I am a member of Valley. I like the course. I like most of the people who play there. Too bad about the incident between two groups. I will not take sides but will only clarify some things.
1. The mayor and his group were playing in front of the De la Paz brother and sister. Thus, the mayor could not have complained of slow play on the part of the De la Paz flight. One complains if one is playing behind a slow flight, not when one is ahead. What one might complain about is when the flight behind hits their ball while one is still on the course.
2. Clearly, people who are on a golf course have the permission of the starters. In this case, the starters allowed the mayor’s late companions to catch up with them. In any case, if one has any complaints about another flight, one ought to take it up with the management (marshals, starters, the office) instead of confronting the offensive flight.
3. On a golf course, one plays his game. It is best (and only proper) that one does not mind other flights on the same course except when they disturb your pace of play or your game. In this case, some golfers joined the flight ahead. Can’t this be accepted without making a scene? What does it really matter to you? Play your game; enjoy the day. Why let what is happening outside your flight destroy your enjoyment?
4. Apparently, the fracas began when the elder De la Paz decided to confront what he saw as the offensive foursomes ahead of his children’s flight. Again, why do this? Why should that even matter? Why make a scene?
5. On the golf course, especially when talking to people one does not know, it is always best to speak in a friendly manner. One never knows who can become a friend if one is friendly to all.
6. Golf is a gentleman’s game. A gentleman is one because he keeps his cool even under the most adverse situations.
7. Whatever the cause, the beating that was administered to De la Paz pere et fil was just too much. Overkill.
8. To my mind, any members who involve themselves (or hasveguests who do so) in acts of violence while on the course or on the club premises ought to be expelled. There should be no exceptions to this.
9. There were no bodyguards with guns on the golf course. This is not allowed and I have seen Secretary Pangandaman playing at Valley without bodyguards while on the course. A lot of other government men also play at Valley and they never allow their security to bring their guns on the course. Most of them leave their security personnel outside the clubhouse. Some will have their security drive the carts. Security people do not play golf while on duty.
10. If what you want is an enjoyable game, come to Valley. But, come to enjoy the game, not to mind other people on the same course. If you allow them, they might affect your game and your enjoyment. Valley is still a great golf course and a good Country Club. (Ignore the sick joke title of this piece.) # # # #
hvp (12.29.08)
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6 Comments
Its seems from your post that Mr. De la Paz is starting the arguments by involving himself in the business of another which happened to be his daughter and son. So it seems that you have justified the act of the Mayor. The act of the Mayor is condemnable and you should do that. As a golfer i feel ashame of what the mayor done. Beating a 14 years old. You seems to be on the side of mayor.
I could agree with you, that it was the De La Paz group who started the fight (maybe). But does it justify the act of the Mayor and the Cabinet Secretary group to do the mauling. I feel that you are justifying the the act of the Pangandaman’s, maski sinasabi mo that you are not choosing any side.
I think the opinion is fair. He just pointed at the facts at hand. It could have been discussed in a friendly manner specially on the time that it was just after Christmas. Words improperly used or misinterpreted can be a sharp tool to intimidate the other party. But it is not justifiable that you beat up someone due to a petty matter. As public officials though they should have been more patient and reasonable. What has the world come to?
As i read other comments on this issue, i beg to feel that people who do not play the game indeed doesn’t understand the etiquette of rules established.
Well i was blinded by the initial media report that were all on the side of the De la Paz’s family.Truly Ms.Bambee Dela Paz sought a true refuge thru the blog.whilst her testimony seems real at a first glance, it turned out that from saying that goes ” who turns first, gets through” she in fact capitalized on her blog so she gets the symphaty of supporters and readers, thus eventually condemning the alleged culprits!! I just heard your investigation from a friend and as one of those trusted and dedicated columnist, i trust your version was not biased.
Out of delicadeza, well the Dela Paz should not have over exxagerated the issues here.If beaten because of their alleged ” arrogance”, they could have reap the bad fruits.of course the culprits here need to settle the physical assault on the De la Paz.But needless to say, people should not dip more fingers on the litany of the Pangandaman’s.let the rule of law apply but let’s not forget, do not provoke less youre uncertain of your might!!even so, “less talk less mistakes”. The old De la Paz could have gone one nasty word over!!!
wow, writing something like that as early as Dec 29 and proven to be right in the end! your middle name must be nostradamus. or you are really a valley golf rat. as for me, i started having that feeling that there is more than what meets the eye on dec 30, after i talked to a friend who happened to be in the business end of the de la paz family’s arrogance a few days before the valley golf brawl.
mas idol na kita ngayon kesa kay manuel l quezon iii who has not the decency until now to apologize to the pangandamans for immediately condemning them to hell even before the complete picture came out.
yan ang tunay na lalaki. (ay, kaya pala. hahahaha)
Thanks for giving an impartial take on this issue. At least things have been clarified already. I hope you don’t mind if I post a link of this entry to my blog.
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