Dagupan golfers play at Fil-Am

By Al S. Mendoza

WE go golf this time.

First off, cheers to Albert Balingit, Dr. Toto Juan, Dr. Rod Segui, Ping Catayong and Dennis C. Canto.

Frankly, they deserve our warmest, lustiest, applause.

No, they aren’t champs.  N’yet.

But to me, they are already.

That’s because Rene So says so to me.

“They are the chosen ones,” Rene says of the Favored Five.  “I have faith in them.”

The Favored Five are now playing in the Fil-Am Golf Invitational representing Toyota Dagupan-Baguio-La Union Team.

Now on its 63rd year, the Fil-Am is one of the most prestigious team golf events—if not the most prestigious—in the country.

Not only are teams from across the archipelago entered annually but also squads from overseas, including the United States, Okinawa, Australia, Guam, South Korea, Japan, Hawaii and New Zealand, among others.

You just don’t play here, walk in to signify your intention to join.

In the Fil-Am, you can only play when you are invited by the organizers, led by the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay.

If you get the honor to be invited, it’s like a badge pinned on your chest for the rest of your life.

But in order to be able to play a second time, third or fourth time, you still need to receive an invitation by the organizers the following year.

It’s also like that in the US Masters—even the defending champion there needs to receive a written invitation for him from the organizers to be able to defend his crown.

In the ongoing Fil-Am Golf set from Nov. 24 to Dec. 8, if you missed coming back after getting an invite, it will be hard for you to be able to regain your playing status.

For one absent team, at least five teams are in queue to grab the precious slot.

The rules are that strict and the reasons for disqualification/suspension are:

One: Disrespect to the sponsors, tournament officials and staff.

Two:  Unbecoming conduct and gross violations of the Rules of Golf and serious breach of golf etiquette by any team member/s during the tournament.

Three:  Violations of the House Rules of both Clubs—BCC and CJH.

For almost a decade now, I am fortunate to be a member of the Committee as the Co-Chairman of the Rules Committee with Jake P. Ayson, whose wife, Atche Pat Manaois, is a proud daughter of Dagupan City.

Modesty aside, I have officiated in many tournaments both here and abroad but I can tell you this:  The Fil-Am has a special spot in my heart.

Maybe because many amateurs in the world treat it with reverence, the Fil-Am Golf being a product of the strong friendship between the Filipino and American people.

“Please take good care of my players?” Rene So says in his text message before he boarded his jet for Singapore only last Thursday.

I will, Rene, as I also do take care of the rest of the field in the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Meanwhile, enjoy your vacation in the Lion City.

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