by Conrad Benitez
I was at Valley Golf Club playing with my sons at around the same time the (Pangandaman) incident happened. We were oblivious to what happened as we started on the back nine. The incident happened in the front 9. From the accounts of other golfers, however, apparently what the de la Paz family has been saying was not quite accurate.
Bambi De la Paz did not mention (in her blog) that she and her brother were playing as a twosome with their father walking with them. This is not allowed on weekends and holidays, as golfers are supposed to utilize the flights efficiently, and there should have been 3 or 4 in the flight.
She did not also mention that her father told her and her brother to hit their shots even if the flight in front of them was still in range. And this was on the 4th and 5th hole. In golf, doing something like this once can cause an accident, but doing it twice on consecutive holes just invites trouble.
She also did not mention that when the flight ahead got to the tee house after hole No. 5, they waved them to go ahead, but instead Mr. De la Paz started cursing them and poking Pangandaman Jr. with his umbrella.
I do not condone their beating up the father and son, but someone who provokes the incident should not now try to look so sanctimonious and aggrieved.
The matter is under investigation and I’m sure there are a lot of witnesses who will not be intimidated by either party.
The best advice here is what I read from a friend in another chat group. Suspend them both until they agree to play with each other in a friendly match.