Travelogue
Romancing the Canadian Rockies
September 6-12, 2023
by
Ed Abon
We danced.We endured.
And we understood.
Romancing the Canadian
Rockies.
With its picturesque natural formations.
From the caverns, wild
life of the Mountainside Course.
To the hidden undulations of the Riverside
Course.
Up to the stiff hanging cliffs of the Greywolf Course.
With hues
of sundowns, sunrises, silhouettes, shadows.
Outlines of hills,
mountain-tops, valleys, rivers, lake.
Behold and stand in awe.
Mother
Nature at her best in grand splendor.
As old as life itself.
May our
tales and stories, laughters and curses,
Heard loudly, told by the fairways,
bunkers, greens,
Whispered softly by the wind, breeze, rushing of leaves,
Graced by colorful wild flowers, pole pines, sunrays,
Dancing with birds,
bears, cubs, deers, waterfalls,
Nurtured by the fog, sleet, mist, rain,
cascading waters,
Live on.
Long after other groups of UP Beta Sigmans,
From the four corners of the world.
Golf enthusiasts all.
Have come and
gone after us.
They too will dance.
They too will endure.
And they
too will understand.
Ed Abon
21 Sept 2023
Washington D.C.
In the realm of space and time, there will always come an unforgettable episode
that will remain embedded in the memories of those who made that episode happen.
They may call it Destiny or Fate. There is always a start, then comes a series
of events which when put together launch them into a memorable experience,
perhaps, another adventure of a lifetime.
What happened will be told over
and over and over again, whenever those who came and played and cheered and
contributed to its success and even those who, for valid reasons, failed to
join, get together and remember in their own special way those bygone days in
September of 2023 when players and spectators alike, all UP Beta Sigma brothers,
rocked and rolled in the Canadian Rockies.
It was not easy organizing a
Fellowship of Betan Golfers. What started as a wish was put into motion at the
beginning of 2023 when about eight brods, which is the limit for the number
of occupants at the Sun Chaser Resorts time-share privilege of Brod Noli,
signified their desire to participate in the golf fellowship. When the slots
were completed, Brod Noli then made the irreversible reservation of his hideaway
for the period Sept 7-14, 2023. No backing down was allowed from then on. This
year is extra special calling for a special celebration as it marks the 20th
Anniversary of the pioneers, the trailblazers, who got this fellowship rolling
and rocking, namely, Brods Noli Nolasco, Rolly Balingit and Norman Bituin.
Twenty years ago, in 2003, Betan Golf in Canada started with Noli, Rolly and Norm. Levie was Noli's golf buddy in Calgary.
Plans were discussed subsequently. Travel documents were prepared and
schedules were arranged. Like all work and vacation plans, some unavoidable
developments got in the way. Changes and adjustments had to be made in midflight
for valid reasons so the fellowship could take place. The die was cast, however.
There was a need to improvise given that time was running out. Finally, five
brods were able to make it at Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C, the epicenter of the
Golf Fellowship, by taking different routes, a mini adventure by themselves, to
Fairmont.
Brod Norman and I flew to Calgary on September 6. Brod Jayjay
Jaime, who flew in from Vancouver the previous day, met us at the airport and
treated us to a tasty, hearty lunch of BBQ spare ribs at Big T BBQ. Brod Jayjay
had to fly back to Vancouver the next day to entertain dignitaries and
businessmen from the Philippines. It seemed Brod Jayjay flew to Calgary only to
meet us, join the fellowship dinner and to bring his set of golf clubs which I
borrowed. So very kind of him to which I am thankful.
"BIG T BBQ" lunch steak treat by Jay Jay Jayme after picking up Ed Abon & Norm Bituin at Calgary International.
Brod Norman and I
checked in at Days Inn at Strathmore for our overnight stay. Brod Noli collected
us and showed us the way to his home for the welcome dinner. We were joined
there by brods Edwin Acuña, Fred Young, Rex Almonte and Dennis Punzalan bringing
in more food and drinks. Food was delicious and drinks and stories were aplenty
as we spent the rest of day reminiscing tales and stories about the fraternity
and the brods. We would see Brods Edwin and Rex again four days later in
Fairmont for breakfast and lunch with a box of pizza in hand. We cannot thank
our hosts, Brod Noli and his gracious wife, Tessie, enough for the kindness and
hospitality they accorded us. Brod Jayjay had to leave early to catch the fading
daylight on his drive to Calgary. And we had to rest and wake up early too to
prepare for our long drive to Fairmont bringing with us provisions for a 7-day
stay in the Rockies the next morning.
