Another rain threat forecasted, another dud of a weather with temps on the cooler side of things at nineteen degrees Celsius. Nicer. Twenty-one players plus two guests got lucky at Royal Ontario last Sunday that started the day with gloomy dark clouds hoovering around but guessed what, a spray of sunshine happened as we played on in the afternoon. Most of us preferred this kind of weather singularities rather than having a super warm atmosphere, did we not?

How was this for showing up in his ever first round with SGC? Unlikely to be a contender for the day’s prize, Manny Marquez who sparsely played a year ago surprise everyone by showing up, tripled his first three holes with a taste of two birdies plus a few pars in his round, still managed to finish at top of the world with the lowest net score of 65. Talked about not losing hope and confidence later in a round after that early misgivings, huh?

Worth mentioning: How about the effort of these two members signing other net scores in the 60s – JC Montilla and Bingoy Peña? Respectively they posted a net round of 66 & 69.

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Manguerra posting five birdies altogether in his round helped himself sit at best gross of the day with remarkable 78. Nice to see that familiar swagger again in him.

This latest round of golf so far unlike the previous three rounds did not yield any ties concerning best gross and net scores. Felt like It is going to be lonely at the top.

Nassau corners: Manny Marquez almost got a sweep winning all corners…. almost. With net 65 Manny convincingly bagged the total net as well as the front nine. Ron Wilson another member playing in only his second game of this early season, fired pars in his last six holes by grabbing the back nine.

Closest to the pin contest: One member showing up for the first time as well, Pat Deoca shot the closest on par 3 eight hole while Ross Bautista winning this contest for the second time let loose a wonderful shot at the hard pin location eleventh hole.

 

 

 

 

 

So far three members playing sparingly won something during the four-game stretch. Realizing that first timer is a charm adding that maybe in consciousness resting a bit may be good for your game?

Monthly contest: It is getting tight up on the leaderboard folks. Almost five players are continuing to catch up with the leaders – JC Montilla & Rey Plaza with three net score of 209. Bingoy Peña, Seho Oh, Jojo Dizon, Jimmy Manguerra, & Mike Montilla, are within three strokes or less behind the leaders with only one game to go.

Super Series concludes this Sunday, your last chance to join.

That’s all folks. Many thanks to the round of drinks from the winners and the deeeeelicious ‘9/11 phone call’ chicharron brought by Jess Velarde.

Congratulations to the winners.

Announcement: This is quite important. Please note that we will take attendance to our round of golf on June 3^rd at Station Creek this Sunday at Royal Woodbine. Being a private golf course, their policy of submitting confirmed number of players eight days prior to our game is a must. If you commit to play and not able to show up, SGC has no choice but to pay the green fee in your absentia. The green fee then is taken out of your deposit. You may not be able to play if you did not confirm. So kindly make your commitment between now and this Sunday at Royal Woodbine to Joey Cruz, Rey Plaza and me either by email or our web site.

For a while last Sunday at Royal Woodbine golf course, there was a threat of intermittent rain for darker clouds were imminent in the horizon. At nineteen degrees Celsius, it was the sporadic sun that came up instead and the rain never came. Not until twenty-one players plus three guests finished their rounds – what a lucky break from mother nature.

Are the golf courses becoming less and less challenging this year or players are significantly getting better? In this equation at this early stage of our summer past time, I’d say perceptibly it is the latter. Three different golf courses SGC had played so far, I never seen low scoring unveiled by players producing a lot of ties with the same low scores as well. The renaissance men, big hitting Ross Bautista and Joey Cruz prevailed in the partially soak laden course landing themselves the best gross score of the day, signing an 81. What an honest to goodness performance by these two men.

