Roger Federer is well on his way to break Pete Sampras record for the most number of grand slam titles. He won over a Taiwanese in the first round of 2009 Wimbledon tournament. With Nadal out there is nada to hound him and admittedly with the pressure now off since tying Sampras, Roger can cruise his way to his 15th slam. Barring any drama from hometown boy Murray.
In golf, Phil Mickelson is once again heartbroken. Losing the US Open to virtual unknown Glover (who he?). It was Phil's golden chance, he was lurking behind and actually caught up midway the final round. His ill wife was goading him to win. That was the drama behind the otherwise bland game. But Mickelson, ever the game's heartbreak kid, was again beaten. I don't know why, but next to seeing Tiger win, seeing Phil lose provides drama and a good excuse for following the game.
Showing posts with label golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label golf. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Not as good as advertised
My office had our annual team building today. This is my first time to join this summer event in my three years at the organization. I decided to come along because of the fun stories and happy pictures brought back by those who join. The photos of the venue, as posted in their website, were also very inviting. The pricing scheme posted in the website was snobbish (in dollars, and they were boasting of affiliate resorts in other tropical countries). A world class resort in Rizal, this I got to see. This might just as well be a good way to escape the searing summer heat if only for a day.
The mandatory games, trivial as they are, were good for their 15-seconds of laughter. After the games we went to explore the other services and amenities of the resort. The Thunderbird Resort in BInangonan, Rizal is a hotel casino overlooking Laguna de Bay. It boasts of a private 18-hole golf course and an infinity pool, and of course casinos. Prior to coming over, organzers told us that there were some restrictions like - trunks only, no surfboard shorts for men; no sandals or shorts in the casinos. Ok, we understand. It's world-class after all.
The golf course covers a wide expanse of the hilly area. I don't play golf, and if I do, I don't think I'll be hitting and following a ball over 7000 yards under the unforgiving sun. I didn't prepare to swim either because I didn't want to bring home wet towels and clothes. And the infinity pool turned to be very finite. The photo on their website was cleverly cropped just off the pool's edge. The majority decided not to swim either. The pool was small for all two busloads of us. It was not as good as advertised.
The rooms were spacious and comfortable enough - for a family of four. If you try to squeeze a busload, they are bound for some discomfort. So I went to the casino where two of my sandal-clad office mates charme the guard to let them in. So much for the shoes only policy. I told my officemates of my theory of malas sa sugal, suerte sa pag-ibig. They all wanted to be both. Those who lost in the slots comforted themselves that they were lucky in love anyway.
As for me I walked away with Php300. How did I do that? I went in with a Php1000.
The mandatory games, trivial as they are, were good for their 15-seconds of laughter. After the games we went to explore the other services and amenities of the resort. The Thunderbird Resort in BInangonan, Rizal is a hotel casino overlooking Laguna de Bay. It boasts of a private 18-hole golf course and an infinity pool, and of course casinos. Prior to coming over, organzers told us that there were some restrictions like - trunks only, no surfboard shorts for men; no sandals or shorts in the casinos. Ok, we understand. It's world-class after all.
The golf course covers a wide expanse of the hilly area. I don't play golf, and if I do, I don't think I'll be hitting and following a ball over 7000 yards under the unforgiving sun. I didn't prepare to swim either because I didn't want to bring home wet towels and clothes. And the infinity pool turned to be very finite. The photo on their website was cleverly cropped just off the pool's edge. The majority decided not to swim either. The pool was small for all two busloads of us. It was not as good as advertised.
The rooms were spacious and comfortable enough - for a family of four. If you try to squeeze a busload, they are bound for some discomfort. So I went to the casino where two of my sandal-clad office mates charme the guard to let them in. So much for the shoes only policy. I told my officemates of my theory of malas sa sugal, suerte sa pag-ibig. They all wanted to be both. Those who lost in the slots comforted themselves that they were lucky in love anyway.
