Former Vice President Jejomar Binay was feted on Monday with his favorite things just a few days before his 80th birthday: Golf and the company of friends.
Under the clear skies of the Alabang Country Club, participants of the Binay Cup 2023 Invitational Golf Tournament enjoyed a day of friendship and camaraderie over golf and food.
“At least once a year, we are all happy,” Binay said jokingly. He has been taking a low profile from politics lately and the tournament was one of the few public appearances he has had lately.
“All of us will be seeing each other again next year.”
With the event turning out well, it surely would be repeated.
The 131 golfers took part in the tournament as they played the whole morning to their heart’s content, playing over a few rounds with buddies while the golf course offered refreshments to keep the good times rolling.
Binay Cup organizer Ed Lacson told DAILY TRIBUNE he is happy with the turnout as the tournament’s main goal is to “see everybody’s happy. They’re enjoying good food and seeing familiar faces here.”
“This is a reunion of friends. The friendships are getting deeper and that’s the reward of the entire event.”
Not limited to just longtime participants, Alabang Country Club director Benjie Sumulong had a great time playing his first Binay Cup and hopes to have the one-day competition again in the same venue.
Sumulong got third place in Class A category in his debut in the Binay Cup.
“This is the first time I was invited to the Binay Cup. The giveaways and the food were good,” Sumulong said.
“In the shotgun start with over 130 players. We were done in five and a half hours. It was great and I would be glad to host it again.”
Everybody enjoyed the buffet after a long day of golfing and winning appliances in the raffle, with the big ones including a Toyota Vios and a Hyundai Stargazer.
But the biggest winner was actor and golfer Derek Ramsay who came away with the Overall Net Championships, firing a gross 71 for a net 67.
Ramsay also had five birdies and nine pars. That’s aside from taking the special award for the Longest Drive after hitting his tee shot to 315 yards on the 18th.
Ace Stehmeier captured the Class A honors, while Gabby Herbosa and Sumulong took second and third places, respectively.
Christopher Garvida bagged the Class B title with Tristan Tiongson and Paolo Medina settling for second and third.
Class C top plum went to Jojo Javier. Ferdinand Diaz was second, while Lincoln Acension was third. Alvin Atie won the Nearest to the Pin after driving four feet from the pin on Hole No. 12.
