Ask any 9-year-old boy what he’d do after school and on his spare time during weekends. No surprise, the reply would be basketball, computer games or just watching tv. But this boy is different. He prefers to while away his time hitting those dimpled balls at the old Lanang Golf driving range and perfect his stance and swing.
That’s right folks, my column for this week is about this boy who cried golf and who’ll pester his dad for everything just to drive him for practice range every time the itch for the game hit him.
Ernest James Casintahan is our choice (Edge Davao) as Golfer of the month for August 2023. This shy and unassuming 30-year-old young man is the Overall Gross Champion of the 4th Beehive Golf tournament last August 5 at the Rancho Palos Verdes, the Overall Gross Champion during the 31st Durian Tee in August 13 and 6th placer in Team Competition in Recovery golf tournament after scoring 100 Molave points or 8 over during the two-day tourney.
Why golf EJ?
“Actually, my father Boy Casintahan is a health buff and he introduced us at our early age to sports. He used to play golf with his fellow Rotarians but spend also most of his time in the gym for his body building workout. My two brothers would cling to my him in the gym but me, I’d rather be left alone in the driving range of Lanang under the care of Coach Roland “says EJ Casintahan, a scratch player from the Rancho Palos Verdes golf club.” As early as 9 years old, I was already hitting divots under the sun at the Lanang and Matina golf courses of old while my other siblings were having their time under the comfort of air-conditioned room whiling away their times.” EJ added.
During his third year in college in Ateneo de Davao, he was recruited by Manila schools to play in the UAAP varsity as a golfer but EJ bulked at the offer since he need to revert back as freshmen once again in Manila of which he considered as two wasted years.
He continued his college degree in Ateneo and earned his degree in Entrepreneurship and now manages his father’s plastic business during the day and spend around two nights per week at the range correcting and perfecting his swing and spend an average of two afternoons in a week at the fairways of his home course, the Rancho Palos Verdes.
How many hole in ones have you made in your young career? I asked.” Actually, I have three already. Two in the old Matina golf and one in Hole No 11 of Apo golf “he fired back. “Actually, I also made a double eagle in Hole No 8 of Palos Verdes, a Par 5 which for me is more difficult than a hole in one” EJ added.
That’s quite a feat considering that EJ never put a wood in his bag but instead prefer to utilize only irons, a driver and a putter while playing. He has mastered his irons to perfection thus his confidence when hitting long shots of which many of average golfers would prefer to be hit by woods or hybrids.
Do you have plans of turning pro? No, no, no, he blurted. I prefer to remain as amateur and am enjoying it. I prefer to play in national competitions and compete with my fellow amateurs especially in the PAL Interclub, the Fil Am and I would have love to compete in the WAGC qualifier in Malarayat but unfortunately the qualifying tournament will coincide exactly with the same weekend for the Eaglemasters in September 21 to 24 thus losing my chance to compete in Phuket Thailand in November.
What’s in your bag EJ? “I am using a Driver Titleist TSR3 Ventus blue TR stiff 60g 10.5 degrees. Tour world Irons 757b, Project X riffle 130g Extra stiff, (3 to Pitching) 52 and 58-degree wedge and PXG Bat Attack putter “he consented.
Any other plans after your practice tonight? “That depends on my girlfriend, Tito” he replied back with that sheepish grin.
Okay EJ, Good luck. Foooore.
