A Classic Beginning

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 don't know about you but I'm going to submit my resume to the next defense contractor I meet. But I digress (lucky Jerry).

Pabalan's run to the top spot of the Kick-off Classic is, well, classic. The distance between his Patchogue, LI home and Black Bear did nothing to deter his quest for a place among the club's elite golfers. His overall game has improved steadily over the years and has just missed out the Top 12 ranking in 2007 by a few points where he landed the 13th spot. Undetered, he came back in 2008 with a vengeance staying 3 net strokes clear of 2002 POY awardee Rolly Tupaz and Danny Velasquez. His only claim to fame before this was being a co-champion at Beaver Brook last year.

On a different note, the shot of the day clearly belongs to one of FAGA's new members - Frank Asante-Kissi, who struggled with his front nine succumbing to the chilly morning temperature. However, he started the back nine with a monster 300-y drive to the right side of the fairway but fell short of the green landing his approach shot inside the greenside bunker. He blasted 10 yards over the green but came back with a blind chip shot that bounced to the cup for par.

It would be a sin if I end this blog without a special mention of the sweetheart of the day - Samantha Lopez-Edwards, who came into the club house yesterday literally jumping for joy upon seeing the group of Filam golfers milling around the registration table. She is just pure ball of energy with a mean drive and a friendly demeanor to boot.

Lastly, other new members who braved the un-springlike temperatures - Rolan Gutierrez, Jason Gonzales, Renato Nepomuceno, Davis and May Tong, Joel Torrecampo, RJ Hofilena, and returning members Elmer Carido and Flor Estiler - are in for an awesome season as I can already feel it in my bones that another successful year is in the offing.