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!!!!

Pics were taken at Don D’s place and at awards night.

Over here folks

A message from SGC………………………….

Sierra Golf Club’s awards night last Saturday was the culmination of our summer golf season. Good play was rewarded. Bonding friendship got stronger. Competitive nature drove each and every one of us to work harder. Acquiring new friends regardless of different values or beliefs we learned to adjust and accept with open arms. Winning or losing did not matter that much as we enjoyed each other’s company in happier or gloomy times. Consoled each other in times of grief or rejoice with good news that transpired to any of us. Members opening and offering their warm hearts and homes to entertain us. Members that sacrificed time to lend never ending services to our club. Behind every successful man there is a woman, behind every successful woman there is a man. They say everything has an end, good or bad. Sometimes going separate ways overwhelm us but no matter how far away you go just to get away from it all, the notion of coming back and enjoying the season forthcoming, SGC welcomes you back healthier and feistier.

Until next year mis amigos.

OUR WELL DESERVING CHAMPIONS

As champs, anytime & anywhere you play golf, you represent SGC.

Jun Paculaba – Senior POY

Jimmy Manguerra – Low Gross scores

Eddie Ilao – Grand Finals, Most Improved, POY

From L to R
Jun P., Ed I., Jimmy M.

Please check the gallery for pics. More pics to come this Friday.

The last two games in SGC’s schedule have brought an added dimension to our ending summer session finale. So much drama at stake and there was one and only one thing that could damper the exciting finish to augment the final results. The weather did us an injustice to the first of last two games indeed. Morning rain that stayed all day and cold temperatures promised a terrible day. Rain came down almost all day at Westview golf course that created havoc to the players who showed up and played that day. Two players could not finish the game complaining about the wetness and cooler temps. As a matter of fact, few players threatened to quit in the middle of the round but held on to complete their round. Thanks to the prodding by fellow players? The very next day to make up for another Sunday cancellation prior because of the weather again, was of total opposite at Ballantrae golf course. Sun broke thru, blue sky up above and a very calm day with 17 degrees Celsius in the offing. We could not complain that much coming in to the month of October with mild weather, could we? One day of good weather out of two wasn’t that bad, wouldn’t you agree as well?

Regardless of any predicament though, we will have results. And results we did have. Surprising ones as well in some categories.

Paulo B.

Day 1 of Grand Finals at Westview with that horrid weather, we saw solid performance by three players who posted the lowest net round of the day with 69. Paolo B., Jojo D. & Bingoy P. looked like never perturbed by the weather conditions as they went their way of posting good strong

Jojo D

scores. All three grabbed the Nassau overall lowest score. Bingoy P. won the front nine tied with Ed I. while Paolo & Jojo both took the back nine. In the sharpshooting par three contest, Julio R. & Jimmy M. both got one each of

Bingoy P

winning one closest to the pin contest.

Heading into Day 2 of the Grand Finals this time however, there shouldn’t be nearly as much drama regarding the weather. Ed I. was the only player that posted net score in the 60s. While shooting net 65, he earned the Nassau back

Saed J

nine and overall. Dave N. with a net of 32 in the front

Julio R.

nine, tied Ed. Saed J. won the front par 3 closest to the pin contest while Julio R won in as many days grabbed the back.

Jimmy M.

LOW GROSS CHAMPION: Can’t think of anyone competing as of now with Jimmy M. with no handicap. Maybe four players in my mind are close but the erstwhile champ owned this award by winning this category a record six times tying Exe N. He won it last year and won it four times in a row from 2006 to 2009.

MONTH 5: The ever surging Jojo D. took first place beating two players by huge nine points with 199 total of best three net scores. Levi M. & PJ P. tied for second place.

SUPER SERIES 5: Two people got it going at very wet Westview golf course. Paolo B. & Jojo D. tied to win the first prize. Sam K. who bagged fourth place for the last two Super Series did better this time around by securing third place followed by Ed I. in fourth place.

SENIOR POY: As projected with a nerve of steel, Jun P. won this maiden contest by collecting ten best net scores of 718 beating come from

Jun P

behind second placer, Bingoy P. by five points followed by Mar DV in third place. Bert C. came fourth while Seho O. seized the final spot.

Please take notice about these next contests as one player dominated winning all three. It was cited on previous blogs that this player in particular was showing sign of outstanding golf game by contending in most of SGC’s categories.  He maintained that focus, concentration and skill level successfully that at many times were not to be taken lightly. He had done just about everything right this year.

Ed I

GRAND FINALS: Ed I. with an impressive net 65 on the last game came from behind to win this one convincingly with a total of two best net score of 139. Bingoy P. who won this contest for the last two years came close of winning again but fell short instead with 144 in second place. Behind by a meager two points tied in third place were Manny C. & Dave N. Another tie for the fifth and final spot were Jojo D. & Jimmy M. posting collective total net score of 148.

