoping to see small number of members who are yet to show up and join us.

We welcome Sam K. and Dave N. as new minted SGC members!

Spring cleaning

Ahoy there! Welcome. Welcome to the opening round of SGC’s golf tournament. Weather appears to have had an impact on participation. To say it again, weather has clearly influenced participation and obviously that’s not something anybody can control. Expecting cooler temps playing early this Spring but surprisingly, it was close to being an ideal weather condition if you asked the players who showed up last Sunday at Century Pines. There  were occasion of hitting balls to few wet spots in the fairway, but you’d be really unlucky enough to get your ball all muddied. With weather hovering up & down to low 70s F & high 60’s F, we heard no complaints from anyone. Wind was not a factor either. Golf balls were hitting and stopping with zero roll in the fairway and greens were receptive throughout the round. The only hitch that seemed to appear during the round was an advantage to hard hitters because of the lack of time for the ground to fully dry up due to rain for the past day or two that hit the territory. We timely finished our round as it rained cats and dogs as we were leaving for home.

The only drama on this day came when the question of who would be the eventual winner. Ed I. (pictured) who gutted out a round of net 67, thought it was not good enough to win the round as someone else carded a lower net of 66. Unfortunately that someone else was part of the whole foursome that got disqualified for hitting from the wrong location. After debating the disqualification for the four players involved, the Rule Committee’s decision stayed which most players thought that it was the right thing to do. The player who got DQ’d took the penalty like a real gentleman would together with three others and all claimed that it was nothing but an honest mistake. We agreed, case closed. Anyway to Ed’s credit, he began his season in earnest with a win as he was declared the first SGC opening round winner. Congratulations.

It was an attention-grabbing day for every one last Sunday. To everybody’s amazement, Pat D. offered to donate a green jacket to the winner of this year’s regular POY and another one to the Senior POY. Seho O. who contributed an extra $100 earlier to be added to the prize money for Senior POY, again confirmed that the money is to be used for that purpose.

Two former regulars looked to be coming back – PJ P. & Dave Nelson. A new member recruit by Seb Demelo, a young looking Sam Kim is a possible prospect. All three played last Sunday. SGC welcomes them wholeheartedly. From what we heard from the grapevine, more players are thinking of joining us. Let us see come deadline time how true this is going to be. At any rate you know what they say – the more, the merrier.

Every member was treated to a hamburger sandwich after the round. We would like to thank Pat D. for the nice treat as we do not get surprised by him anymore with his kind gesture. Ed I. provided the drinks as well. Seho brought cake slices too. Thanks gentlemen!

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Membership fee is due next week.

2. Just a reminder for a round next week at Royal Ontario, tee time is 2:00 PM, split tees – 1^st tee & 10^th tee. Please be there early.

See you all next week.

Maricon Gerente

By:        Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter, Published on Friday, April 20, 2013

Click to enlarge to read info on my back!!!

As the Sierra Golf Club (SGC) golf tournament arrives for the start of six summer month’s swing, the 2013 season already is bursting with plotlines and buzzing with as many questions as there are surprises.

Have the SGC golfers awaken from their winter hibernation? With anticipation they will arrive in droves, current and new members alike to play in our opening game April 28th at Century Pines. Among the members making their debut are POY defending champion Sennix B. together with runners up Seho O., Levi M., & Rey P. One runner up missing is Joey C. who happens to be MIA for awhile enjoying hot weather somewhere on this planet. We suspect Joey is seriously honing his golf skills to get back strong this year. What about the returning Super Series Champions –  Joey C., Levi M., Eddie I., Fred H., and Bingoy P. who is also our Grand Final champion? Can Jimmy M. defend as Most Improved Player and Lowest Gross Champion? We dare not to disturb the temporary slumber of these ‘sleeping giants’ – Manny C., Julio R., Jun P., Mike M., Exe N., Saed J., and Paul H. Could hear them murmur enough is enough already! Well, take note. We take notice of rumbling from the rest of the members that a stiffer competition is in the offing this time around. Don’t you want to be a part of this year’s rivalry to see other players including yourself nipping at last year winner’s heels seething with desire to dethrone them? We’ll see.

