"Starting young: Davao boy joins World Golf Championship”
Sun.Star Davao, August 24, 2018
Seven-year-old David James Wee Teves from Davao City recently joined the U.S. Kids World Golf Championship held at the historic and world-famous Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, U.S.A.
David, who also happens to be my nephew, was the sole Dabawenyo and only 7-year old player on the Philippine team joining more than 1,500 kids representing more than 50 countries including the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, England, South Korea, Japan, and China.
Junior golfer
“Golf started early for David. I can remember him playing with toy clubs when he was just 2 years old”, daddy James enthuses.
But it was not until David was 6 years old that he would tag along with his dad, also an avid golfer, to the local driving range. This is also where they met his coach Roland Revilleza who further nurtured his skills and encouraged him to play and enjoy golf.
When he turned 7, David played in local tournaments at Apo Golf and Country Club and at Rancho Palos Verdes and, on several occasions, emerged as a champion of his age group. “We would always remind him to enjoy the game and play his best, win or lose. Quitters will never be winners”, challenges mommy Eileen.
Aside from excelling in golf, David was the first runner-up for the Grade 1 level of the citywide Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge and bronze medalist in the kata division of the Manuel Veguillas Memorial Karate Cup early this year.
In May 2018, David won the U.S. Kids World Golf Championship qualifying event for the 7-year old category held at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Cavite City.
World-class golf
After 24 hours of travel and in between jet lag, the family finally arrived at Pinehurst to a superbly world-class reception during the first week of August.
Colorful flags from all participating countries lined both sides of the long road greeting players as they drove up the famed Pinehurst No. 2. One of the highlights of the event was the Parade of Nations where the Philippine team (Davao, Cebu, Bacolod, Cagayan and Manila), accompanied by the Pinehurst marching band, took turns carrying the Philippine flag and proudly marching for the country, along with teams from around the world. “Just like the Olympics!”, David playfully adds.
With an emphasis on fun and being family-friendly, on the lineup was the Parent/Child Team Tournament, the Honda Experience sponsored by Honda of Japan where kids and adults played mini golf; and the Team Challenge, a 9-hole event played under a player/friend or player/player format.
Daddy caddie
On tournament day, the names of the countries were shouted out as each representative teed up to hit the first shot. Caddies, all with names of their players proudly emblazoned on the backs of their uniforms, carried golf bags with matching team colors and flags.
After the 3-day event, Bento Assis of Brazil, the reigning champion of the age 6 division of last year, was declared as the winner, besting all 115 players under the aged 7 division.
“For us, joining the championship is already an achievement and seeing David playing and enjoying with other kids from all over the world are enough memories to last for a lifetime”, beams James who served as his son’s caddie.
“During the tournament, my dad and I learned how to get used to the speed of the greens, to stay focused as the game may not always be going well, and to play by the rules. My dad would always remind me that whatever happens on the golf course stays on the golf course. He is my coach and caddie but, after the game, he is my Papa and I am...David!”, declares the Davao Christian High School grade 2 student.
At home, at last, and with a big smile, David gets back to be the kid that he is.
David is set to join the following tournaments in the next few months: Kids Golf World Championship (Malaysia, Dec. 2018); Future Champion Golf Disney World (Florida, Dec. 2018); IMG-Junior World Championship (Manila, March 2019); and US Kids Golf Qualifying for Age 8 Division (Manila, March 2019).
E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.
No comments:
Post a Comment