Filipino American Golfers Association

It started with a threat of rain but the tournament ended up with a beautiful afternoon sun. Anyway, I have an interesting foursome of Neil Pascual, Dr. Dalmy Francisco, and Nelson Perez.

This was the first tournament for Neil and Dalmy for the year 2008. Dalmy claimed that, it was a year ago that he played golf. Golfers as you know are like poker players, you do not know when they are telling the truth.

We have interesting actions in this group. In addition to the skins game and Nassau, we added the longest drive with side action with Neil Pascual.

Being the designated handicap "expert" of the club, I am asked on different occasions how handicapping works and how it affects their scores. After all these years dealing with such seemingly innocuous questions I have decided to create blog specific on the subject matter. I can safely say that a good majority of golfers still have no inkling of how golf handicapping works (not that it's their fault) and how the default handicapping authoriity in the U.S., the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN), came up with the formula to calculate one's golf handicap.

Driving 118 miles each way is not a fun ride for Jerry Pabalan and it is certainly not a welcome thought for an average golfer. But Pabalan is no average golfer. In my opinion, he has the physical skill that puts him ahead of the pack and the mental toughness that can give seasoned texas holdem players a run for their money. Also, Jerry has the drive to continually improve his craft. His regimen of golf practices includes a company-paid round per week - get this - on company time. Is that every golfer's dream job or what?

I received an email from a golf buddy stating that some golfers don't really know how to mark their balls on the putting green. A good majority of golfers put their markers directly behind the ball and a few others in front of it. Some others simply toss their quarters and where it lands near the ball is where it stays. Okay I exaggerated a little bit on the last group. But how exactly do you mark your ball on the putting green? A quick and easy answer is - any way you want it.

It's official, folks. Spring is here! And you know what that means? Time to crank up those squeeky little joints and hit the local driving range. That's right, Tiger-wannabes. Winter blues are over and all the daydreaming of hitting the lush green fairways and self-pity are a thing of the past - at least temporarily.

Ever been hit by an errant golf ball? What are the odds? 10,000 to 1? A million to 1? Will never happen to me?

Guess what? It happened to me while on a practice round at the FilAm tournament in Baguio last December. It was on the 157-yard par-3 11th hole at Camp John Hay on the day before the tournament day when a team mate shanked his tee-shot off to the down-sloping, pine tree-laden rough on the right-hand side of the fairway.

Sometimes I wonder what if: I am not a golfer, what will I be...it must be boring: Imagine you worked so hard and at the end of the day you are glued in watching all the TV commercials,thinking of what to do. I stopped playing tennis due to old and cranky knees,I don't bowl,then what? Eureka I discover golf!!!!!!

The FilAm tournament in Baguio, in my mind, is the golfing gods' gift to the passionate Filipino golfers around the world who love their game and their sanity. It is a delightful week of golf, golf and more golf, not to mention the princely galore of food and non-stop entertainment, and the socializing and networking that happens during and after every round. And the night life - don't even get me started on that one!

My fellow golfers,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Welcome to the 2008 FAGA season.

I am proud to announce that the Board of Directors have negotiated and completed our 2008 tournament schedule. In addition, we have also reserved and booked the venue for our 2008 Awards Night dinner.

Here are the courses we have for 2008

- Black Bear (Franklin, NJ)
- Long Island National (Riverhead, NY) – brunch included
- Links at Shirley (Shirley, NY) – BBQ Lunch included
- Great Gorge (Franklin, NJ)