MIP: Ed I. once again proved that coaxing himself to maturity and hard work remarkably surprised himself by carrying out a very gutsy showing in the final game where it all counted. By carding the best gross 77 of the round propelled himself to the reward of winning the MOST IMPROVED PLAYER of the year award. Manny C. who was leading from the very start, lost by disappointing .500 points to Ed. Levi M. came third while Paolo B. & Julio R. spotted at fourth and fifth respectively.

POY: This is the crème de la crème of SGC. Any player winning this coveted title must feel proud and honoured to be setup in such a pedestal. There were so many ways you could look at Ed I’s marched to victory last week.  An inspiring win for all three categories, this one was the most memorable. Who knows barring any injuries, Ed could ante up next year and win them all. And why not? He’s got game.

Congratulations to all winners.

Announcement for Awards/Banquet Night More info here

A letter from Joey C.

Below are the final details of what was agreed on by the SGC members due to last Sunday’s game cancellation at Ballantrae golf course:

1. Game cancelled last Sunday has been re-scheduled for Monday, October 14, 2013 at Ballantrae.

As a result of the re-scheduling, results of the:

1. Oct. 13th round will now count as the fourth score for the monthly prize.
2. Oct. 13th round will be the first game of the grand finals.
3. Oct. 13th round will be the last round to be included in the Senior’s POY winner calculations.
4. Oct. 13th round will determine the 5th Super Series winners.

5. October 14th round will be used to determine the Grand Finals winners.
6. October 14th round will be used to determine the POY winners.

• Should there be a course tournament stoppage on either of the 2 dates identified above, all prize calculations will be done according to steps posted in our website under local rules.

It is getting closer to the finish. Yup. Season almost over. Disappointing season for some, self-righteousness to others or gratification and fulfillment to a few. SGC’s drive is very simple and true – get members to revel in the company of others. Point taken folks?

Two games to account for. Contending players are jockeying for positions with a good game plan on their minds. Others display admiration just watching other members compete and how they handle pressure and revere the fact how they conduct themselves even in a losing cause. These people are the real winners if you ask me. We all learn something every day, do we not? The flagship of all these competitions is our POY. An honor to win it and we salute all past winners. It is also gratifying to note that members supporting our club for enjoyment of every one is much better.

Who did what last Sunday at Maples of Ballantrae?

Levi M.

ROUND: I got a story to tell about my own foursome of Bong M., Rey P. and Jojo D. First of all, my expression of regret to other groups who may want to relate a better story than I have but what I do not have I cannot post. I try to post funny and interesting stories happening after every round of golf. That is why I keep my ears open wide and listen to players around me. You are welcome to feed me legit funny stories to make it more interesting. Back to my foursome though. Bong M. & Rey P. got their mojo going in the early part of the game but unfortunately both players lost the wind in their sails in the last three holes. Regardless they both posted good scoring. I guess this is why we play eighteen holes, don’t we?  One player, Jojo D. showed us a little different beat. He excelled in almost anything he did – driving, chipping, & putting as all three of us marvelled watching him. Jojo as we finished the round jumped in joy like a little child who just got a new toy when he learned he just broke 80 by carding a gross of 79. But there was a catch. Remember the saying never count the chicks before the eggs hatch? Two foursomes later, Levi M. with an equal handicap to Jojo carded a better gross score of 78. Levi M. to his credit won more Nassau contests last year than anybody else. With the lowest gross (78) & lowest net (60) became perfectly clear Sunday that he is one of the good scoring players to reckon with. Other players who carded hard-earned net scores in the 60s were Jojo D. 62, Mar DV & Sennix B. 64, Sam K. & Bong M. 68, and PJ P. with 69.

NASSAU: A heartbreaker to Jojo D. who was left winning just the front nine with net 30. Levi M. outshone him by winning overall and the back nine with net score of 60 & 29 respectively.

Jojo D

RACE to MONTH 5: So far with three rounds accounted for, Jojo D. leads the pack owning huge six points margin to second place finishers (tied) Levi M. & PJ P. One round to go to finalize the top three which is next week.

CLOSEST to the PIN: Manny C. who rarely enters optional contests, took the front sixth hole. Oscar J. who seldom plays, got it the closest on the tenth hole. Can you imagine how many contests Oscar can win if he plays regularly?

Manny C.

Oscar J

POY: Levi M. with a good performance Sunday that catapulted him from fourth position to first place dislodged last week’s leader, Eddie I. to second place. Levi now leads Ed by a meager two points. Far back in third place is Manny C. behind by seven startling points. Promising PJ P. followed in fourth place relegating Jimmy M. to fifth place as he leads Jimmy by a point. Wow what a race this is going to be two weeks from now.

