What they wore at Open....

Bubba Watson/Getty Image

There were some interesting apparel and fashion going on at the US Open these past few days.  Start with Bubba Watson's camouflage by Travis Matthew.  Bubba went from PGA's boy band to Army boy. Camouflage are great on the battlefield but not on the greens.  At least Watson had an excuse. He wore them to raise awareness and funds for  the US military families.

Davis Love III/Getty Image

Some have labeled this outfit the mid-life crisis pink pants.  Paired with his usual universal blue and white striped shirt sans the Dockers Khakis, it was like half of him was going for cautious and the other half an attempt at going wild.

Ryo Ishikawa/ Getty Image

Japan's number 1 player and national superstar Ryo Ishikawa can carry pink! 

Ricky Fowler/ Getty Image

PGA Boy Band Ricky Fowler's hat and shirt ALWAYS match. But why?????  I love the color.... It's just that his hat always seems to be too big for his head.  Oh well.

Peter Ulheim/ Getty Image

US amateur Peter Ulheim reminds us that the hat and shirt don't have to match.....

Graeme McDowell/Getty Image

McDowell isn't exactly dressed like he was out to defend his title at the 2011 US Open.  We've seen better outfits on Graeme.  

Johan Edfors/ Nick Wass Image/AP

Don't you just love how Johan Edfors dresses up when he plays?  This Swede gets it right all the time.

Martin Kaymer/Getty Image

Martin Kaymer keeps it simple.  Classic.  I like it!

Rory McIlroy/Getty Image

My man Rory wears the Oakley belt.  I so want him to win. Let's go Rory!!!!  

The best golf buddy one could have...

My 80- year old golfing buddy

Hands down my favorite golfing buddy in the world is 80-year old Charlie.  Happy Fathers day Dad!  You have made my golfing days so much more fun....

Oh, oh, oh, my golf boys....

"Oh, oh, oh" I want my birdies all day long.... !!!  The PGA's exclusive boy band  featuring Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Ben Crane and Hunter Mahan.

Check this out...

Royal St. George/ image from www.opengolf.com

My dearest girlfriend Meg from college reminded me that the British Open 2011 was coming up in July and that I should go over and watch. Meg lives in the United Kingdom and not very far from Royal St. George in Kent where the British Open golf championship would be held.

 image from www.opengolf.com

 image from www.opengolf.com

Did I need convincing???? Does the sun rise and set each day??? Was I crazy not to accept? But wait, did I even have a visa and how long would that take to get? The Open championship is only a few weeks away!

So I decide to apply for a visa. My interview was set for June 7. In less than 24 hours I got a text message from the UK visa processing office in Manila that my visa had been processed and that I could pick up my passport the following day.  I kid you not.  It was that easy!!!!

Amazing! I guess I was meant to go!

So if anyone wants to watch the British Open in the U.K. And need a visa real quick here is the process:

Go to: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

1. Fill in the application online and submit it. Take note that the U.K. Visa processing office in Manila will not accept applications other than those filled up online.
2. Once you have completed the application form continue to the section to schedule your appointment. I had my appointment for 10:55am and still made it in time for my luncheon meeting in Makati.
3. Make sure that you bring all the necessary documents required on the day of your appointment. For a complete list check out the document requirements section online. This will usually be your birth certificate, marriage certificate, employment certification and the like. You will also need a 2x2 picture.
4. You will need to pay your visa processing fee prior to the appointment. There is a Union Bank a few yards a way from the U.K. Visa processing office in Pasong Tamo extension that will accept your payment.
5. No cellphones, ipads, iphones and other gadgets allowed. You will be asked to deposit these before entering their office. Make sure to bring proper identification. This is required at the entrance of the building.
   That's it! As simple as that.
   British Open 2011 here I come!!!!!
   
   

Baguio's best kept Secret

The garden at Mama's Table

It was a very intimate dinner. There was no signs leading to this very private home that served the most amazing 8 course degustation meal. The place... “Mama's Table”. The Chef, Vicky Tinio Clemente. A former law clerk in Canada who later in her career discovered there was more to life than working in a law firm. This brought her to the French Culinary Institute in New York (Jacques Pepin, Jacques Torres, Andre Soltner) to master classic French cooking then back to the Philippines to indulge in her new passion.

The Forest Hills Ladies team headed to Baguio to compete in the 2011 Asian Ladies golf tournament at the Camp John Hay golf and country club. To take a break from the intense practice rounds and tournament days, my teammates planned a quiet 8 course degustation dinner in this private home called “Mama's”. I go up to Baguio quite often but have never heard of ”Mama's Table” and being one to never refuse good food and wine I was looking forward to this evening meal.

It was quite foggy driving to Mama's Table and we had missed the turn as there was no signage whatsoever.We arrived to an ancestral home of sorts. We rang the bell and Chef Vicky personally welcomed us to Mama's Table. As we entered the room I was surprised to see this....

Mama's living room leading to our dinner table

The fireplace

The Sala

It was her home and it was transformed into a most lovely dining area for the Forest Hills Ladies team.

Forest Hills Ladies Team 

To start we had home cured tomatoes marinated in olive oil and herbs from her own garden, artichokes baked in a parmesan cheese sauce, and a gorgeous chicken liver pate.

Our hors d'oeuvres

Plants, foliage and flowers everywhere

This 8 course degustation started with...

Then the main event...

After each course Chef vicky would come out and personally explain how she prepared each dish. The slow roasting of beef bones and vegetables, herbs and spices to make just the perfect “au jus” to pour on our tenderloin. Making sure that we appreciated the tasting of the various courses she prepared.

And this was dessert....

After dinner you could choose from the various bottled goodies she makes. It's the perfect pasalubong.

Pasalubong

It was a marvelous dinner made more special because it felt like you were in your own home being served like you were in a 5-star restaurant.

And this is Baguio's best kept secret...

Mama's Table can be reached for private dinners at +63 9156438775/ (074) 4421794

Forest Hills ladies team with Chef Vicky