Pinoy Golfer Blog

I get invited to a lot of tournaments but there is one that stands out in my mind as the most organized, most meticulously run that I’ve had the pleasure to play in the whole year; the Lexus Cup.

The tournament is organized by Lexus Philippines as a way to thank their customers and the Lexus Club of the Philippines for their support and continued patronage. The only requirement for entry is that you must own a Lexus. There is no entry fee, the carts and caddies are included in your entry as was the sumptuous dinner that followed but more on that later.

I was incredibly excited when I received my invitation to the tournament which came two months in advance of the appointed date. I played and practiced in the hope of winning one the their stunning trophies – a model of the exotic Lexus LFA mounted on a dense wooden base. I have a lot of trophies but I’m a long time car nut and this one would have a special place in my collection.

Upon arrival at the plush Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club, I was greeted by Lexus Philippines’ Spencer Yu, who generously instructed the staff that even if I did not arrive in one of their vehicles, I was to be accorded two mulligans as their guest. When I walked into the club, my jaw hit the proverbial floor. Sitting in the lobby was a white Lexus LFA one of the most stunning, most expensive sports cars on the planet. I must have spent a good ten minutes there, feasting my eyes before being escorted by a lovely lady to the registration area.

There were more surprises when I made my way to my locker. Not only did the locker have my name on it, but it contained everything I’d need for my round; two pre-laundered Crest Link golf shirts resplendent with the Lexus logo (one for the round and the other for the awarding ceremonies), a fairway towel and bath towel with my name embroidered on it, a cap with the Lexus logo and ball marker clip with two markers, a box of Titleist Pro V1 golf balls with the Lexus logo and a toiletries bag with my name on it filled with every conceivable item I’d need for my post golf cleanup. If that’s not being pampered, I don’t know what is!

To kick the tournament off, there was the obligatory ceremonial tee-off by Lexus Motors Philippines Chair Alfred Ty, Lexus Motors Philippines president Danny Isla and the president of Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club Bryan Cockrell. By this time most of the participants were at the driving range warming up for their round and seldom does everyone make it back to the club for the ceremonies but not this time. Danny Isla ordered the LFA fired up and the piercing sound of the high revving V10 brought every single participant back to the clubhouse in a hurry! That might have been the single most memorable moment of the tournament; listening to that V10 wail!

I was paired with Sherwin Chua Lim, vice president for marketing of Toyota Motors Philippines and my publisher, Anton Cabangon of the Business Mirror. We had a great time together which probably accounts for how well we all played. The weather was beautiful and the course was in superb condition, as usual. All of which added to just how well the day went for us all.

Then on to the awards dinner. Or should I say feast. The food was, for lack of a more adequate term, simply amazing! It was a multi-course extravaganza featuring Sta. Elena’s Chef Joseph Goh’s signature black pepper crab and prime rib as the centerpieces but preceded by everything but the kitchen sink. I deeply regret not having the capacity to enjoy the food to the fullest. If I’d known the full extent of the meal beforehand, I’d have fasted for the week prior to the tournament.

The rest of the night was marked by fellowship and camaraderie. Sherwin and Anton won first and second respectively in the guest division. Sta. Elena president Bryan Cockrell showed his knowledge and mastery of his home course by taking the low gross award while Dax Garcia won the overall low net.

Me? I lucked out and hit my best drive of the tournament on the long drive hole and was awarded a Lexus driver for the effort. It’s too beautiful to ever put into play and although I didn’t take home one of the trophies that I coveted from the start, the Lexus driver has a very special place on my wall.

This has been and will always be one of the tournaments that I eagerly look forward to playing in; not for the goodies that are given to us but for the standard of which the event is run. It is perfection. Just like the cars that bear the tournament’s name.

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