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….

Posted below is the annual meeting for Sierra members as posted  today, January 14, 2013 via email by Joey C. Members, please try to check your schedule and reply via email to Joey or blog this site on or before January 16, 2013.

Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: 1410 Unit 4 Victoria Park Ave., Toronto (Restaurant is owned by Levi M.)

Driving direction:
From 401 exit at Victoria Park South head South on Victoria Park until you pass Eglinton
1410 (Unit#4) is on the West side of Victoria Park and just South of Sunrise Avenue.

To all Sierra Golf Club Members, your families, and friends:

May the Peace and Joy of this Holiday Season be yours through the New Year!!

News……news…….news……………

Bingoy Pena who just got backed from Pinas recently has a surprise present to SGC. According to Bingoy, he noticed during our Awards Night last October that the SGC banner that was hanging proudly on the presentation side of the wall that night was so hardly noticeable because of its small size. He also claimed that it even appeared somewhat smaller in photographs. Mind you, Bingoy took the trouble of donating this beautiful banner made of silk about two years ago.

Well, so much so for that banner although we could still use it for future SGC events. Bingoy had another one made and he mentioned that this one is huge, 8 feet x 6 feet to be exact. He got this idea to blast our club member picture-with all members wearing our green uniform and all-on to the huge nylon tarpaulin. This is the very same picture that is on our website. He had a little problem bringing it back to TO because of its huge size but Bingoy says, “This is well worth it”.

Due to copyright issues, this site will no longer display Youtube videos but use links instead.

Click on 1st video showing Manny’s house in LA, the second video shows Manny driving a Ferrari.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxIhWwPDJx8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMek2iFnrYY

It was at that time of the year after last Sunday’s game when players lamented by saying “I shoulda, coulda and woulda done something differently to win, if only . . . . . . . . . . .”

There was no doubt for a minute that under substantial pressure someone would upstage everybody in the last round of golf of the year but nobody knew before then who was going to do it.  If you wanted an equitable playing field that showcased a very close competition, well it happened last Sunday at Westview Golf Course. Any time a determined player shows up to tee off with something vital at stake, he not only demonstrates a steady audacity in fending off several players in winning the most coveted award of the year. People might get to think that this is just an insignificant award. We beg to differ and as a matter of fact, we opine the total opposite. We are talking about the PLAYER of the YEAR award. POY award exemplifies the desire and hard work that rewards a player. Sierra Golf Club proudly embraces this year’s POY winner, Sennix Bontigao. It was a convincing step toward Sennix’ first title. It takes a mentally tough golfer to start mediocre and to finish that strong. Hats off to Sennix for persevering in a narrow win that looked like a three way race.

Let’s not forget to give full admiration to the members who competed this year in which without their presence, it is hard to think that our golf’s summer event would be a successful one. SGC offers gratitude to the officers and volunteers who contributed tirelessly with their service and support.

Other Awards:

MOST IMPROVED:  Exhibiting a level of play throughout this summer that steered to the improvement process of one’s personal game, this award deservedly went to Jimmy Manguerrra.

LOW GROSS CHAMPION:  In golf’s lingo, this player embodies the ability to deliver the club face to the ball effectively and consistently resulting to low scores regardless of respective golf handicap. Jimmy Manguerrra no doubt owned this award.

GRAND FINALS CHAMPION:  The likelihood of getting prepared mentally & physically for the last two pressure pack rounds of golf is contingent to giving the player an advantage to scorch the field and the course.  This award was a cinch to Bingoy Pena.

MONTHLY CHAMPIONS:  These players developed tenacity and self-esteem to win monthly honours.

Month 1: Seho Oh

Month 2: Seho Oh

Month 3: Joey Cruz, Saed Jafari, Seho Oh

Month 4: Fred Halili

Month 5: Manny Marquez, Nap Pascual

SUPER SERIES: How could you forget about these players who showed up and played where it counted?

Super Series 1: Joey Cruz

Super Series 2: Levi Mendoza

Super Series 3: Eddie Ilao

Super Series 4: Fred Halili, Bingoy Pena

Super Series 5: Levi Mendoza

EAGLES: Skills or luck? Remember the saying “You have to be lucky and good”. It is both without a doubt. Here are the players who shot an eagle in order of occurrence.

