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The global automotive brand from Stuttgart, Germany has its roots in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes and Karl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the latter widely regarded as the first gasoline-powered automobile.
It was only in 1926 that the Mercedes-Benz brand for the automobile came about, with the merger of the Karl Benz companies and Gottlieb Daimler.
Since then, Mercedes-Benz has always been known as a standard of German engineering, luxury, quality and, of course, fine taste.
Owning a Mercedes-Benz has always been a symbol of having "made it" in the world.
Small wonder then that the brand is "the best or nothing."
(From left) Marvin Caparros, Alfonso Olondriz, Kenneth Hing, the author, Dr. Benedicto Oreta and Gregorio Vergara.
Yes, much is known about Mercedes-Benz throughout history, but perhaps not so much about the Mercedes Trophy.
The Mercedes Trophy is an exclusive, by-invitation-only international golf tournament series for Mercedes-Benz customers and potential customers who are golf enthusiasts. It started in 1989 as a tournament series for amateurs, but in 1991, the first Mercedes Trophy for customers and potential customers took place.
Now on its 29th year, the tournament series has established itself in every continent. More than 57,000 golfers from over 50 countries take part in this annual tournament.
Golf has always been an integral part of Mercedes-Benz's involvement in sports. Aside from the Mercedes Trophy, the PGA Champions League, the Open Championship and the Ryder Cup, just to name a few.
(From left) Tournament director Marvin Caparros, Auto Nation Group Inc. Chairman Gregorio Yu and President Felix Ang, Ladies champion Marie Claire Ong, Class A champion Alfonso Olondriz, Class B champion Kenneth Hing, the author (Class B first runner-up) , Class A first runner-up Mark Anthony Dy, Class C first runner-up Gregorio Vergara and Class C champion Dr. Benedicto Oreta.
The golf tournament consists of three levels. First is the invitational tournaments at the end of the world. The Trophy is the ultimate winner in Stuttgart. Those who qualify for the global finals will be the players who have won the national or regional finals in their countries / regions.
This year, the country of the year before, the Auto Nation Group of Felix Ang and Gregorio Yu invited me to play in the final Mercedes National Trophy.
The Trophy was celebrating its 13th year in the Philippines. The Philippine leg winners would get the chance to play in the regional finals in Australia (on its 28th year) and, if triumphant, move on to the world finals traditionally held at the "home" of the automobile in Stuttgart, Germany.
I'm happy to say that I was lucky to make this time, after several attempts, to the Asian finals in Brisbane, Australia as part of Team Philippines.
Daimler South East Asia Pte. Ltd. President and CEO Wolfgang Huppenbauer with Dr. Benedicto Oreta.
To be sure, it was not just luck, but sheer, serious preparation. After my last failed attempt, I will be prepared for myself both physically and mentally. Indeed, you do not know what you sow.
I made it to the distinguished list of businessmen-golfers who prevailed in the national finals held at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club, arguably one of the best races not only in the Philippines but also in Asia.
The winners in the national finals were Alfonso Olondriz (Class A champion), Mark Anthony Dy (Class A first runner-up), Kenneth Hing (Class B champion), Mike Toledo (Class B first runner-up), Benedicto Oreta (Class C champion), Gregorio Vergara (first runner-up class C) and Marie Claire Ong (ladies champion).
I heard a lot of things from the winners about the über VIP treatment the Mercedes-Benz organization would have you, but that did not prepare me for what I would dub as "the experience of a lifetime."
With his Javi Toledo.
We flew Business Class on Philippine Airlines' new Airbus Neo jets directly to Brisbane. Our President and President, Jimmy Bautista, who, by the way, made a "hole in one" during the tournament. For this feat, he brought home a brand-new Harley-Davidson.
Upon arrival in Brisbane, we were met by Mercedes-Benz's competent and courteous staff (Mercedes-Benz, of course) at the picturesque Intercon Sanctuary Cove Resort, where spacious and well-appointed rooms with a fantastic view of the gardens and the water awaited us.
Aside from the two-day tournament – The Sanctuary Cove (golf nirvana!) – The participants and the Palms races in Sanctuary Cove – participants were feted every day with a cornucopia of activities ranging from sumptuous breakfasts, lunches and dinners to exquisite cocktail party with live entertainment, no less.
One of the highlights of the Mercedes-Benz driving experience at the Mt. Cotton training facility where professional drivers-instructors are taught to drive on the road and at the same time, showcase the engineering and technology marvel of its cars.
An adrenaline-charged and power-packed Mercedes-Benz experience, believe me.
The author at the Mercedes Trophy Asian finals in Brisbane, Australia.
And I am happy to say that I have not won the first round of the game, but I have a second round. It must have been exhausted as I have never played three successive rounds of golf competition before, in the morning, in the morning. morning Philippine time.
Ahh, but not Dr. Dict Oreta, the Class C champion of the Philippine leg. The cool doctor was steadfast and consistent in his shots. In the World Finals in Germany. Well done, Doc!
My congratulations to the Mercedes-Benz organizing committee and Daimler South East Asia President and CEO Wolfgang Huppenbauer.
Here in the Philippines, take a bow, the inimitable "Mr. Mercedes-Benz "Felix Ang and Greg Yu, our captain Marvin Caparros, and the omnipresent marketing lady Fatima Cullado, who, with captain Marvin, made sure we had a great time.
To my talented teammates, it was a pleasure indeed to have played and broken bread with all of you.
Our time in Brisbane is seared in my memory forever.
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