Sept 7, Thursday, Brod Noli picked
us on time and after buying "recycled", but still very good, golf balls at Walmart.
We headed to
Fairmont stopping for lunch at Gong Kee BBQ and Noodle House in Calgary, Brod
Noli’s favorite Chinese resto where I first tried their special sole fish fried
to perfection five years back. We arrived in Fairmont at around 5 pm,
unloaded our things and got ourselves ready to listen to the mini adventure of
kbatch brods Boyet Fernandez and Boy Jaurigue who were holed up in Cranbrook
immensely enjoying themselves.
Brod Noli collects us at Days Inn at Strathmore, AB
Welcome dinner at host Noli Nolasco's house in Strathmore, Alberta
L-R: Norm Bitun, Rex Almonte, Ed Abon, Jay Jay Jayme, Edwin Acuña, Noli Nolasco & Fred Young.
Walmart Strathmore where Brod Noli, DVM, works (for his "golf money, he says). He recently received his 10-year service award.
Brod Ed's favorite pan fried sole fish dish at Calgary's Gong Kee Noodle House.
Brods BoyetF who flew in from Manila and BoyJ took a different route going to Fairmont. Originally, they planned to fly to Vancouver from LA and stay there for a few days, then drive to Fairmont. When some circumstances arose, they had to change plans and flew directly from LA to Cranbrook on Sept 6, the same day that Norman and I flew to Calgary. Little did they know that Cranbrook is a quaint little town and getting a transfer to Fairmont, a good 110 kms away, would be a big challenge. Arriving in Cranbrook in the evening , they stayed overnight at Saint Eugene Casino Resort. They liked the place so much that they decided to stay there a bit longer, cool their heels, practice their golf swing and putting and experience the hospitality of the place. When we picked them up at around 7:30 pm, I could sense that they were not so excited to see us as Brod Boy, with the encouragement of Brod Boyet, was still using his charm and was about to succeed on working a pretty Filipina to drive them to Fairmont that night. When we arrived, he lost his chance to show his skills. They were relieved however to see our smiles and that we were there finally to bring them to Fairmont and taste the culinary skills of Brod Noli.
Driving thru the Canadian Rockies to the B.C. "Golf Corridor"
Meeting up with Boy Jaurigue & Boyet Fernandez. Kumpleto na ang 2023 UP Tabets Canada golf barkada.
Brod Noli is a very good cook. He prepared our breakfast and dinner. He grilled our two dinners of steak to perfection which we devoured quickly with the help of some bottles of fruity local red wines. He must have perfected his skills cooking for Sis Tessie. In one of our dinners, he prepared the best pork sinigang dish in Canada. Brod Boyet dubbed it “Sinigang in the Rockies”. As a testament, hardly any food was left and discarded during our stay. All were eaten too to perfection. Hail to the Chef.
Where the culinary and gastronomic action happen!
We played three
rounds of golf one each at the Mountainside Course and Riverside Course in
Fairmont and the Greywolf Course in Panorama City. Like every golf course, each
has its own distinguishing character. We enjoyed playing them. Amongst the
three, we were unanimous in saying that Greywolf was the most challenging
especially the par 3 hole no. 6, the Cliffhanger hole, where you have to carry
your ball a good 145 yards else your ball will fall into a ravine. The view from
the tee box is awesome especially if you are able to hit your ball safely to the
other side. Brod Boyet and I double bogeyed this hole and we were all satisfied.
All our balls crossed to the other side. The balls of Brods Boyet and Boy flew into
the bunker while mine hit the edge of the green and rolled back near the edge of
the cliff which was still playable but I did not dare hit it from there. I am
sure Brods Noli and Norman fared better in this hole. To think that the course
marshal was watching us play this hole added confidence and, of course,
showmanship to our strokes. Brod Boy had the lowest score in this course at 89.
He really putted well using his measuring device.
Mountainside GC
Wildlife roam on the fairway
Do you see the momma black bear and the baby cubs climbing the tree?
Too close for comfort to the tee box, this bear family was raiding the fruit trees at a backyard. We decided to skip the hole.
[Turn on sound and click here for short video clip]
Riverside GC
Brods practice their putting stroke at picturesque Greywolf GC in Panorama, B.C.
On the driving range, the slope becomes a nice ski run during winter.
The Cliffhanger hole #6. Left: Panzers all - Boyet, Boy and Ed. Right: 60's SOMA - Norm & Noli.
