Nine months ago, I finally decided to use the set of golf clubs that was a gift to me from my son-in-law Martin. Off I went to Ace Driving Range (formerly Maru Driving Range) beside Don Antonio Royale Village, Commonwealth Avenue after some prodding of my office mates at SSS who are avid golfers. The manager of the driving range and my office mates gave encouraging words as far as my first few strokes were concerned. I remembered the Manager commented that perhaps I am a good dancer as shown in the way I hit the balls! During those moments of my first driving range experience, I was still lukewarm if golf is really for me. I had some hesitations despite the words of encouragements that I got.
I was in the middle of our three times a week tapings for “May Bukas Pa” when I had that initial driving range experience. So, on the first taping day after it, I narrated with my co-actors particularly with seasoned golfers Jaime Fabregas and Tonton Gutierrez my experience in the driving range. These two guys encouraged me to pursue golfing.
With a bit of hesitation, I went back to the driving range from time to time whenever my schedule allowed it. My office mates continued to give me encouragements to give golf some serious attention.
Last month, I made my visits to the driving range more frequent and with my daughter Purita on vacation and only doing volunteer works for the bar operations in the UP College of Law, I tagged her along for her to relax from the readings of cases and more importantly to have bonding moments. We were lucky that our mentor Mr. Tony Diaz was on the driving range the first time that my daughter joined me on the range. Mr. Diaz who is in his mid 60′s is the recognized guru of SSS golfers giving free lessons to interested would-be golfers. When I asked my daughter if she want to try hitting the balls, she smiled and stood up. I asked Mr. Diaz to please teach my daughter the basics of golf. I attentively watched Mr. Diaz giving my daughter the ABC’s of golf. It was some sort of a refresher course for me from Mr. Diaz. The moment my daughter started to hit the balls, Mr. Tony commented that my daughter was doing it right, making the shoulder a pendulum, etc… When it was my turn to hit the balls, I practiced what I saw: Mr. Diaz couching my daughter and my daughter executing what was taught to her. I started to hit the balls until I heard Mr. Diaz shouted, “that is it Egay, now you are doing it right!”
Two weeks ago, after I made a nice series of consistently straight hits reaching beyond the 100 yards marker using the driver, I told myself, Egay, say yes to the invitation of your office mates to join their May 15, 2010 golf game.
I texted Tonton Gutierrez to ask him for the brand of golf shoes he was telling me to be a good pair for beginners and where can I buy it. I went to the driving range in Ortigas and looked for Etonic golf shoes as advised by Ton. However, it was out of stock, but there was an available pair of Lynx shows. I got a pair.
One week before the game, I already had the golf shoes. I made a check list of things that I should have for my first 18 hole golf game. I asked for assistance and tips from Tonton who was very helpful. Since the original plan of my office mates was to have the game at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course, Tonton texted me the name of his caddie and his cellphone number so I can contact him. Tonton said caddie Bob will be very helpful and he could give me pointers on what to do for every situation along the fairways and on the green. However, my office mates decided to finally have the game at the Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club.
A day before the game, I did some cramming: I passed by the driving range after office and hit two buckets of balls. I was very much excited but I was entertaining some doubts if I was really making the right decision, if I would be able to finish the 18 hole game with decent performance and if I would be able to complete the course before sunset!
After the cramming session at the driving range, I remembered that I should protect my skin from the scorching sun. So, I passed by the mall, bought a pair of arm sleeve (popularly known as the tricycle drivers’ sleeve), a bottle of sunblock and a muslim scarf. (to be continued)
