GOLFERS, whether professional or amateur, do not rely only on skills or expertise alone, but on their caddies’ knowledge to navigate their way around the different conditions of the courses. Golf was really designed for two people, so a golfer-caddie relationship is very critical.

A caddy’s role is not just to carry bags all with 14 clubs inside, but even more important, he is to provide critical information on distance, wind speed and direction, pin placements and hazards that allow a golfer to focus on other matters as club selection and shot execution.

Unfortunately, the pros seem to be the only ones who fully utilize the services of caddies, but not much by the amateurs. However, things could change now with the introduction of the SkyCaddie, according to SkyGolf-Asia’s Ken McSwain.

In an interview with McSwain at the Camp John Hay Golf Club over the weekend, the SkyCaddie maps the ground by skilled golfers and caddies who work on location with survey-grade equipment.

“After gaining permission and insight from the local golf professionals, our certified professionals physically visit each course. They meticulously walk, map, record and triple-check for accuracy every possible target that might come into play. We know that you want the most accurate information. The accuracy provides the distance information you need to play your best,” McSwain told Greenside Chip.

And to ensure accuracy, up to 40 targets per hole can be available if needed. This generous expansion takes more time to record, but it allows inclusion of distances to all bunkers and their carries, too. Also, creeks, fairway runouts or blind hazards are available if needed to avoid a spoiled round.

The SkyCaddie also has a Propriety IntelliGreen technology that provides distances to any point on the green from any approach angle, automatically. In fact, up to three key distances can be calculated and displayed simultaneously to include carry to front and back of the green, plus any target point in between, based upon the angle of attack selected by the golfer.

“The result is a map that is both accurate and up-to-date, plus the added benefit of a professional caddie’s experience. As a result, you end up with proven results that only SkyCaddie can provide. We work with each of our golf courses individually to provide you with the latest in course management,” he said.

In addition, McSwain explained that less expensive methods, such as taking satellite images, are never used because we believe these methods are unreliable and not accurate enough for golfers.

McSwain said that SkyGolf-Asia has already mapped 25 golf courses in the Philippines and is scheduled to chart 25 more until June.

“Players need not worry because the SkyCaddie has already been allowed for use by the R&A and USGA—two golf governing bodies in the United States. This will help in our mission that is to grow the game of golf by using technology in a responsible way to improve pace of play, enhance enjoyment of the game and ultimately increase participation without compromising the traditions of the game,” McSwain added.

Jungolf circuit at Orchard

A TOTAL of 120 junior golfers troop to the Orchard Golf and Country Club today for the eighth leg of the Samsung Jungolf Tour in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

AR Ramos, the only Filipino winner in the recent Asia-Pacific junior championships at Sherwood Hills, leads the jam-packed roster as local jungolfers play one of the remaining two tournaments before school opens in June.

Art Arbole and Bino de la Paz will also be seeking their second-straight wins in the circuit backed chiefly by Samsung, and supported by Diamond Motors Inc. Orchard and Sta. Lucia Realty are providing free use of the course in support of youth development.

The wins of Arbole and de la Paz in the recent Tat Filipinas leg also earned them spots to the team that will be sent by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines  to the Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship next month.

Arbole posted a 226 total to capture Class A (15-17 years) while dela Paz aggregated 233 to top the Class B (13-14 years) category.

Joining Arbole and dela Paz in the Jakarta tourney slated June 3-6 at the Damai Indah Golf Club’s Pantai Indah Kapuk course are Areanne Salvador and Anne Sabater.

Sabater finished first in Class B with her 260 while Salvador wound up seventh in Class A.

Piston-Celtics collision was course charted even before season’s tip-off

The Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons meeting in the Eastern Conference finals seemed inevitable the moment Kevin Garnett heeded the advice of Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups and left Minnesota to join All-Stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in Boston.

Defense watchword for Lakers against defending champions

The Lakers were enjoying their dinner at a South Bay restaurant, each receiving a $9,800 watch as a gift from Kobe Bryant, when it reality hit.

THE Talk ’N Text Phone Pals have the solo leadership in mind as they go up against struggling but still dangerous Purefoods TJ Giants in the main game of the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference tonight at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Louie Alas has succeeded in basketball long enough it’s hard to believe he hasn’t won a championship in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

Willy Wang led a Philippine team that performed above expectations with two gold medals in the recent seventh Asian Wushu Championship in Macau.

SWIMMING, the sport that did the country proud in last year’s 24th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), and which has qualified the most number of Filipino athletes to the Beijing Olympic Games in August, is in troubled waters.

Tagaytay City—The first of two Philippine editions of the Mercedes-Benz Tour formally opens on Wednesday with the top 30 Asean golfers and 90 amateurs vying for top honors in the pro-am side event slated at the rolling course of the Tagaytay Midlands Golf and Country Club course.

GOLFERS, whether professional or amateur, do not rely only on skills or expertise alone, but on their caddies’ knowledge to navigate their way around the different conditions of the courses. Golf was really designed for two people, so a golfer-caddie relationship is very critical.

The pressure of winning has taken its toll on school athletes. Many schools today are fighting over talent and are usually moving heaven and earth to get the players to assure them of sporting success.