Tentative 2012 Golf Schedule

Its been a slow first two months as far as golf goes. I could count them on one hand: Asian Tour Final Stage Qualifying, Razon Invitational, then the Asian Tour Philippine Open.  Soon after however, we're going to go big week in and week out.  It'll be an endurance test.  Then again, the best way to improve is to play competitively.

Thank you ICTSI for all the support! 

Proposed 2012 Tournament Schedule

Tours to be played on this year

• PGT – Philippine Golf Tour
• ASEAN Tour
• ADT – Asian Developmental Tour
• Asian Tour

March 8-11 – ADT Impian Masters, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

March 14-17 – Asian Tour Cambodian Open

March 22-24 – ASEAN Tour Singha Pattaya, Thailand

March 28-30 – PGT Splendido, Tagaytay

March 29-April 1 – Asian Tour Panasonic Open, Delhi, India

April 4-7 – ADT Johor Classic – Malasyia

April 5-8 – Asian Tour Handa Classic – Singapore

April 18-20 – PGT John Hay, Baguio

April 25-28 – PGT Sherwood Classic*

April 26-29 – ADT Clearwater Masters, Perak, Malaysia

May 3-6 – ASEAN Luang Prabang Laos Open, Laos

May 10-13 – ADT A’Famosa Classic, Malaysia

May 23-25 – PGT Eagleridge

May 30-June 1 – PGT Alabang Ryder Cup

June 6-8 – PGT Eastridge

June 14-17 – Asian Tour Queen’s Cup, Thailand

June 19-22 – PGT Malarayat

June 21-24 – ASEAN Tour Phuket, Thailand

June 27-30 – PGT Southwoods*

June 25-28 – ADT Terangganu Masters – Malaysia

July 5-8 – ADT Taman Dayu Championship, Indonesia

July 5-8 – ASEAN Tour, Malaysia

July 18-20 – PGT Negros Occidental Bacolod

July 25-27 – PGT Iloilo

August 8-10 – PGT Pueblo, Davao

August 15-17 – PGT Rancho Palos Verdes – Cagayan

August 23-26 – ADT Ballantine’s Championship, Taiwan

August 30 – September 2 – ASEAN Singha Esan Open, Thailand

September 4-8 – PGT / ADT Aboitiz Cebu

September 11-15 – PGT / ADT Orchard

September 13-16 – Asian Tour Yeangder C’ship, Taiwan

October 4-7 – ADT Sarawak Classic, Malaysia

October 11-14 – ASEAN Palembang Musi C’ship, Indonesia

October 16-19 – PGT Luisita

October 18-21 – ASEAN Ancora Classic, Jakarta

October 24-26 – PGT Calatagan

November 1-4 – ASEAN Sabah Masters, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

November 8-11 – ADT KL Masters, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

November 14-16 – PGT Canlubang

November 21-24 – PGT Wack Wack

The Feeling of Winning a Lottery

During the Pro-Am of the Razon Invitational, I felt like I had won the lottery.  There were 5 raffle prizes to be given away that included some Apple products like iPhones, iPads, Macs and lastly, a Samsung 46 inch LED 3D television.

Raffles like these get you really excited when you start to envision yourself that perhaps it could be your lucky day. But then we more often than not, fall back to earth when we hear the name that was called isn't ours.  As if, "luck like that doesn't happen to me." Not that I was pessimistic about raffles but really, the best attitude to have to sit in your seat and wait patiently.

When it came to the final grand prize, as I was chewing my mango dessert, I was shocked that my name was called for the Samsung 3D HD TV!

'Wow' was all I could say for the longest time. I was on such a high.

Thank you again to ICTSI and Mr. Razon for sponsoring such a grand event for The Country Club members and professionals.

I have decided to sell this luxurious gift to use it instead of entertainment but as an investment for my future.  Selling this T.V. would provide me the capital to enter into several international tournaments this year where I can gain experience and improve my game against the best.

Here is some information which I put on Ebay and Sulit.com on how to purchase if you are interested.

http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/5015730/Samsung+3D+HD+LED+46+inch+TV+%28UA46D6600%29

http://www.ebay.ph/itm/110831524244?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_742wt_959

Thoughts on Firsts and Philippine Open 1st Round

Today was the first round of the Philippine Open.  Like last year, this tournament is an Asian Tour sanctioned event.  In a nutshell, I shot a 74 which in the challenging Wack Wack East course, I'll take it. 5 shots off the lead and solid opening round.  I find 4 day events to be a marathon.  Still a long ways away and a lot of golf to be played.

