MASTER BLASTER
Neil Bravo
The last time I covered the PAL Interclub was in 1999 when the longest-running club golf tournament played its 52nd edition here in Davao.
Now, 10 years later I am back writing my pieces on the Interclub and playing in the media tournament. It sure feels good to be back and to renew friendship with the guys in the sportswriting fraternity.
There are so many changes though.
Where we used to cover the PAL Interclub as a recognition of our profession, I have to literally squeeze myself through a tight cordon now. I do not mind a bit. With or without accreditation, I will continue to write what’s worth wrestling wits with. With or without invitation, I will continue to write my PAL Interclub Diaries.
While some think this is a privilege, I still consider this as another assignment. Another sports event worthy of sharing your thoughts with to the reading public.
I am sure the people from PAL, especially Atty. Doming Duerme, whose humble beginnings in golf I have chronicled including the infamous this-tee-shot-is-for-the-photographer ceremonial ball back in 1997 in Bacolod.
For its thick plot and dramatic finishes, I have considered the Interclub as among my favorite coverage. There is always a story behind the story. And just as when you are ready to wrap up your story, a late development would change the climax of the unfolding epic.
The powers of old, Canlubang and Luisita—theirs were the string of tight finishes, complex rivalries and time-honored loyalties. The new muscles, Southwoods and The Country Club—theirs are the spices that makes this brew a heady mix of twists and turns, and financial strengths.
For sure, the economic crisis also took a swing on the powers of the Interclub. The club that weathers this crunch will be a force not only this year but in the years to come.
And then there is always the friendship to look forward to. New friendships forged. Old friendships rekindled.
I may have not earned back my spot in the roster of Interclub media regulars but I know PAL’s own strengths is in its recognition of commitment and loyalty.
If I don’t. Thanks anyway. As my idol and kumpadre Al Mendoza would put it proudly on his shirt—All you need is love.
Oh, yes. I had fun sharing the music from Al’s ipod—armed to the teeth with a collection of Beatles, Queen, and Billy Holiday. Not even Master Blaster’s or Joe Black’s collection can beat that.
***
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. To my momma who turned 77. I’ll be home soon and I’ll do the cooking for you, mom. That’s a promise.
(COMMENT on this article at www.neilbravo.blogspot.com)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Curious Case of Cartnapping
From my PAL Interclub Diaries, I wrote:
Question: What’s the penalty for hitting a wrong ball in golf?
Answer: If you play the wrong ball, except in a hazard, you lose the hole in match play or is penalized two strokes in stroke play.
Question: What is the penalty if, after hitting a wrong ball, a player drives the wrong cart?
Hahaha. That’s quite a story. A curious case of cartnapping.
The moral of the story is—never blame your caddie for your misfortunes, if anything can go wrong, it will. Even twice over.
Poor caddie was left hanging by the correct cart, wondering how the heck she was blamed for the wrong ball.
Question: What’s the penalty for hitting a wrong ball in golf?
Answer: If you play the wrong ball, except in a hazard, you lose the hole in match play or is penalized two strokes in stroke play.
Question: What is the penalty if, after hitting a wrong ball, a player drives the wrong cart?
Hahaha. That’s quite a story. A curious case of cartnapping.
The moral of the story is—never blame your caddie for your misfortunes, if anything can go wrong, it will. Even twice over.
Poor caddie was left hanging by the correct cart, wondering how the heck she was blamed for the wrong ball.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Falling in love again
MASTER BLASTER
Neil Bravo
Falling in love again
(From my PAL Interclub Diaries)
I have a secret to share.
I think I’m in love again.
It took me a long ten years to rekindle a feeling towards an old fling.
I thought I could not even touch her again. For years, she spent a useless, lifeless life (if there’s a term like one) away from where she used to be walking the along vast ramp made only for her kind. I did not mind her. I did not have time to think of her. She was almost a forgotten commodity.
When I picked her up a month ago from the poor state she was in, boy, she was rusty and ugly. I had to get her a good bath, buff her and rub off the rust. Some of her senses are gone. She was not the usual bootylicious girl. Gone is 4 which snapped when I tried to use her once and that was six years ago. Gone is 6 and my favorite 7. I don’t know where they are now. It’s hard feeling her inside without the ones I used to squeeze my fingers with.
She still felt smooth in the face, notwithstanding the age and the inactivity. Her curvaceous body is still firm despite some unsightly stains. She may no longer be the bubbly chick she used to be when she was younger and I was more active. But, dude, she is still hot.
In the last 10 years, I took her out only once and that was a forgettable date. She stood her ground though with the other beauties then.
Time indeed really flies.
