VIA Times – September 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Maria Girlie Pascual
The bus was there at exactly 3am, all shiny and ready for boarding. The Asian American Golfers of Illinois (AAGI) was able to raise funds to have a U.S. Coachways luxury bus take them to their annual interstate tournament which featured players from AAGI Chicago led by President Ray Agbunag and Tournament Director James Delacruz, the Fullswing Golfers of St. Louis, Missouri led by Jerome Buenaventura and Bryan Gabbert, and the Philippine Golf Association of West Virginia led by Oscar “Bong” Ibrahim. This year’s event was hosted by Dr. Jonathan Eugenio and his players from the Philippine Golfers Association of Kentucky (PGAK). The drive went smoothly and in six hours, we were in the Bluegrass State. Friday was a practice round for everyone at the beautiful Connemara Golf Course, one of Kentucky’s historic courses that started out as a farm in 1833. All the tournament attendees including spouses, stayed at the Four Points Sheraton in Lexington, Kentucky, and wonderfully enough, we had perfect golfing weather the next day. There were 88 players total, with 134 attendees, making it a very successful event. The golfers competed in three events—the Medal Team Play, the President’s Cup, Kentucky Open 2014 Tournament Championship and the Ryder Cup, while the ladies had their own Solheim division. Handicaps were calculated based on index and course rating, and the tournament’s first day was Saturday at the Connamera Golf Course, while Sunday was held at the number 1 public golf course in Kentucky, Old Silo, hailed as one of the U.S.’s best places to play by the PGA and Golf Digest, as well as Golf Magazine and U.S.A. today. While Saturday was sunny, Sunday rolled in along with intermittent showers and a permanent drizzle that made the course just that much tougher. Despite all that, the banquet at the Four Points Sheraton was lively, fun-filled and yes, memorable. The losers of the President’s Cup were asked to become the “ladies of the night” for the winning team, and this time, Jerome Buenaventura, head of the Fullswing League of St. Louis, Missouri, was exempted from wearing his wife’s clothes. This became the highlight of the evening, and fueled the celebration mood of the night. The winners of the Kentucky open 2014 are: Overall Kentucky tournament Champions: Fullswing Golfers President’s Cup Champion: Fullswing Golfers of St. Louis A-Flight Ryder Cup Champions: PGA West Virginia Golfers B-Flight Ryder Cup Champions: Fullswing Golfers Medal Play Team Champions: PGA West Virginia Golfers Solheim Ladies Cup Champions: Fullswing Golfers of St. Louis Men’s Low Net Champion: Nolan Zoellmer of Fullswing Golfers Ladies’ Low Net Champion: Sammie Moore of PGA West Virginia It was a grueling two-day tournament that tested our skills and physically challenged all ages from 13 to 85 (yes, we did have Madame Belen Sultan present from West Virginia), which goes to show you that golf is a sport that can be played by anyone… anyone crazy enough to love a sport that only a golfer can appreciate! Until next year’s interstate outing.. see you all again here in Chicago. For those interested in joining our Asian American Golfers of Illinois team, please email James Delacruz at aagichicago@gmail.com. We are an equal opportunity mixed league of men and women golfers of varying skills, from beginning players to our seasoned group, so please check out our website coming up soon.##
HE AAGI Team Wearing Green for GO”- (L-R) Standing: Manny Enriquez, King Henson, Brian Abad, Boyet Abacan, Jay Sanchez, VP Rowell Plata, Auditor/Adviser Gil Sarmiento, Tournament Director James DC, Andy Justo, Jessie Manalo, Treasurer Gerry Liwanag, Doc Lito Fernandez, Secretary Ray Adorable, and president Ray Agbunag. (L-R) Kneeling: Ed Ranchero, AAGI Champs Rowena Esquivel and Carla Soria, Becky Adorable, Girlie, Ernie Catral, Jessie Magsino and Joe Molina
The Open Tournament Head Honchos” (L-R) AAGI Chicago’s James Delacruz, Philippine Golfers Association of Kentucky’s Dr. Jon Eugenio, Fullswing of Missouri’s Jerome Buenaventura, and Philippine Golfers Association of West Virginia’s Oscar “Bong” Ibrahim.
“The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”- (L-R) Alice Sarmiento, Nancy Agbunag, Virgie Magsino, Becky Adorable, Cris Plata, Elinor Molina, Girlie, Angie Adorable, Sheila Abad, Ate Marcy from Manila and Lolit Ranchero–photo bomber King Henson at the back.
Girlie with the golfers: (L-R) Jessie Magsino, Jay Sanchez, Manny Enriquez, Ray and Becky Adorable, Gil Sarmiento, boyet Abacan, King Henson, Ed Ranchero, AAGI VP Rowell Plata, Rules Commissioner Clive Merrill, Doc Lito Fernandez, Ernis Catral, and President Ray Agbunag..peeking behind are Brian Abad and Terry Oblifias.
“The Hosting Team of Kentucky” Dr. Jon Eugenio leads his team (fourth golfer from left)
The Philippine Golfers Association of West Virginia showed up in full force for the tournament.
The Big Winners from Missouri-the Fullswing Golf League.
The Philippine Golf Association of West Virginia are the Medal Play team Champions (L-R) Bobby Olayvar, Dr. Ruben Estrada, Dr. Alex Fernandez, Ladies’ Low net Champion Sammie Moore, PGA West Virginia President Bong Ibrahim, Dr. jun Sta. Ana, Dr.Yay Zamora, Tony De Villa, and Kentucky Golfers President Dr. Jon Eugenio.
Fullswing Golfers take home the trophies (L-R) Raja Muthukumaru, Julie Nathanson, Brian Haar, Fullswing leader Jerome Buenaventura and his wife Dolly, Bob koh, Jeff Rakers, Corey nathanson, Low Net Champ Nolan Zoellmer and Frank Menn.