Julio Rodriguez

Jimmy Manguerra

Mike Montilla

Mike Montilla

To sum it all up, another incredible year it has been. We believe that an accolade is in order so SGC and its President Joey Cruz congratulate all the winners and thank all the members for their support. SGC invites all members together with their significant others as well as their other guests to an entertaining banquet night in three weeks’ time. Fine dining is in the offing and you can enjoy the rest of the evening dancing the night away. Watch the posting of award night news and images later on this site.

I’d like to thank my website coordinator predecessors, Paul Honoridez and Julio Rodriguez who not only unselfishly devoted their time doing this for a long period of time but making a full effort to relate all the information necessary that the members could enjoy. Hopefully someday, somehow, someone will take turn doing the very same chore. Looking forward to working again with Rey Plaza, our fund trusted guardian.

It was a pleasure playing with you all. Stay fit and healthy during the winter and spring season.

See you next summer.

Let’s view last Sunday’s round at Kedron Dells as dramatic as the latest Ryder Cup at Medinah. The scoring outset looked as if it was patterned to get high score from the first foursome to low score down to the last foursome. It proved to be true. The foursomes were arranged by the player’s standing in the POY race. The first foursome carded a net of 75, courtesy of Sennix B. & Levi M. of the second foursome. Then came a 74 by Manny M. It was followed by a 71 by Eddie I. who trailed next. A 70 by Bong M. in the next group ascertained to be the one to beat. Wrong. To everyone’s surprise, the next two foursomes of Mar DV. & Nap P. carded a low net of 68. It was at this point that we convinced ourselves that nobody could top this score anymore as there was only one group still playing. Wrong again. Bingoy P. from the last group submitted a lower net score of 67. He also won the back nine while Mar DV. took the front. Bingoy felt that this was a convincing win as he emerged from deep lull to take this event from the very same course he won a few years back.

Closest to the pin: Jimmy M. took both holes 8^th & 18^th. Guessed he needed this one to pay off most of his betting woes as he posted an unusual high net of 77.

Month 5 contest: Manny M. and Nap P. totalled best three of four net score of 208 tying them for first place. JC M. & Sennix B. knotted third place with 209.

POY news: Musical chairs for the deserving ones involved in this race. With only one game left, most of the players are left outside looking in. Sennix took the outright lead from Joey C. who dropped down to second place. Seho O., remember him? We hope to see him back with his competitive nature that he displayed from the start of this year. He stumbled down to third place. Levi M. admirably climbed to fourth place with Jojo D. sharing fifth place with another player.

Just when you think some things cannot surprise you anymore, well they do. The weather cooperated with the sun out spreading warmth to a bit chilly afternoon. We commend the winners – Bingoy & Mar DV. for buying a round of beer and soft drinks. Also thanks to the “drinking brigade” of JC M., Manny M., Seho O., Levi M., Jojo D., and Saed J. who happened to bring bags of chips for supplanting the flow of beer while we were watching the Ryder Cup at the clubhouse’s cafeteria. Once again, SGC appreciates the assistance of Don D. characteristically for collecting the ‘fund’ from last Sunday.

With so much riding on a win come this Sunday, players who are not contending in some of the prized contests can still redeem themselves by winning the big one – the Super Series 5. This is a vindication that strongly diminishes your year will go unrewarding.

Bring your ‘A’ game next week at Westview!

On a cold day, with the sun occasionally breaking through cloud cover in the middle of the afternoon and the wind howling, no one was tearing up the place except three people who carded a low net round of high 60s – Julio R. shot 68 with both Jun P. & Manny M. shooting 69. It was a resounding win for Julio as he took the low net front nine and overall scores. Jojo D. again won the back nine just like last week tying Seho O. One thing that did not go unnoticed was a low gross of 76 by Jimmy M. who did it with a slight limp to one of his legs.

Race to POY: Not much change here as the top three people are only separated by three strokes between them. Joey C. is still hanging on to the lead by a thread followed by Sennix B. & Seho O. in second and third place respectively. This battle is so close that someone deserving to win has to show the ability to handle the pressure with two games remaining. Rey P. and Levi M. still have a chance of getting to the winning circle. All they need is focus on a good score and see where the rest of the chips fall.

Closest to the pin: According to Bong M. who runs the closest to the pin contest, it was improbable to hold it due to shotgun start. There was another tournament group that started playing simultaneously with SGC.

