Kony 2012 YouTube Video: My Take

            Two days ago, I came across this video on Facebook recommended to me by a friend.  The 30 minute video features a warlord from Uganda who has ruled the criminal activities and has allegedly been recruiting boys to his army for years.  The video's intention is to put a spotlight on this man not to glorify him but to raise awareness on the atrocities he has committed to thousands.  According to the international criminal court, he is number one on its criminal list.

            The maker of the video seems to have a good grasp of democracy that if enough support is gathered, the almighty powerful U.S. government can do something about it and intervene.  The video I must say is quite inspirational and very persuasive in swaying the public to rally for the cause of taking Kony to justice.

            But when you look at what the maker of the video is proposing, he wants the masses to rally and ask the U.S. government to send troops to Uganda to find and stop Kony.  Ironic because likely they are the same group that has been pushing for the war of Afghanistan and Iraq to stop.  Another article also points out that the last time the United States went for a manhunt, it lasted for over a decade.

            No doubt Joseph Kony is the man to stop, but how verifiable are the facts that are said on the video? As the other article notes, I would rather push for strengthening the International Criminal Court and involve the United Nations in the movement rather than asking the United States to intervene and be the 'savior' as it always wants it to be.  Walk with caution U.S.A.  

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

ADT Impian Masters 1st and 2nd Round

          Playing the first ADT event of the year in Malaysia, I was more than ready to tee it up after a month of preparation in the Philippines doing mostly short game and a lot of physical fitness.  With ample knowledge gained from a practice round the day prior, I had the confidence to play the layout.  Front nine, and off to a solid 2 under start.  Then on the back 9, I had one hiccup double bogey on the 16^th but bounced back nicely with a kick in birdie on the last to finish the round under par.

            The following day, off to another solid start after going one under through 9 holes that included one eagle on a par 5.  On the back nine, the only mishap was a double bogey on the 14^th after hitting it out of bounds on the tee shot.  During that moment playing the remaining holes which we quite challenging, it would be easy to lose hope and be out of sorts. But I held it together for the final 4 holes. I made three gutsy pars on 15, 16, and 18.  The birdie try came on the par 5 17^th where I left myself with a 6 footer.  A perfect putt that was under-read and made a dive left and lipped out. 

            The 71-73 even par total while not perfect, I thought would make the cut on the number.  The cut, top 50 out of the 144 field, turned out to be 1 under par.  That was a bit of a heart break because whenever you travel and come to any tournament, its your intention to play all 4 rounds not only to cash in a check but to simply play golf for the fun of it.

            A shot short this time but a bittersweet moment since I got word that same day that I was into the field for next week’s Asian Tour event in Cambodia! After our 2^nd round, Ryan, Chuck and I would go out for dinner with our caddies who were just as bummed out as we were.  The good thing is, you’ll always get to have another tournament to look forward to.  Taking the positives of the solid shots and putts I made especially down the stretch will definitely benefit for next week’s event in Cambodia.
           Time to keep plugging along!  Learning each step of the way.
Scores through two rounds: http://www.asiantour.com/adt_news.aspx?sid=20120309523919753859

ADT Impian Masters Pre-Round

            I’m joyful, happy, and excited to be here in Kuala Lumpur alongside Chuck Hong and Ryan Lam. Really, are those the best adjectives that I could come up with to describe my feelings about traveling to Malaysia and playing the first Asian Developmental Tour event of the year? Literarily speaking, perhaps not, but those adjectives sure are spot on.

            We left Manila via Cebu Pacific last night with a 9pm flight then were greeted in the Kuala Lumpur airport by Liong, my Malaysian caddy who caddied for me in Thailand and his friend.  Its always great to have locals as your friends who can speak the language and take you around.  They literally took care of us as we rode with them from the airport to the hotel to the golf course.  That would be our routine for the rest of the week.

            A big help from Liong was that he knew the course too since he caddied for a player at last year’s event.  Chuck, Ryan, and I went around to check out the course that afternoon and got a good feel of the undulations, slopes and yardages. 

If there’s one thing I forgot to pack, it’s my rain suit! It rains a lot around here at this time of the year according to Liong, in the afternoons in particular.  Looking forward to a fun week ahead! Tee time tomorrow, 9:30am.

The Player Caddy Relationship

Many of the successful professional golfers say that the caddy-player relationship is vital to their success.  The caddy plays a much bigger role than one would initially imagine.  The description of a caddy's job is to carry the player's bag.  However, once you really get into competition and know what it means to have a good caddy, then you'll figure out the intangibles a caddy has to offer.

During my days as a junior and collegiate golfer, playing without a caddy was the norm and the rule.  When I moved to the Philippines back in 2010 and with all the courses having caddies, it was something I quickly got used.  Having your bag carried around for you was a relief physically but then I started to notice how I played even better when I had a good caddy on the bag who would be alert, give the right yardage and reads on the green.

Two months ago when going to play the Final Stage of the Asian Tour event in Thailand, Ryan introduced me to a caddy who flew from Malaysia.  He was looking for a player for that week since his player who played on the first stage of qualifying didn’t make it past.  So I accepted and figured from the relatively little experience I’ve had of using professional caddies, that any advantage you can get, you take it.

We formed a bond right away during the practice rounds and from there, we gave it a great run at getting our fully exempt status on the Asian Tour. His guidance and his knowledge of the game was instrumental.  What an experience it can become when you have not only a good caddy but also a good friend who you can share it all with by your side.

We’ve been friends since and kept in touch through Facebook.  When I told Liong that I will be playing the first Asian Developmental Tour event of the year in his home country in Malaysia, he was delighted to be on the loop again. Given that he has caddied for Asian and European tour players in bigger events, I figured I couldn’t quite compensate him the way those more established players just yet. It was heartwarming to get his message saying that he was more than willing to caddy and reassuring not to worry about his caddy rates.

This was his message: “i will to caddying u...dont worry...i know a lot of that course.dont thinking about the payment..if u placing good money..i hope u can pay me by the percentage..carl..dont worry again about the payment ok..i like to caddying u.i hope we can do some miracle there.i just wait for u..call me if u be here.(kuala lumpur).maybe we can be a winner..dont worry buddy...i'll wait for u there.only u i like to caddy...honestly..!!!”

What a heart-warming message and a show of faith from Liong.  The adventure continues and while we all strive for that end-point success, its important to notice and enjoy every part of the journey to that point.  

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.