POGI’s Cary Africa Captures 7th POGI Open in Dramatic Fashion

SWAG’s Lino Emnas Finishes a Close 2nd (Again)

By Joseph Vasquez and Keats London

July 26, 2008 Minebrook GC, Hackettstown, NJ – The 7th POGI Open lived up to its hype as one of the most competitive golf tournaments in the tri-state area.  Cary Africa who finished with a POGI Open record score two-over par 72 takes home the coveted POGI Open title as he narrowly defeats SWAG’s Lino Emnas.  Lino who has come close several times to winning this major championship stumbled to finish at 73.

Cary’s victory is a testament to years of hard work in a game he fell in love with nine years ago.   As recent as 2001, Cary couldn’t even break a hundred on wide open courses.  Today, his golf game is at its finest and he’s still getting better.  His win at the POGI Open should inspire every golfer especially those who are just starting to play to stick with the game. 

“It’s just my time,” Cary said modestly as he summed up his game.  “I am honored to have my name etched on the POGI Open trophy together with some of the best amateur golfers in our area,” he added.

Although Cary knew he had an excellent chance coming in to Saturday to win the POGI Open, he expressed some doubts the day before.  Cary and POGI Member Raymond Vasquez played a practice round on Friday and shot a 74.  According to Raymond, “On the way home, Cary kept on asking himself why did I shoot a 74 today?”  Cary expected that he wouldn’t have enough within him to shoot another low number in consecutive days.  Little did he know that he was going to shoot a record round of 72 at the POGI Open.  On a side note, Raymond also shot his best round that day (98), which he broke by one stroke at the POGI Open to come in as runner-up in the Class C division.

Coming up short to win the POGI Open were perennial favorites Lino and POGI Member Romy Francisco, who happens to be Cary’s uncle and one of his golf mentors.  Gracious in defeat, Lino congratulated his good friend, Cary, for a spectacular game, which included an amazing 33 in the front nine. 

“I’ll be back next year,” declared Lino who seems to utter the same line every year as he looks at someone else hoisting the POGI Open trophy.  Luckily, Lino is still in his prime and would be the favorite next year.  So is Romy, who may not be as young as his competitors in age, but is as youthful and exuberant as ever (could it be the Viagra?).

Romy, who can play with the best of them, knows he needs to win the POGI Open soon.  He has won all the POGI majors except the Open, which has eluded him through the years.  Winning the POGI Open would guarantee his inclusion in POGI’s Hall of Fame (is there one?)

“It would have been mine had I not double-parred the 13th,” said Romy.  He finished with a 75 because an ugly snowman (8) on that hole. 

Another sad ending belonged to the co-writer of this article.  Joseph Vasquez (known as Janboy to POGI members) would have won the Class A division had he joined as a full-time POGI member this year with his total gross score of 77.
“It’s a hard lesson learned for me since I’ve been an active member since 2002,” said Janboy regretfully.  “The winners played hard and deserve the recognition especially C-Zav who has shown tremendous improvement.  As for me, it’s a hollow victory, at least I can go home knowing I played my best when I had to.  There are benefits to being a full-fledged member of POGI.”

Janboy was referring to POGI Member Cesar Zavalla who took home 1st place in Class A.  Cesar has been putting up his best numbers the past few weeks and has shown great control in not pulling out his driver.  He is walking proof of golf’s old adage, “It’s not how you drive, but how you arrive.”

Competition for Class A, B and Guests were filled with surprises and excitement.  POGI Member Bong Mapa, who acted as Keats’ sidekick photographer, dominated Class B with a masterful round of 80, net 64.  His aim on the greens was as good as his aim with his point-and-shoot digital camera.

Class C ended with a tie between POGI Members Edgar Armas and Raymond.  With the tie-breaker, Edgar edged out Raymond and took home the overall Class C prize.  Raymond was happy though because his consistent practice is paying off.

The Guests bracket was heavily contested as there were many non-POGI members.  As consolation, Lino bagged the overall crown among the guests.  Peter Hollnsteiner came in second.  Guests were playing under the questionable System 36 rule.

The 2008 POGI Open will go down in history as the most competitive yet.  There were many excellent players in the field including former POGI Open winners James Ang (inaugural winner), 2004 champion Ed Amisola and 2006 and 2007 champion EJ Legarda, joined by a host of POGI, SWAG and the surprise entries from the so-called  Mercer Oaks “No Mercy” boys featuring Dem Ilagan, Sam Ang, Jeof Ballesteros, Nick Flordeliza, Angelo Dela Cruz and Tony Gulfin. 
It just makes Cary’s victory that much sweeter.

Here’s a breakdown of the winners:

Guests (System 36)
Lino Emnas (68 tie-breaker)
Peter “Just Beat Oscar Briones” Hollnsteiner (68 tie-breaker)
John Chavez (68 tie-breaker)
“I just want to beat Oscar Briones”, revealed Peter Hollnsteiner prior to tee off.  Peter’s 77 did beat fellow-SWAG member Oscar Briones’ 83.

Class A
1st  Cesar “C-Zav” Zavalla 80 (Net 68 tie-breaker)
2nd Romy “Viva Viagra” Francisco 75 (Net 68 tie-breaker)
3rd Dennis “Palos” De Leon 80 (Net 68 tie-breaker)

Class B
1st Bong “Silencer” Mapa 80 (Net 64)
2nd Emil “Cialis is Better” Narciso 88 (Net 69 tie-breaker)
3rd Ron “Hitman” Galang 88 (Net 69)
Bong “Silencer” Mapa predicted he will shoot 80 and did he ever.  Not only that he made good on his prediction, he also made good by being the best in Class B.

Class C
1st Edgar “Armed & Dangerous” Armas 89 (Net 67 tie-breaker)
2nd Raymond “No Longer The Other Vasquez” Vasquez 97 (Net 67)
3rd Keats “Mr. Photographer” London 96 (Net 70)

Keats London, playing his best game in 2008 carded a 96 and with his handicap of 26, was good enough for 3rd place. “It was so much fun playing with Tony Rejano, Musto Khan and former POGI-member turned Guest Member Anthony Montelibano” said Keats after the game. 

Closest to the Pin
Pootsie Garcia
Jay Lumang

Longest Drive  
Oca Briones