Filipino American Golfers Association

Click here for 2008 FILAM MASTERS Results

Benno Tan captured the FILAM Masters Championships at Wild Turkey with an amazing run of net 64 after previously posting an early lead with net 66 at Tall Grass. Willy Libid just couldn't overturn the six strokes deficit even with a net 62 at Wild Turkey.

Only in his second year with the club, Tan is one of the new faces topping the LeaderBoard with consistent shot making, and a player to watch in 2008.

The President's Cup has a new monicker - "The Thunderstorm Cup" or the "Heat Wave Challenge" - but however you may call it, Ian Loleng was geared up to the teeth for battle of wits, skills and determination. He didn't have to think twice about driving back from Washington D.C. on Saturday night where he attended his daughter's graduation to catch the 2nd Round of the President's Cup at Great Gorge the next day. Afterall, he is running 2nd in his quest for that elusive major trophy after shooting a net 66 at Shirley three weeks ago.

Click here for final results of 2008 President's Cup

For the past years that I have been a member of FAGA I realized that there is fun and excitement aside from playing on our regular tournaments. Every Tuesday we have a group called "BIAK NA BATO" aka Split Rock Boys composed of members and friends who religiously play and bond together at this hard but well kept Bronx course. This was the idea of our beloved BOD Nick Salubayba in creating a group of members who are free to play every Tueday. The course is not that easy, you have to play it with caution or you will end up scoring in the high 100's.

Click Here for Results of 2008 Kick-off Classic

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.