Peter H.
Tour 1: The Inaugural Challenge Champion

One thing never changes with SWAGGERS - they show up en masse to test their games under all cir*****stances. The 2009 inaugural event at The Architects was no different. With freezing rain and howling winds topping 30 mph, the personal wagers and friendly trash talking at the practice green and driving range was never dampened. Some were secretly negotiating handicaps, others clearly looking for a someone to hustle for a dollar or two. The one that tops is all though is Mon and Oca bankrolling Orly in the birdie pool...The two Hedge Fund speculators put up the capital on a "siguradong-sigurado panalo tayo sa manok natin". More on this later. In short, the mind games just went on and on.

President-Elect, Kelly Concepcion welcomed each new member; namely, Nimrod Bernales, Daniel Hollnsteiner, Musto Khan and Manny Pizzaro. A warm handshake, a handy towel for drying off the raindrops and a hearty empanada was El Presidente's send-off and the race was on!

Soggy fairways but surprisingly firm and fast greens under steady rain and cold winds pushed everybody's endurance .When the weather gets tough some players just shine. The pins placements were no match to the closest-to-the-pin winners - Romy F., Peter H., Vir M., Mac F. and Cary A. The big man with the big stick driver was Oca B. for Long Drive.

The weather broke late in the afternoon and sun came out with a vengeance. It was a bit late for some groups as member after member came into the clubhouse with their heads bowed. There was Orly with clear distress in his eyes as he declared that he failed to turn in any birdies and a sub-par performance meant a tanked ROI (return on investment for Mon and Oca). For a moment, Mon and Oca forgot their own miserable scores as it dawned on them that "na-Madoff sila" ni Orly. The subsequent beers for the group dulled the pain.

The stars of the show trickled in as Lito D. turned in whopper 68/91 gross to vault him into first place for the moment. Pandemonium broke out when Vir M. shows up with his agent Jimmy G. who had every blow by blow description on how Vir's gross of 78 "kung-pu" had he not 3-putted the last three holes. Ayayay! What a shocker to find out that Vir's 69/78 gross was only good for second place at that point!

Then came the star of the show waltzing in with a loud declaration, "This is my year!!!". Peter Hollnsteiner...our own Sweetie Pete had just finished with an outstanding GROSS Score of 77and net 67...a dominating winner who topped everybody for the day! Like a true champ, he promptly collected his winnings with a barb remark of, "Hoy! One-way kita!!". Then he had the beer and food flowing for everyone...His euphoria was so permeating in the clubhouse every time he announced, "Aakyat na rin ako sa stage...Ikaw? May trophy ka na ba?"

What an event! Congratulations to Peter Hollnsteiner the Champ and Lito DeGuzman for runner-up.

Who could ask for a better start of a golf season!

By:
Lino "The Raging Bull" Emnas