Jun P

SENIOR POY: Jun Paculaba not surprisingly with a net of 70 Sunday took the lead and is projected to win this maiden title. He leads the “never giving up” Mar DV by four points and the third placer by a huge seven points. Bingoy P. is in fourth place eleven points behind Jun with Seho O. a point behind Bingoy. Top five get to the prize money with the coming finals this Sunday.

MIP: Not much change here. Manny C. still leads followed closely by Eddie I in second place and Julio R in third. The only change here is Paolo B. taking solo fourth with Levi M. down to fifth. They were both tied in fourth a week prior to last week. Top five will be rewarded in two-week time.

Don D.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Players confirmed to play next week at Ballantrae are told to bring cash to pay for the SGC tickets. No cash, you are facing possibility of paying the golf course with your credit card with a much higher green fee. Don and Susan Dizon once again open their hearts & home again to host SGC after the round. They offer salad and soft drinks while an extra $5 for the members to shell out to take care of the food. Pizza is in the offing and any alcohol beverages is to be shouldered by the members as well.

A delightful round of drinks and fries mostly provided by our winner Levi M. & and a little help from Jojo D. after the round at MoB. Seho O. brought some nourishing cookies as well. Special mention by the players to thank Joey C. who treated players at a Vietnamese restaurant after winning two Nassau corners at Century Pines two weeks ago.

Unless you have a good reason not to compete with the Grand Finals contest, we would like to see every one for our last two games before we go on separate ways.

Congratulations to the winners.

Summer wind’s getting chiller and days are getting shorter. Fewer you see short pants worn by even daring players on the golf course. Today is the first day of fall season. Yes, this is a good reminder that Old Man winter is just around the corner. Don’t we all know it? With SGC’s summer scheduled games down to three games, the feeling of eerie anticipation about our golf season that is coming to an end is on every one’s mind. Once again SGC feels proud about the participating members who conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf. If you are one of those who disagree, please drop a letter to SGC’s suggestion box if you can find it.

On a more serious note, there is still so much at stake for the remaining games that could be had by ANYONE. We have Month 5, Super Series 5 and the Grand Finals. If you feel like a momentum is in you to win one of these, then we dare you to do it.

Now let’s talk about what happened last Sunday at Century Pines.

Joey C

ROUND: Winning at this golf course every time this player plays here bodes well for him. Joey C., did it again this Sunday by signing his card with a net of 68. By all measures, Century Pines is a fair and predictable course and amazingly enough though many members consider this course as easy as it gets.  If this is so, then what was the reason for a lone net score of below 70 achieved by just one player? No offense to our guest player Tom B. who gutted a net of 63.

NASSAU: If a net score of 68 wasn’t enough to make the outcome looked inevitable, Joey C. convincingly grabbed the back and overall. Jojo D. tied with another player to garner the front nine.

Paulo B.

Seho O.

CLOSEST to the PIN: The ever charging Paolo B. who netted best net 66 the week before last Sunday, claimed hole five. You would not believe what he told another player how he got so close to that par 3 hole difficult pin location. It was a mishit! Better lucky than good? Seho O. who also got it very close on the fifteenth hole was never challenged.

PJ P.

RACE to MONTH 5: With just two rounds already completed, PJ P. heads the early parade of leaders. Hopefully he can keep this up for the next two games. Jojo D. who had shown good course management of late is hugging closely in second place followed by the resurgence of the “no golf ball that I cannot find on the golf course” Saed J. All three players are only separated by a measly stroke in between them. I kind of like this contest because it is so close like me to my mother-in-law. Just kidding.

Ed I

POY: What can we say about this contest? First and second place finishers as well as total of twelve best net scores for both remained exactly the same for a two-week run now. Odd. Everybody else was surprised about Eddie I. taking the lead to the most coveted title by a huge margin of seven points except himself. If you notice folks, Ed happens to be contending in every contest that SGC is presenting this year even in the littlest race of who can ostracized someone else the most. Ain’t it obvious what his goals are? Win… baby! Manny C. who was idle last Sunday stayed in second place. I got a feeling the burning sensation inside of Manny C. trying to unseat this guy in front of him. The only change happening was about Jimmy M. replacing Levi M. in third position. Good clean fun and lots of luck to all of those people contending.

SENIOR POY: Well not much to say about this race. It is likely that this writer is in precautious position to say anything as who leads this contest temporarily. Please check the scores and standings on another post.

Manny C.