What do you call a
fellowship without the sound of music playing to soothe our aching limbs?
Unthinkable, is it not? But, hey, Brod Norman came prepared with his playlists
that bridged the age gap from oldies, to rock to jazz to instrumental and
classical music. He had them all in his Bose Micro bluetooth speaker which, like
an orchestra in a surround stereo setting, had all of us singing along to the
hit songs of our youth from the Beatles to Beach Boys to Cascades to Lettermen
to whatever band and group you could think of in the 60s and 70s and even the
80s. The songs kept Brod Noli awake during those long drives thru the Rockies.
The songs also lulled us to sleep especially during our last night together. The
voices were a bit out of rhythm like our swings but who cared? Nobody was
complaining as we drank and whiled our last night away, a bit tipsy but
definitely happy. In those six nights, the Rockies danced and rocked and rolled to
our boisterous singing voices.
As they say, all good things must come to
an end and the end came on Sept 12 when Brods Norman, Boyet and Boy flew out of
Cranbrook, the place Boyet and Boy loved so much. Brod Noli and I put the day to
good use by resting. The ambiance had changed and even the Rockies and the
heavens looked sad. The following day, 13 Sept, we drove back to Calgary. I
stayed overnight at Comfort Inn and Suites near the airport then caught an early
afternoon flight back to Washington D.C.
Doing groceries for the grilled rib eye steak & local wine dinner.
Best part of the day: chillin' with oft-repeated, ne'er forgotten frat stories late thru the night with the brods.
Panatiko talaga si Brod Noli. Can you pick the three Betan logos on his Titan truck?
"Parting is such sweet sorrow"
"Parting is such sweet
sorrow", says Shakespeare, and that was how I felt and, I believe, so did Brods
Noli, Norman, Boyet and Boy. On my way to the gate, I wondered if I would pass
this way again, to this wonderful Betan sanctuary offering rejuvenation and
redemption to tired souls. The last word from Brod Noli is that "the next Golfing
in the Rockies will be on September 2025". We will be intimately
caressing the Rockies. Yes, you heard it right, caressing the Rockies, the next
time around.
Soon, the seasons will turn and the Canadian Rockies will be
again in full bloom, beckoning. He will call for the next flights of Betans to
create their own memories. Those who will heed the call will be fulfilling their
dreams. Brods Noli, Norman, Boyet, Boy and I have chased and realized ours.
Soon, the time for other brods to seize their dreams, to romance the Canadian
Rockies, will also come by.
Ed Abon
21 Sept 2023
Washington D.C.
P.S.
After bringing Brods Norman, Boyet and Boy to the airport at
Cranbrook, Brod Noli and I went back to Fairmont and rested at our room. Later,
I found myself walking to the teebox of hole no. 1 at Greywolf. The Panzer batch
brods composed of kbatch brods Rolly Balingit, BoyetF, BoyJ and I were in one
flight and we teed off ahead of Brods Lakan Fonacier, Jayjay Jaime, NoliN and
NormanB. All of us were playing unusually well throwing pars and birdies all over
the course. Brod Rolly almost eagled hole no. 5 birdieing it. He also birdied
hole no. 6, the cliff hanger hole. Rolly was on the roll. Brod Lakan
sandy-parred hole no. 6 and was having a streak of pars while the rest of us
scored either par, bogey or double bogey. Brod Jayjay hit his ball at hole no.
9, ten feet to the pin, missed his birdie putt, his ball lipping the hole
and had an easy par. Brod Norman was hitting his drives consistently the
farthest but was hooking his approach shots. Brods Boyet, Boy and I were reading
the greens wrongly and were frustrated. Brod Boyet putted better with one hand. Brod
Noli’s short game was the envy of all taking only one putt to hole his ball most
of the time. The brods were enjoying their games and were looking forward to a
hearty dinner of rib eye steak grilled to perfection by Chef Noli over bottles
of Shiraz. Our voices and laughters echoed in the valley. The brods were fondly
and sweetly romancing the Canadian Rockies. The brods were having fun.
Suddenly, I woke up. It was all a dream. A very good dream. How I wished it was
not.
The last goodbye at Fairmont and Calgary. And until next in 2025!
*****************************************
*Web note: To read the two published travelogue articles on Betan Canadian Golf, click the direct links below.
o "Betan Golf in the Canadian Rockies", by Rolly Balingit, 2011 Sep 18
o "UP Beta Sigmans' Golfing Holiday at the Canadian Rockies", by Gilbert Joven, 2013 Sep 30