I remember those nerves last year, stepping onto the first hole and having my name called on the microphone to hit the first tee shot.  The whole scenery at that moment felt different and out of the ordinary.  Commotion of players, spectators, volunteers, media in the near background.  Sign boards of sponsors out left and right.  Suffice to say, not your typical weekend round of golf with just you, your buddies, and the starter on the first tee.

In addition, last year was my first Asian Tour event.  Despite having played several local pro events prior to that, this wasn't the same.  To relate this to the non golfer, there's always a mix of beauty and disaster in firsts.  The first time driving a car, your first kiss, your first job interview, your first high school dance, your first time walking... Ok, maybe not the last but my point is, one thing is for sure: They're memorable. Yet at the same time, there's an element of disaster.  Sometimes, firsts go your way but more often than not, they don't.  Your state of mind is out of its comfort zone. You tremble.  You're raw.  You're exposed. You find grief in pondering why it didn't work out. But sooner or later, you're aching to tackle the challenge once again.  

At that point, you are more prepared.  You're more comfortable.  The once daunting task may still seem challenging but you manage it better.  You slowly shift your coordination from the conscious to the unconscious as it becomes more natural to you.  Your body and mind is in a familiar position so your heart rate settles.  Your true ability presents itself at the state of calm, when fear is out the door.

Playing for the second time in this event and bringing a mindset of finding fulfillment simply golfing and attempting to play great rather than finding fulfillment based solely on results has been the key for the week.  A stronger mind doesn't guarantee improved results but at least it gives you the best chance to be happy and play your best.  As a golf saying goes: You have to give up control to gain control.

Fresh Start to Blogging 2012

Fresh Start to Blogging!

            It has been a while since writing the last blog.  First and foremost, apologies go out to those following the blog. I promise 2012 will be updated more constantly with happenings both on and off the golf course. 

The long stretch between writing this blog entry and the previous one in November of 2011 is what I would characterize as the exercise effect. You know how when you become so eager to exercise, that you’ll go on your routine and do it everyday. It would seem to fit into your lifestyle, thus becoming a part of your everyday activity.  However, you skip one day, then the following day, then before you know it, you haven’t had the chance to exercise for a week! This daily routine of yours seems to fit less and less into your schedule until you realize that the once commitment you had to exercising is gone.  The less you do it, the more detached you get. 

On a parallel note, this is what happened to my blogs. Skipping writing about the final tournament in Wack Wack led to skipping writing entirely about December in Florida or Christmas in New York. Some super totally awesome stuff that will be remembered only through pictures, videos and of course memories minus the blog writeups.

This phenomenon can happen to anything your life. I only used the exercise example to portray what happened to the lack of blog writeups but we can also examine common places where this occurs. 

Friendships and relationships – Hanging out with the same group of people becomes easy when you see each other almost everyday. But what happens when you go a week, a month without seeing them. Then doesn’t it feel like that one person or group that once was part of you now has no space in your day for you?  How about activities like playing sports, going to Church, saying your nightly prayers? 

Now we do understand that we are creatures of habit, but I also wanted to point out that once a certain habit is broken, then we individuals move onto something else. 
Commitment is the main issue here.  Since our daily time is limited, we all must prioritize.  A good friend just told me today that asking ourselves what our purpose for all our actions will help us get a better understanding of differentiating between the activities that will help us grow and nurture as individuals and the ones that are simply a distraction.

Prior to beginning the first sentence of this blog, I had no idea where this blog entry was headed. I thought more of giving a recap of my January golfing experiences, but I also felt the urge to deviate and post about the wealth of guidance and inspiration I have received lately from loved ones – friends and family.  It is my wish to share such knowledge of empowerment to others as well.

Well, I hope that gave you some intellectual stimulation! ‘Till tomorrow, peace!

PGT Canlubang Recap

Written: November 11, 2011

            Another challenging week in the books.  It was a stern test of hanging in there mentally and through physical pains.  The mental test being that I haven’t found momentum in my game over the past 7 weeks since returning to playing form since the bulging disc in the back healed up.  The physical pain was something new.  This time, the pain came from the left middle finger, which extended down to the center of my palm.

Fishing in Montecito

Introducing Olga to the life in the house

Cocah Nes, Marco, Chuck, and I bonding

            It was difficult to swing as the pain felt like needles stuck in the hand everytime I made contact with the ball.  The driver swing was weak and same with the irons.  At least for the irons, I could drop the club down and let the weight of the club make contact on the ball and the ball would go the same distance.  With the driver, it required a lot more strength and since the left hand had barely a grip on the club, this wasn’t possible.