This is the first time I had her for two straight rounds in two days and in two different places.
Ask me. Is she still hot? Depends on how much pressure I made.
She still got the merchandise to keep me on the rise. Never looking up, I had my eyes only at the point where she passes. Where she makes contact. Where she kisses my balls.
She had my balls flying through the oddest of lies. With or without backswings. Man, those were the greatest climaxes I had in a decade. She saved my round, tapping my balls in both times. She was on top of the situation, even when I was about to lose my head.
Boy, I love her.
This could not have happened. Some guys set it up.
And yes, Philippine Airlines via the 62nd PAL Interclub here in Davao.
It felt like I was flying PAL on cloud nine, even when it was over. I took a long glance at her from a distance as she was lifted to the car. A lot of guys are inside the cramped van. I feared for my lady. I took her out, carried her on my shoulders like I used to. Then caught up with my old buddies Nimrod Quinonez of Freeman Cebu, Al Mendoza of Business Mirror, rulesman Jake Ayson, and the guys from the newly formed Golf Addicts from the Media (GAME) an idea of Roy Geonzon of DXUM which now counts among its members Moses Billacura (Edge), Alex Roldan (Edge), Jon Develos (Mindanao Times), Bong Gonzaga (DXUM) and this hopeless romantic who has found love again in golf.
Meet my girl, Flo G.
That’s my golf set.
Handle with care, please. Don’t you wish your girlfriend is hot like her?
CONGRATULATIONS. To Ernie Gonzales, Sports Features Editor of the Inquirer for winning his first PAL Interclub Media Tournament and the Iking Santos Cup that goes with it. Too bad for my good friend and flightmate Roy Geonzon of DXUM Davao who could have won it if not for some scorecard ‘malfunction’.
Neil Bravo
Falling in love again
(From my PAL Interclub Diaries)
I have a secret to share.
I think I’m in love again.
It took me a long ten years to rekindle a feeling towards an old fling.
I thought I could not even touch her again. For years, she spent a useless, lifeless life (if there’s a term like one) away from where she used to be walking the along vast ramp made only for her kind. I did not mind her. I did not have time to think of her. She was almost a forgotten commodity.
When I picked her up a month ago from the poor state she was in, boy, she was rusty and ugly. I had to get her a good bath, buff her and rub off the rust. Some of her senses are gone. She was not the usual bootylicious girl. Gone is 4 which snapped when I tried to use her once and that was six years ago. Gone is 6 and my favorite 7. I don’t know where they are now. It’s hard feeling her inside without the ones I used to squeeze my fingers with.
She still felt smooth in the face, notwithstanding the age and the inactivity. Her curvaceous body is still firm despite some unsightly stains. She may no longer be the bubbly chick she used to be when she was younger and I was more active. But, dude, she is still hot.
In the last 10 years, I took her out only once and that was a forgettable date. She stood her ground though with the other beauties then.
Time indeed really flies.
This is the first time I had her for two straight rounds in two days and in two different places.
Ask me. Is she still hot? Depends on how much pressure I made.
She still got the merchandise to keep me on the rise. Never looking up, I had my eyes only at the point where she passes. Where she makes contact. Where she kisses my balls.
She had my balls flying through the oddest of lies. With or without backswings. Man, those were the greatest climaxes I had in a decade. She saved my round, tapping my balls in both times. She was on top of the situation, even when I was about to lose my head.
Boy, I love her.
This could not have happened. Some guys set it up.
And yes, Philippine Airlines via the 62nd PAL Interclub here in Davao.
It felt like I was flying PAL on cloud nine, even when it was over. I took a long glance at her from a distance as she was lifted to the car. A lot of guys are inside the cramped van. I feared for my lady. I took her out, carried her on my shoulders like I used to. Then caught up with my old buddies Nimrod Quinonez of Freeman Cebu, Al Mendoza of Business Mirror, rulesman Jake Ayson, and the guys from the newly formed Golf Addicts from the Media (GAME) an idea of Roy Geonzon of DXUM which now counts among its members Moses Billacura (Edge), Alex Roldan (Edge), Jon Develos (Mindanao Times), Bong Gonzaga (DXUM) and this hopeless romantic who has found love again in golf.
Meet my girl, Flo G.
That’s my golf set.
Handle with care, please. Don’t you wish your girlfriend is hot like her?
CONGRATULATIONS. To Ernie Gonzales, Sports Features Editor of the Inquirer for winning his first PAL Interclub Media Tournament and the Iking Santos Cup that goes with it. Too bad for my good friend and flightmate Roy Geonzon of DXUM Davao who could have won it if not for some scorecard ‘malfunction’.
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