 

 

 

 

 

Prize of the day came about to another renaissance man, Bingoy Peña who grounded out a sparkling net of 66 alongside Mike Montilla, SGC’s two-time POY champion year 2007 & 2015. Noticeably after the round, few members distinctly saw an ear to ear wry smile on Bingoy’s face as he was turning in. And it stayed ‘til we left the premises. And on to his sleep because of more to come? There’s a lot of ways to skin a cat, so they say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nassau event: As promised, more to come for Bingoy P’s efforts last Sunday by staging a winning front, back and total but he was not alone in all categories except the total net score. Jojo Dizon shared the front with him, while two other effervescent seniors – Mar DeVeyra & Seho Oh earned back nine ties with him as well. Good shooting, seniors.

 

 

 

 

 

Accuracy shot contest: Yeah, it was him again Bingoy P. took the honours of shooting the closest on par 3 hole seven while Ed Ilao got the best shot at the longer par 3 hole fifteen.

 

 

 

 

 

A sophomore member, most known for never laying up attitude while playing a long hazardous hole, Jess Velarde took care of firing an eagle on par 5 ninth hole. Way to go.

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the winners.

Compared to last Sunday’s SGC opening round of golf at Century Pines golf course, temps at Carlisle golf course were cooler at around ten degrees Celsius accompanied by howling winds. We got the sun beaming down at us thankfully. Amazingly enough, nineteen members showed up plus four guests.

Let us have a look at who’s who after the round.

Jimmy Manguerra, who withstood the cold and windy conditions surged ahead miles away from everybody else with a gross score of 76. Jimmy also won the day’s prize together with Rey Plaza netting a score of 70. A slim stroke behind breathing down their necks were Ed Ilao and Seho Oh.

The way Month 1 contest is trending it seems that one player, Rey P. is running away for now with two games in the record books with his torrid pace in as many starts. If Rey P. keeps it up with two best net score of 135, he will break Bingoy Peña’s record of best three net aggregate score he set up last year at below 200 with 198.

Nassau corners: Bert Cerrudo won the front nine. Three people tied winning the back nine – Jojo Dizon, Jimmy Manguerra & Rey Plaza. Again, with a both net of 70, Jimmy M. & Rey P. tied to grab the total net score for the day.

Closest to the pin contest: Bong Munson got the closest on North par 3 hole 4 while Dave Nelson shot it so close on South hole 7 that he thought he got an ace.

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the winners.

Announcement: Confirm your attendance for next Sunday at Royal Woodbine with 11:00 o’clock AM tee time. Joey Cruz will announce new local rules regarding Royal Woodbine before the round.

We have some new individuals taking attendance in the person of Rey Plaza and Joey Cruz replacing Jimmy Manguerra. SGC is gratified to Jimmy for his many years of doing this job.

 

With mother nature putting us uncomfortably in a situation where SGC’s opening day was in peril with not so ideal weather – snow on the ground and wet conditions, golf courses threatened not to open their facilities. As a matter of fact, the golf course that was scheduled for our second round of golf the following Sunday’s round made a definite cancellation. Luckily, after scrambling and searching for another venue to get a replacement, Carlisle golf course took us in with not much ado. We finally got a break at the last minute for our first round with a playable 15 degrees Celsius, with the sun shining brightly. Century Pines succumbed to open that Sunday and welcomed seventeen players who withstood the uneasy scenario.

So, Century Pines course condition was not that perfect, but we played on. Who got it going early?

Joey Cruz’s best gross score of remarkable 78 reminded us of keeping his foot on the gas the rest of the way last year by winning three majors.

Well, not so fast though. Scoring the best gross score could get you bragging rights but it was the net score that tabulated as the one that counted in this league. We have two players carding the same net score of a whopping 65 – JC Montilla & Rey Plaza thus, deservingly winning the day’s prize. JC Montilla, the 2011 POY champion who we did not hear from a lot last year had risen from the abbeys to claim the honors. Is he giving good sign of things to come? You bet ya. Rey Plaza is one senior member like that good battery that keeps on ticking. A prominent contender who inaudibly got his mojo going when nobody seemed to expect him to be up there on the leaderboard.

Closest to the pin contest: In the accuracy shot of the day arena, Ross  Bautista won the par 3 hole 5 while Jojo Dizon shot the closest on hole 15.