MIP: Manny C. may want to adhere to the blog comments weeks before about his lead that he holds in this particular contest to avoid risking anything with three games to go. He could win it by just loafing in his couch at home watching TV. But… and this is a big BUT. Guess who is closing in? Yes you guess it, it is Eddie I. There he is again. You feel like winning everything with gusto, why not? I for one want to see it done.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Awards night/banquet will be on October 19, 2013. SGC decides that if you confirm to attend and you are a no show, the money paid for your reservation will be charged against you. Watch for the posting here for the banquet’s place and time a week prior.

MAPLES OF BALLANTRAE TEE OFF THIS SUNDAY IS CHANGE FROM 1:38 pm TO 1:12 PM

Perdóname mis amigos for the blog that went missing last week. Last week was not my very best effort as I just could not buy the time. For the very few who read the blog, I will try to do better effort not to miss it again. Gracias.

Congratulations to all winners.

YOU ARE A SIERRA GOLF CLUB MEMBER, THIS IS THE TIME TO BE PROUD.

SGC’s donation makes a difference to certain few.
Click to enlarge.

Some of the twenty-six members plus three guests that never played this golf course before were astonished to see a gated community entering Ballantrae Golf & Country Club golf course last Sunday. This experience was a little different atmosphere compared to other golf courses that we played on considering that Ballantrae is a public course. Tranquil and serene surroundings greeted us and what could we say about the hospitality of our hosts – Susan and Don Dizon, who provided us with delightful dinner after our round of golf. That arroz caldo hit the right spot helped eased the pain a bit to a few after a disheartening humiliation by the golf course. On behalf of Prez Joey C. and the members, SGC would like to thank the Dizons for their generosity.

Haunting task of solace was not evident last Sunday as no one remembered to bring a camera to give the turnout at Don’s place something to ponder about. Anyway thanks to Julio R. using his phone, took sample pics to snoop on.

Don pics here

Jojo D

ROUND: We heard through the grapevine that Jojo D. played the course smartly and the proof to that was his impressive net score of 66. Jojo claimed that this was so sweet ‘cuz he finally snapped out of his funk. A disheartening close second losing to someone repeatedly by a stroke was Ed I. who posted net of 67. Julio R. was one of those shooting high 60s tailing with net 69.

NASSAU: Out of funk and showing promise of a comeback, Jojo D. took the daunting task of grabbing the overall and the front nine. Julio R. sizzled with a net 34 deservedly snatching the back nine.

Closest to the pin: When you’re hot, you’re hot. Once again another Jojo D’s keeper by taking the front par three with Bert C. taking the back. A few people were asking if Bert C. used a driver to get to the green. To get your answer in which a minimal fee is probable, please query Fred DR. & Exe N. who were part of the threesome.

SUPER SERIES: Jojo D. poured everything he’s got to reward himself of the biggest prize of them all by winning his fourth gem for that Sunday –the Super Series. Ed I. who lost again by another slimmest margin of one stroke came second. Julio R. grabbed third while one of our newcomers, Sam K. took his second Super Series win placing fourth.

Ed I

POY: Well, Ed I. after feeling crabby about losing a stroke here and there surprisingly took the outright lead over Manny C. by…….you guessed it….a stroke. This was the only change on the leaderboard as everyone dropped down a position when Ed surged to the very top. Jimmy M. placed third followed by Levi M. in fourth and Paolo B, trailing in fifth place. Please check the complete scoreboard posted in ‘Year to date results’.

Bingoy P

SENIOR POY: This is what it is. Seniors against seniors. It shows on the ever-changing and unpredictable leaderboard that it is not easy to be consistent as far as your game is concerned when father time is calling. We could hear bone crackling every time a senior hits a shot. Changing of the guards showing a new face taking the lead. Bingoy P. leads all ten players with good ten completed net scores of 739 four strokes better than the second placed Seho O. who is tied with another player. Two strokes behind Seho in fourth place is Jun P. followed by Mar DV in fifth separated by a stroke. This is one contest that is so close with four games to go. One precaution: The winner will be subjected to GPED (Geritol Performance Enhancing Drug) test.

Manny M.

MIP: Manny C. still sits atop the leaderboard but Jimmy M. popping into the picture with a good performance Sunday that brought his ending handicap index lower and relegated Ed I. from second place to third place. Jimmy trails Manny by mere 2.0 points now. Julio R. and Paolo B. came in fourth and fifth respectively. Good run for Jimmy but I got a feeling Manny won’t let him get any closer. Anybody else is so far behind that these two stalwarts are the only ones battling for the title with five games to account for. We are all keeping an eye on this exciting race, aren’t we boys?

ANNOUNCEMENT: For those who weren’t in attendance, it was voted by majority of members to have a banquet this year sometime in October. Please wait for further notice for exact time and date. Joey C. also announced that we will conduct banquet attendance next Sunday.

SGC awaits the time Sebastian Demelo will show up and play with us again.

Congratulations to the winners.