Race to month 5: This Sunday is the culmination of Month 5 contest. In our assumption those sixteen players with two rounds of golf played this month, still mathematically are in contention. We all need the right scenarios to plunge correctly for this Sunday’s round. Seemingly enough with smiles on their faces because of the current standing at the top are Manny M. and JC M. with total three week net scores of 208 & 209 respectively. Meanwhile with still a round to go, dangerously sitting close at the doorstep with total two week net scores of 134 are the leaders last week – Joey C. & Sennix B.

Mother Nature as expected did not cooperate at all throughout the tournament giving the twenty-three players that showed up something to complain about. There were sporadic showers, then sunshine, then rain in addition to the gusting wind that contributed to low temps hovering around 13 degrees C. PJ P., a familiar face showed up to play last Sunday. Thanks to Julio for treating the boys a round of beer. Levi M. served his delicious pancit and pork sisig. There was an abundance of food as Seho who likened to feed the whole army week in & week out typically brought his usual bags of chips, peanuts and fresh grapes. We appreciate very much this Samaritan & unselfish display of character, don’t we boys?

Cheers to the winners! At the least some people enjoyed a better day than anyone else. Let’s see who’s got the right frame of mind to win going to next week at Kedron Dells for the first of two rounds of the Grand Finals.

Reminder to those players who last played at Kedron Dells which got cancelled. Please do not forget to bring your cancellation stub/receipt to get credit towards your green fee.

Winning POY five times in the past speaks volumes. Joey C. was often teased by fellow players about his personal golf clubs that he uses up to now. They are so old and torn that they look like pre-historic equipment used in the Stone Age era. This is what he says about it: “I really do not worry what they say about my clubs. Why change if they cannot match my five POY awards with their new tech golf clubs?”. In all seriousness folks, Joey C. has proven last Sunday at Century Pines that this is the case as he carded a low net 64 taking the front nine as well.  Jojo D. with a net of 30 took the back tied with Mar DV. Sometimes a game of golf could be demoralizing at times to people and it happens to everybody. Take for example an aspiring game of JC M. He shot a low net 65 losing a stroke to Joey and got beaten by a stroke as well in the back nine. The good news is JC’s game is coming around with three games to play. Our foursome of Sennix B., Manny M., & Levi M. was so competitive that it inspired all of us to flash respective scores. We were so relaxed and enjoying each company that we felt like we were the only ones playing the course.

Closest to the pin winners: Saed J. took the 5^th hole while Jun P. won the 15^th. Both players winning for the second time now.

POY news: A change of pace and leaders. Joey C. who came on the heels of a stagy low net of 64 took the outright lead. Astonishingly for Seho O. who is struggling of late and had the lead for twenty-one consecutive weeks, drops down two spots to third place. Sennix B. is giving Joey a run for his laurels as he stood firm in second place a stroke behind. Jojo D. and Rey P. maintaining their usual place in the sun placed fourth and fifth respectively. It is so close that it is still anybody’s award to win. Do not lose hope folks just as yet. The way to look at it is, with three games to go if your best total of nine games is close to the leaders, you still have a shot at it. You also need a lot of help from the leaders of course for them not to card good scores. Let’s see what happens.

Race to final month: The leaderboard is so crowded that almost everybody got a shot at this thing.  If you have a single game officially registered, you have still a chance of winning with two games to go. Who leads it? Sennix B. & Joey C. sit atop with total net of 134 followed by three players with 137 – Levi M., JC M., and another player.

Twenty-five players who showed up to try their mettle last Sunday could not complain about the perfect weather on top of a very reasonable green fee. We were treated by the winners to a round of beer by the winners at the clubhouse. Afterwards upon an invitation by Joey C., we headed to a Vietnamese restaurant for a stomach warming bowl of soup. The players who showed up at the restaurant thanked Joey C. for footing the bill.

Again congratulations to all winners. See ya all next Sunday. It is a shotgun start at 1:00 PM at Maples of Ballantrae.

“If any of the attending players failed to complete their round due to weather related reason (course closure) during one or both of the scheduled Grand Final (GF) rounds, we will use the last 2 completed scheduled rounds to determine the GF winners.”

Example 1:  1st day GF not completed and 2nd day GF completed.  Use the 2nd GF round and the completed round prior to the 1st GF round.

Example 2:  1st and 2nd day scheduled GF’s not completed.  Use the last 2 rounds completed prior to the GF scheduled dates.

Note: Example of rounds mentioned above are based on rounds officially played before GF.