Congratulations to all winners.

 

Sierra Golf Club in behalf of its members who live around the Greater Toronto Area, are overwhelmed to the carnage that happened in Toronto, around Yonge and Finch area. Our hearts reach out to those who lost their loved ones.

In behalf of Sierra Golf Club members, we all share the sorrow of those who perished in that bus crash. May they all RIP.

 HELLO WORLD, MEMBERS ARE YOU READY?

Are you ready for the coming summer season? It is quickly approaching and once again Century Pines Golf Club will host SGC’s opening game of the summer golf season. Two years ago, in 2016, this was the very same site where SCG won its then called Gemini Cup beating four other golf organizations for the GTA trophy. SGC’s aspirations to raise the cup in last year’s GTA rivalry was diminished largely by the lack of participation from its own players for reasons conflicting personal schedules. Who knows, this year’s June date may yield an agreeable setup to those in doubt attending. One question though about players inept participation: Quantity or Quality? I’d leave that to you. Regardless, SGC deserves to be rewarded with a heart felt winning attitude again from its members. Are you listening members? You decided to participate this year’s GTA tournament, mind you – think what you do, do what you think.

GUESS WHO HOSTS THIS YEAR’S GTA TOURNEY?

Amid GTA news, organizers just announced earlier during the winter season that another golf organization was seriously enough to join this yearly competition to be held at Station Creek Golf & Country Club hosted at this time by BIGAT organization. All I could tell you was, the newest entrant called their golf organization Double Blue – no, not the Toronto Argonauts football club. This organization has been around for awhile, so they say. I have learned that a few other GTA clubs had been wooing Double Blue to join this event for years now. The GTA committee decided that everybody is hitting off from the white tees except for the forward tees which are reserved for the ladies. Back to this year’s host, we are fairly thinking rationally if it is only appropriate to expect pomp and the circumstance that will go with marking this year’s anniversary as the last time BIGAT hosted with flair. Full surprises may be in the offing – we’ll never know. It attracts a wild sense of giving it a second thought about partaking in this exclusive one-time summer journey every time BIGAT hosts with grandeur and to me it is forthcoming, for sure. Not going to miss this one for my money’s worth.

GTA team colors are as follows:
o BGAT – PINK
o SOGA – ORANGE
o PHILCAN – RED
o SIERRA – GREEN
o TALAMAK – BLACK
o DOUBLE BLUE – BLUE

SGC AIMS FOR AN AFFLUENT 2018 – YEAR OF THE DOG, ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE CALENDAR

Looking forward to SGC’s expectation for this year:

Rumoured new members at least three of them;

More member participation in the GTA Interleague tournament;

Parity in competition for the three major trophies – POY, SPOY & MIP, which were all won walking away by one-person last year – a first of its kind;

Welcoming to SPOY contest those who are turning senior members this year and for those who are still thinking about joining this rich contest;

More volunteer work amongst members to benefit SGC’s run to a more enjoyable and enthused summer;

& Most important of them all – healthy members.

 JOINING US?

From my own point of view, there is nothing more than I wish for – the importance of youth involvement. Youth revolution idea boasts a lot of energy to everybody and benefits us with revived oomph. It could be more than a far fetch inkling but let’s face it, SGC is getting older as far as the average age membership is concerned. The emergence of some new talent and the revival of several old reliables that we expect to see may turn this juncture to a more stirring year for SGC. Everybody knows that a game of golf is one of the more expensive sports to play, as well as the extreme length of time to play a game – a non-ideal status quo for a sport to people who are just starting a family. At any rate, SGC is happy for what it has got. It is going to be a busy year ahead. Let’s get going.

Will a rejuvenated senior member or a surging veteran member be able to put on a major trophy? Or will one of a younger member in a horde emerge from the pack? We will see. It’s a new day, a new beginning.

Keep a sound mind and body. Spring just sprung. See you next month.

Much appreciation to these people below who made SGC’s banquet a successful and beautiful night. Well done.