As for me I walked away with Php300. How did I do that? I went in with a Php1000.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Master 4
Whew! Tiger was gone, so was Phil. With Kenny Perry up by 2 with 2 holes to go, I went to the office thinking that there will be no more drama to unfold in the Masters. Dead wrong. I have thought it was for Kenny Perry to lose. But I thought he'd lose it to Tiger. Kenny choked and lost it alright, but to Angel Cabrera, in a playoff. Seems people named Perry are in a funk nowadays. Sayang!
Easter Master 3
Tiger bogeyed the last two holes to bow out of the championship. Phil also bogeyed the last hole to stay 1 up on Tiger. He still has a chance if the leader bungle it on the remaining holes. But I am equally rooting for Kenny Perry. With Tiger out of it, wtaching the game suddenly became less exciting. I expect less drama to unfold.
Time to prepare for work now.
Time to prepare for work now.
Easter Master 2
Tiger birdied the 16th. Phil saved par. Both are now just 1 behind Kenny Perry, who is just missed a birdie on the 11th by less than the diameter of the ball. Tough. He is just 1 up on Tiger and Phil. This must be nerve wracking for him.
Tiger bogeyed the 17th. While Phil missed another one of those short putts and the chance to inch closer to the leader. He saved par but is still 2 behind the leader, Kenny Perry, who just birdied the 12th. With the missed birdie on the 11th, this one on the 12th and with Tiger and Phil failing to gain further ground, Kenny Perry should be poised enough to win this one. Go Perry, go!.
Tiger bogeyed the 17th. While Phil missed another one of those short putts and the chance to inch closer to the leader. He saved par but is still 2 behind the leader, Kenny Perry, who just birdied the 12th. With the missed birdie on the 11th, this one on the 12th and with Tiger and Phil failing to gain further ground, Kenny Perry should be poised enough to win this one. Go Perry, go!.
Easter Master
Phil and Tiger just made another charge on the 15th hole. Tiger went for the eagle with a long but doable putt. he missed it with the ball passing the cup by just inches. Next up was Phil, he also went for an eagle, a much shorter putt than Tiger, but he missed it widely. Both made the birdies, though. With three holes to go, Phil is one behind, Tiger two. As I said this is for the leaders to lose. Tiger is just being himself.
Easter week
I woke up not to get back top work after the Easter break but to catch the Masters live. Tiger is playing. There's got to be some drama.
Phil Mickelson added to the drama in the Masters by tieing the record 6-under 30 in the front nine of the last round, firing home six birdies in the first eight holes. He was just one behind the leaders but but he hit the water to double-bogey the 12th. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods continued to lurk closely behind the leader, silently firing a 3-under 36 in the fron nine. He birdied the 13th to suddenly be just 3 behind with 4 holes to go. I have a feeling this is for the leaders to lose. Tiger is back at his game this Easter.
Meanwhile, leader Kenny Perry was steadily matching pars through the first 8 holes to keep the lead against the surging Mickelson and Woods. He's got to have steely nerves to maintain poise as he hears the sound of the comeback, the oohs and ahhs in Phil's and Tiger's flight.
Who says golf isn't exciting?
Phil Mickelson added to the drama in the Masters by tieing the record 6-under 30 in the front nine of the last round, firing home six birdies in the first eight holes. He was just one behind the leaders but but he hit the water to double-bogey the 12th. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods continued to lurk closely behind the leader, silently firing a 3-under 36 in the fron nine. He birdied the 13th to suddenly be just 3 behind with 4 holes to go. I have a feeling this is for the leaders to lose. Tiger is back at his game this Easter.
Meanwhile, leader Kenny Perry was steadily matching pars through the first 8 holes to keep the lead against the surging Mickelson and Woods. He's got to have steely nerves to maintain poise as he hears the sound of the comeback, the oohs and ahhs in Phil's and Tiger's flight.
Who says golf isn't exciting?
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