PAL Ladies Interclub in Baguio, next week

A sad time for us, golfers. Golf legend Arnold Palmer has passed away. He died at the age of 87, last September 26, 2016. He is one of the greatest golfers who ever lived. He won so many tournaments in the past, and several major ones. What I will remember about him is that he was such a pleasant golfer, always smiling, and never did I see him angry or cuss while playing. So long, Mr. Palmer. May you rest in peace.

What I will remember about him the most is his golf swing. He had a funny-looking follow through. But, hey, it worked for him. It just proves that golf is not about having the perfect swing. Check out Jim Furyk’s swing. Another classic example. My tip— use the style that works for you. Do not force yourself to copy Tiger’s swing, or Jason Day’s swing. Remember, we are not built the same. We have different body structures. Some are tall, some are short, some fat, some thin. Talk about muscle memory, remember, most of those PGA players started playing when they were little kids.

And since you are getting older, you have to make a few adjustments to your swing. If you continue to apply the swing you used 10 or 20 years ago, trust me, chances are you will get frustrated. And if you insist on applying the same swing, the same force, the power, and giving it all you’ve got on the drive, for example, I will pray that you do not hurt your back, and your ego, if you make a terrible shot. Haha!

Change topic. The PAL Ladies Interclub is scheduled next week, on October 4 to 7, 2016, and it will be held at Camp John Hay in Baguio. The ladies from Davao are all set to go. Uniforms, check. Awards night outfits, check. Plane tickets, check. Hotel accommodations and land arrangements, check. Golf game, ummm…check na ba, or still working on it? Toink!

To the players of Rancho Palos Verdes Golf & Country Club, Davao City Golf Club, and my team—Apo Golf & Country Club, good luck to all of us! See you all in Baguio!

Next topic. And the winner of the FedEx Cup is Rory McIlroy. Congratulations! He received $1,530,000 for winning the Tour Championship, plus a whopping $10 million dollar bonus prize. I say again, $10 MILLION DOLLARS! That is more that P480 Million Pesos in our current exchange rate. Whew!

Speaking of Rory McIlroy, he and Jason Day are coming to the Philippines for a charity match called ‘Battle for a Cause’. It is scheduled on November 29 at Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga.

And now, what we have been waiting for, The Ryder Cup! Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Final roster:

Team USA - Davis Love III (team captain), Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman, Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods (vice captains), Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Michelson, Patrick Reed, Brandt Snedeker, Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker (players); Captain’s picks – Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes, Matt Kuchar, and Ryan Moore.

Team Europe - Darren Clarke (team captain), Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, and Ian Poulter (vice captains), Rafa Cabrera Bello, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett and Christ Wood (players). Captain’s picks – Martin Kaymer, Thomas Pieters, and Lee Westwood. The venue this year is in the United States, at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.

FYI, in 2008, Team USA won, 16 ½ by 11 ½, (lampaso ang Team Europe). In 2010, Team Europe won, 14 ½ by 13 ½. In 2012, Team Europe won, 14 ½ by 13 ½. In 2014, Team Europe won, 16 ½ by 11 ½, (lampaso ang Team USA). Exciting match this year, since the venue is in the US!