Last round of golf, end of season. Where – Kingsforest golf course. Temp conditions – 24 degrees Celsius, sunny. Visions of winning or losing in diverse challenging competitions that came to reality or not, were all in the record books. SGC commends its members for another wonderful golf season. We have done well. Undeniably.

Results were in, so who were the eventual winners?

This member’s golf résumé was already filled with some remarkable accomplishments. Aforementioned rundown of his credentials as he was headed into the final day seeking his sixth, yes you read it right, sixth POY victory in 33 years. His last POY conquest came fourteen years ago in 2003. Joey Cruz who was giving it all to reinforce his chances of longevity competing and staying healthy, deservingly victorious winning this year’s three majors – POY (Player of the Year), SPOY (Senior Player of the year), and MIP (Most Improved Player). Winning these three majors in the same year was never done before by anyone. Did I tell you that he also moonlighted as president of SGC? Hard work paid off, did it not?

Here was why Joey won these big three awards. While playing with him for the last five games, he showed us brilliant display of firing shots at all cylinders shooting the lights out of his fellow competitors. One by one the contenders frittered away their opportunities. He might not win a day prize or two but in his own driven controlled ways, his consistent play, refusal to make huge mistakes proved to be the one that left him ultimately the last man standing.

Month 5, & Super Series 5 Contest: Playing exceptionally consistent for three rounds out of five, would reward you the Month 5 trophy for this contest. This was an impressive win by Bingoy Peña. Why? According to our previous records, nobody, just nobody yet had broken the record of breaking total net score for three collective rounds of 200. He did it in sparkling 198. To add to his hardware collection – this was what materialised when carding the lowest net score for the day – he seized the much-coveted Super Series 5 as well as the day’s prize with a net score of 68. Not bad, huh?

Grand Finals Champion: Tough conditions, tough last two golf courses, you could pick one guy to shoot the lowest aggregate net scores to save your life, I’d take this gritty unwavering member. After the final round, Manny Chea emerged from the shadows of the leading contenders to this contest and made a dramatic comeback to consolidate his win by combined final two Sundays net score of 145.

Year’s Lowest Gross Champion: A category given every year to a player who cards the best gross scores for a season. Yes, gross scores. Its just like taking equity out of a golfer’s capabilities to compete with higher caliber golfers because of the absence of correlated handicap to that individual. Manny Chea & Jimmy Manguerra alternatively showing dominance winning this category year after year. These two members are not demonstrating signs of slowing down for the coming years. It is the nine- time winner of this contest Jimmy M, who took the hardware this year out grossing the defending three-time winner Manny C. Why can’t we rename this contest to their names?

Lowest gross scores of the day: These two gentlemen provided the field with glittering performance that every player would like to emulate. By posting a round gross score of 77, players in their respective foursome were in awe to see an exhibition of very good routine like turn. Who else would do it but the power hitting Manny Chea and the smooth swinging Dave Nelson. Imposing.

 

 

 

 

 

Day prize winners: As mentioned above, Bingoy Peña with his net score of 68 there was another player who posted the same net score to win this contest. Dave Nelson who posted an in-your-face even gross front nine score, could have taken the whole winning spot if not of a little struggle at the back nine. Still an amazing accomplishment.

 

 

 

 

 

Day’s closest to the pin contest:

Hole 4   Lina Mayo

Hole 7   Seho Oh

Hole 14 Bingoy Peña

Hole 17 Jimmy Manguerra

Multiple round winners of the year:

Jojo Dizon 4 wins
Bert Cerrudo 4 wins
Bingoy Pena 3 wins
Ron Wilson 3 wins
Mar DeVeyra 2 wins
Jimmy Manguerra 2 wins

Most successive wins:

Bingoy Pena 3 wins in a row
Ron Wilson 3 wins in a row
Jojo Dizon 2 wins in a row

Lowest gross & net of the year:

Jimmy Manguerra, 73 gross July 23, 2017 at Kingsforest
Ron Wilson, 62 net September 3, 2017 at Westview