            With drives that carried 220 yards and with constant pain lingering in the left hand, it was up to will power to carry on and to find a way to score.  With two rounds in the books and a 4 over total (75-73), making the cut was a feat in itself.

            For the final round, Olga and her cousin Maanne were supportive in coming out to watch the day’s action.  With a bogey, birdie, birdie start and the ball striking looking as crisp as ever despite the intense pain, I felt that I not only could play through it, but could play through it shooting a good score.  But things after that point went south.  For whatever reason, the ball didn’t go the right spots and the little mistakes caused immediate bogeys and doubles.  The final score for the day was a 6 over par 78 for the final round. A 10 over par total was good for 36^th place.

Grabbing the hand and easing the pain

            I’m entirely grateful for Olga and Maanne to come out and support from the morning range session to the end of the round.  Upon leaving Canlubang, we went to Paseo in Nuvali to grab a bite in a Japanese restaurant.  Thanks to their company, it eased the disappointment of finishing the tournament in that fashion.

            In the coming days, only one strategy is needed and that is to both reset and rest the physical pain that’s lingering and do the same with the mental state.  Going 3 weeks in a row playing Caltagan, the Sabah Masters in Malaysia, then in Canlubang took a toll because of an inner battle against my own game through those golf rounds.  Things ought to turn around for the better with less worry and going back to playing the game with enjoyment.

Sabah Masters 3rd and Final Rounds

To leave you with a few pictures of the last two rounds... It didn't go as well as I continued to search for consistency with the ball striking. A 40th place finish after four days.  It will be best to accept and look forward. To stay into process and let the results follow.

Here's a list of a few of the top guys. Congratulations to good buddy Anthony Fernando for a strong finish, just one short of the win.

After the third round

Sutera Habour Golf Club .. 3rd - 6th November 2011

Final Results Report

Pos.	Player Name	Total (USD)	-Par+	Score	R1	R2	R3	R4
1	Wisut ARTJANAWAT (THA)	9,750.02	-2	278	72	68	72	66
2	Nicholas FUNG (MAS)	5,259.48	-1	279	70	68	72	69
2	Anthony FERNANDO (PHI)	5,259.48	-1	279	68	70	71	70
4	Rory HIE (INA)	2,760.73	+1	281	71	71	71	68
4	Tanatchan PUAKTES (THA)	2,760.73	+1	281	68	73	71	69

40

Carl SANTOS-OCAMPO (PHI)

456.96

+18

298

73

73

74

78

ASEAN Tour Sabah Masters 1st and 2nd Round

Written: November 4, 2011

            Two rounds are in the books here in Kota Kinabalu’s ASEAN Tour Sabah Masters.  Not having played a practice round prior to the start of event, I teed it up yesterday for the first round.  The good thing was that upon arrival two days ago on Wednesday evening, Quino, Jet, and Glenn accompanied me to check out the course.  Since it was 7:30pm and dark already, I thought we going to eat dinner at the clubhouse so I wondered why they told me to bring my golf clubs.  After the short shuttle ride from the hotel to the golf course, I noticed there were lights all over.  Sutera Golf Club has night golf!  We even asked to play a few holes which would have been great but they said they had closed the course already.  Instead, we spent quality time practicing our short games on the well-lit practice green.

            The following day on Thursday, it was time to tee it up, first off at 8am.  Unfamiliar with the course, reliance on the course guide was essential.  Thanks to the detail of yardages and slopes, it didn’t feel like I was losing out by missing a practice round.  The struggles on the first round came with the full swing.  I didn’t hit a single green on the front nine and shot 4 over par.  Finding my timing was very difficult but the good thing was that it didn’t get to my head and I remained calm.  After staying patient and finding the right swing thought that would get me through the round, it clicked on the back nine.  Hitting most of my fairways and 7 greens, I turned it around to shoot a 1 under 35, a total of 3 over 73.  The course played to a par 70 since two of the par 5’s were converted into extremely difficult par 4’s.

            For the second round today, Friday, I drew a later tee time of 8:54am.  The swing was a little better than yesterday for the most part, but there’s still some work to do.  The short game had its moments with some good shots around the green and a few holed putts especially on the back nine.  Nines of 39-34 to turn in another 73.  Tied for 12^th place, cleared the cut by 10 shots.

            Right after the round, Glenn, Quino, Jet and I got some good practice on the range and the putting green.  Tee time for the third round is at 8:20am.  The goal of making the cut: check.  On the range this afternoon, I found something that helped my ball striking tremendously.  Planning on taking it to the course and going low tomorrow folks!

            Time to get a good dinner in with the boys.  We’ll check out the mall this time.  Maybe some KFC or Kenny Rogers.