We’d like to see the likes of JC M., Nap P., Carina V., Bong M., Rey P., Lina M., Manny M., Oscar J., Fred D., Sebastian D. Pat D., Mar DV., Bert C., Don D., and Jojo D., stepping up and claiming the winner’s podium. But setting winning aside, SGC wishes a few of these members could show up & play a little bit more often to engage plainly more socially with the rest of us and have fun.

SGC is optimistic that this should be a good year asserting hope for a healthy and worry free summer for members and their loved ones. With a little bit of luck, we hope to see SGC’s long lost broods back – Ed P., PJ P., Tony D., Stafford M., Renato M., Tom B., Paolo B. Sam R., and Nick D. We miss them all, do we not folks?

As we backtrack to SGC’s annual meeting held last January at Levi’s Fiesta Filipina restaurant, members who attended enjoyed the food as well as exchanging hello to everyone. Order of business came about and to no one’s surprise almost everything stayed the same, from POY, Super Series, Grand Finals, and Monthly contests to name a few to local rule changes. A major event addition is the  Senior Cup which is to be included this year. Although SGC decided NOT to make this obligatory, it is open to qualified golden members only – 60 years of age & up. Funding comes from those who enter the contest. One local rule was discussed and added to current rules. It is implemented this year and already posted on our website under “Sierra minutes/Sierra Local Rules”.

A new SGC picture banner was revealed during the meeting. Everyone gazed in delight for its huge size and amazingly quality picture resolution. Thanks to Bingoy P. who took all the trouble of having it made in Pinas and brought back here. Don D. offered himself for the banner’s safe keeping.

Mike M. who volunteered for the position to replace Joey in absentia also took the responsibility of representing SGC in dealing with other golf associations for this year’s participation in the GTA Interleague tournament hosted by BIGAT. Mike is also taking care of player’s handicapping. Meanwhile aside from Jimmy M’s duty as attendance person, the player’s flight schedule for every game and calculation of scores after every game fall on his shoulders. Please be reminded it is still the responsibility of players from the first foursome of every game to collect all scorecards and list down all the scores in the sheet list. Members are also asked to be more responsible and discreet when it comes to attendance. Remind yourselves to submit your attendance a week ahead if you want to play a round of golf for a particular week. SGC cannot emphasize this issue more as we had trouble last year with a couple of golf courses that meticulously accepted no changes to the list of people playing SGC had given the golf course at deadline.

Joey C. who seems to wear a lot of hats with this club is going to be missed as it takes a ration of people doing his numerous duties as mentioned above.

SGC once again credits Carina V. for having the trouble of managing our golf summer schedule. Our schedule has a new look this year with two or more golf courses removed from the list, replaced by something new. SGC offers many thanks to Pat D. for Royal Ontario’s inclusion to the schedule as well as Jimmy M. for Royal Ashburn, Don D. for Ballantrae and to Jojo D. for the budget saving Century Pines. Please take note that Ballantrae Golf Club management according to Don D., is sternly asking SGC and its guests to maintain 4 ½ hours length of play.

Much kudos to Lina M. for coordinating a wonderful awards night affair last October. We have not forgotten Ed Peñas’ exceptional contribution as we offer him a worthy praise for providing SGC with friendly handicapping software. If you enjoyed last year’s closest to the pin contest, then Bong M. deservedly gets a thumb’s up for running it with fervor or growing pains.

SGC would like to acknowledge the job well done for so many years by outgoing treasurer; Rey P. Bingoy P. is taking over the reins for now.

Is it true that Nelly D. and Pat D. are again treating members for a scrumptious dinner after a round of golf sometime this year? SGC does not want to put the Deocas on the spot but members for sure got the pleasure of their hospitality last year and we would like to thank them earnestly.

Rumor mill abound: It’s heard through the grapevine that SGC will have two new recruits this year, maybe more. Did I hear a player or two moving from SOGA to SGC? Only time will tell. At any rate SGC welcomes new members wholeheartedly.

SGC appreciates the people who contributed their time and effort to help achieve our goals during the years. SGC as always, gets the pleasure and is forever open of having volunteers every time there is a call for support or assistance to our club.

Once a golf nut, you’re always be a golf nut………..glory days are here again. Take care of yourselves, see you soon!!!

Practice…practice….practice….