Noteworthy shots in a round:

Ross Bautista – Ace at hole 5 at Glen Cedars, June 25, 2017
Jojo Dizon – Eagle at hole 12 at Royal Woodbine, July 2, 2017
Julio Rodriguez – Eagle at hole 4 at Kingsforest, July 9, 2017
Mike Montilla – Eagle at hole 5 at Lakeland/Westview, August 6, 2017

Most welcomed new members:

Erlando Ibañez, Ron Protacio, & Jess Velarde

2016 champions:

POY – Rickey Reyes

SPOY – Rey Plaza

MIP – Rickey Reyes

SGC wholeheartedly thanks its members and those who supported and helped this summer pastime a successful event.

Lots of prayers to SGC’s ex-members who are no longer with us anymore, Tony Domingo & Roscoe Reyes. May they both RIP.

Congratulations to all winners. Have a healthy winter, one and all.

 

This is it folks. One game to go and say aloha to our favorite summer pastime of playing golf. Where did the season go? It was just like yesterday when we were getting ready for our first game of the season at Century Pines some seven months ago. It was still a springy like temperature as we were dressed and bundled up properly for that kind of weather. Nevertheless, we were excited and raring to go to start the season.

Ahhhhhh………time flies when you are having fun.

An unbecoming weather temps in October as if our wishes were satisfactorily granted, eighteen degrees Celsius at last Sunday’s SGC round of golf at Westview golf course greeted twenty-five players with a bright sun smiling all day at us. A perfect day comfortably leaning more on the cooler side. Aspiring contenders jockeying for positions hoping for good turn of events favoring their game to catch the leaders, found a roadblock in the form of Westview golf course. This challenging and difficult course could bite you in the you know what if you were not careful and not bringing your ‘A” game. Time and time again, we got the same impression of degree of scoring with difficulty with this golf course, in truest form. But lo and behold, this was not the buzz that was being heard through the grapevine. As a matter of fact, a number of players loved this golf course because of its difficulty – undulating fairways, fast sloping greens, tree lined on every side of the fairways, but it was the course management’s ill-fated treatment of SGC organization as a whole. Not only for the steep green fee they charged at this time of year but the way the course was prepared for us – missing blue tee boxes, shortage of golf carts, aerated greens without notice, etc. SGC did not beg for premium fees rendered through all these years we played here but then again, giving us a little respect would put us in a very consoled, fitting feeling, wouldn’t you agree? So much for the crabbiness, wait ‘til next year? Not.

So, who defied the difficulty that this course had to offer? This member with a deafening silent demeanor when he played just going about his own business, was the vibrant winner of the days’ prize. With the only player finishing a round in the high 60s, Seho Oh with his very slow, proverbial backswing grabbed the Nassau back nine and total net score of 69. Admired his humility that preceded everything else. Seho who was not fond of using the internet, could perhaps get this accolade to him in some other ways. At least we tried. He sure deserved it.

Julio Rodriguez with a penchant of winning something every week, seized the front nine.

Closest to the pin: Soft-spoken Dave Nelson got the best of the sharpshooters by edging them with his precise shot at the Middle course fifth hole. Jojo Dizon’s shot at Lakeland 7th hole beat two other guys prior.

Grand Finals: With the culmination of this contest next Sunday, here are the top four players who established the biggest chance of winning it after posting lowest net scores last week.
1. Seho Oh 69
2. Jess Velearde 71
3. Jimmy manguerra 73
4. JC Montilla 73

Major, major threat. I may sound like a broken record but inevitability, performance shown from week’s conclusion seemed to fall convincingly to Joey Cruz’ determination to take all three major awards – POY, SPOY, & MIP. Never done before. Sorry to say that the advantage turned out to be a mirage for those who are trying to catch him. Remember those days when Tiger Woods played an event? You could hear other players saying, “We are playing for second place.” Indeed. Take a bow Joey.

Congratulations to the winners.