Damn, I miss this game!!!!

Honestly, I haven't played this game in about six months for the simple reason that I have no adequate financial capacity to pursue my love for the game. In other words, I'm broke! So playing for free is the only way I could go to the field and enjoy the game. But since the company has been tightening up our belts, the usual executive golf days are rare treats... well, for me at least.


video by joey dela vega






























photography by Jerry Santos

Golf Day @ Villamor

Night Golf @ Club Intramuros

MVP Screen Golf Pictures

MVP Screen Golf and Driving Range is located at the Northern Side of the Manila Film Center, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay City.

i missed golf

Long time, no field...

Friend and golf buddy P/SSupt. Mar Valerio, former Makati and Pasay City Chief of Police treated me to a game of golf at the Valley Golf and Country Club. I finally got to play in the field again.

golf @ valley golf in antipolo

short video of a golf game i had with friend P/SSupt. Valerio and friend Nards at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo a couple of weeks back

Golf Day

this was a few weeks ago. one of the now "rare" treat of playing this sport...

1st Nite Golf Classic @ Club Intramuros

With the new lights installed at Club Intramuros, the Philippine Tourism Authority held a tournament to open up the night games at the golf course. The occasion was well attended and we were actually glad to have been invited.



The funny thing was that I heard that day from our marketing director that I have actually won as class C champion of the Ambassador's Cup Tournament held last October.

It was shocking for me but I was quite happy specially since I did not bother attending the awarding ceremonies since I never in the slightest way figured I could win anything specially in this sport that never seems to love me back. But I did, and I just got the trophy and the write-ups from Graphic Magazine and the Business Mirror.

Two days after this tournament, I was informed that I have apparently won a place in this tournament... Wow! I've yet to verify the news but it nevertheless gives me solace to the fact that things do take time to get done... or get a result out of it.

I never really took the game seriously up until my friend Chris Park gave me his Callaway FT full iron set, a Cleveland 60 degree approach wedge and a Cleveland rescue/utility club after apparently retiring from golf. My staff pitched in for a new PING anser putter with John Jun throwing in a 3 wood. My boss, Max Lee gave me a terribly good-looking Titleist golf bag while my godson Kyo Lee personally went with me to the store to pick out and pay for my new Taylormade R5 driver and utility 3 club.

In less than a week, my new set was complete without a single centavo spent on my end. The pressure was then on to become better than I was since I wouldn't have any excuse that my set was not so good (my old set, a G-Ark set was given by my boss 2 and a half years ago and that forced me to take up this game).

Here's where MVP resident golf pro Matthew Kim comes in. He helped me settle in with the new set and even gave me a NIKE golf shirt as a present for my birthday. I was tutored a lot and I guess that it finally paid off or is paying off.

I guess that these things are but some of the things I should be thankful for.

Screen Golf @ MVP

The beauty of screen golf is that although it is still technically a video game like wii, the amount of energy and concentration exerted is virtually the same. less the walking and the riding, plus you can drink while playing golf. You can practice to a certain degree of accuracy and it allows you to pump yourself up before a game.

Last night, I was visited by an old friend, retired General and now Undersecretary Virtus Gil so that he may refresh his 17-year old golf skills. It was a pleasure seeing him not make any "comical" strokes. He was either very good during his days or he's a natural. Either way, i was impressed and told him that when I started, it was not as sane as his first screen golf game.



playing, betting and drinking with MVP resident golf pro Matthew Kim and Hoony Lim

another golf day @ club intramuros

It was the Ambassador's Cup Golf Tournament at Club Intramuros. We were given tickets by my Marketing Director's friend Gina who was part of the secretariat. So John, Jay, Chaddy and myself joined and it was the longest golf game we had in Intramuros. Not because we waited so long like the PTA-General Manager's Cup last year but because of the flight ahead of us.

The tournament was designed "shot gun" meaning we all start on different holes to allow ease of traffic. The flight in front of us had this newbie guy who took the term "social sport" to the max. He acted like a pro, had gear well beyond what was necessary and he significantly increased his phone bill by having conversations on the fairway. The boys called it "yabang style" or translated "arrogant aura".

Don't get me wrong, I'm a terrible golf player myself but I learned "manner" first before even taking my first swing on a fairway. My boys were having a laugh as we watched him bid his time pulling out expensive tees from a fine crafted leather case, set his ball, set up his address, take three practice swings and WHAM! Ground his club so deep into the ground and launch his ball 5 yards. He had the energy of a t-rex on his back swing and the strength of a mice on the front swing.

The rule for the day is that double pars should be picked up to prevent delay of game, but I guess that didn't apply to him. Funnier was hearing him quip to another player, "what happened?" after the other player had a bad shot... then he took the stand and WHAM! ... another fabulous 9 yard shot!

As rule, I am a comedian on the field because I know that the probability of a comedic swing is very high (really high). So might as well insult myself early on to prevent the ultimate humiliation of looking like an idiot by acting like a pro... and that's why the caddies love me.

For what its worth, we had fun out of his entertainment plus the fact that we got to sit a lot on the Intramuros grass and admire nature... I just pity the three other guys who shared the same flight with him... they must have been ecstatic.

Golf Day @ the Riviera Langer Course

When the going gets tough... have a round of golf. It'll definitely rid you of your stress or simply add more if your swings are bad.

Golf at the Riviera

Golf with a pro

My friend and golf pro, Matthew Kim has been prodding me for an on-course lesson session so that I can be properly observed and guided. Sure enough, I had a decent score that day with only an 11-stroke difference from my pro. I was quite happy about it specially on the PAR 4, 8th hole when I landed a 220+ yards on the green for an eagle chance. Of course, I did not even get the birdie out of it but a par.

Nevertheless, it was one of the best "feel" games I've had and a good chance to get properly acquainted with my new set.

Golf with the Chairman

It was a good day for a round of golf witht the Chairman as well as talk a little shop while we were at it. The game ended with Mr. Baek winning by 7 strokes.

another golf day

Golf with the chairman at intramuros this morning



video by joey dela vega

Golf Days @ Intramuros

videos by joey dela vega

screen golf

Virtual golf is lots of fun... it's not gonna burn you since you're playing in an air-conditioned room with real balls, real clubs on a virtual field in front of a giant screen. Given the rainy season, this is the way to go.



from left; PSSupt. Mar Valerio, Amazing's Baek isanim and myself



light moments

Golf Day @ the Navy Club 2

I thought that it would be some sort of revenge day for me at the Navy Club by beating my old score of 106... 'guess not.

the more i learn...

the more stupid i become?

I'm talking about golf. The sport that I love to hate and hate to love. True to the fact... the more concept, ideas, and what not I get, the worse I play. I am so frustrated... but then again, maybe I just need time.

Golf @ the Navy Club

Embarassing! that's the word for that particular game. Although I must admit that my score wasn't all that bad compared to my previous games, fact is, I get rattled with good players. And being "rattled" in golf means you're destined to get screwed really bad.

Two of my Korean staff not only frequents the driving range, they also has made a career in messing up their hands really bad. Boil-like swelling of some parts of the palm is supposedly an indicator of your grip accuracy... hell, I wouldn't want to mess up a hand that sketches, play the guitar and piano and most importantly... never mind.

But i do agree that I should go back to the driving range if only to refresh my muscle memory before a game. Anyway, all golf games for me is fun... and half serious. Ain't nothing wrong with that I think. No way I'll be in PGA anyway : )



Kristine, Alex and Cyrus... thanks for the very nice game.