“I don’t believe it. You are kidding me aren’t you? This is not happening. I want to check those scores” cried Steve as the final results were read out. It was a history making day (see Steve - A picture of disbelief photos or should that be ‘Steve in self denial?’)

Yarra Bend, 7^th November, 2006: Steph started serving coffee in the car park about 6.20am as players began arriving to contest the annual Melbourne Cup Cup for 2006, traditionally held at Yarra Bend, in Kew, Victoria. This was the second last nnomads Golf Club sanctioned event for 2006.

Sponsored by ‘The Brothers’ Steve and Pete, the Melbourne Cup Cup has a10 year history in which ‘The Brothers’ have almost always won the event. In effect Steve and Pete have been presenting the trophy to each other every year since the event’s inception. “Yeah it has been a very cosy arrangement between them for years. They share the glory and get a new trophy every other year.” commented Ashley, who as a long term competitor, has been watching this behaviour year after year.

A High Quality Field: As usual the event attracted a high quality field of competitors. Fang, Tom, Brendan and Steph were the first group off the tee followed by Harry, Pete (event co sponsor), Fritz and Ashley in the second group. Steve (event co sponsor), Emile and Mark rounded out the field in the last but very competitive 3^rd group (see photos of Player Groups for 2006 and A glimpse of the day).

One reason this event is always hotly contested is the quality of the trophy received by the winner. Traditionally (but not always), the trophy for the Melbourne Cup Cup golf event is a replica of the ‘The Melbourne Cup’ trophy (the horserace event held in Melbourne on the same day). In any case it has always been a great looking and quality trophy (good enough for ‘The Brothers’ to put on their mantelpiece year after year). Hence, many players over the years have aspired to winning a Melbourne Cup Cup trophy to put on their mantelpiece. In addition, because nobody other than ‘The Brothers’ ever wins the trophy, it is even more of a challenge to try and win one. “It is just one of those trophies you really want to win. It’s just one of a kind.” recalled Gordon from his hospital bed when committee members were on a visit. Note: Gordon is the only other person to have ever won the event, some years ago. Steve and Pete hate talking about that year. “That’s where selective memory comes into play.” said Pete when last reminded of the event. “It was the year we introduced computer scoring and I’m still not sure what happened.” added Steve glumly. Just as an aside, ‘The Brothers’ made a mistake with the trophy this year. Somehow 2007 was engraved onto the trophy instead of 2006. “Nothing a bit of texta-colour can’t fix.” retorted in Pete when someone first noticed, and with a flick of the wrist he corrected the mistake (see trophies: One to left clearly shows the texta correction while one to right clearly shows the 2007 engraving).

History in the Making: So it was with absolute amazement and with great delight that players were congratulating Brendan rather than one of ‘The Brothers’ after the scores were read out at the end of the game. Brendan got around Yarra Bend in 84 off the stick and with a Callaway handicap of 10 he ended up net 74. This was one stroke in front of Steve who got around in 89 off the stick, had a Callaway handicap of 14, a net score of 75 and thus came in 2^nd place. ‘The Brothers’ couldn’t believe it at first, but eventually came around to the idea of someone else winning their event.

“This is one of the most enjoyable wins of my career. It was a delight just to see their faces.” sported Brendan as Pete presented him with the 2006 (or 2007) trophy (see The 2006 presentations). Fang came in a credible 3^rd place giving him a ball, while Brendan and Harry took out two of the three NTPs. Of note for the club championship, was Emile who won the event on handicap. (Note: While the MCC is a Callayway event, the scores are also used in the nnomads Golf Club championship calculations. For this purpose normal handicaps are used and it was in this scenario that Emile won the event). This was thus an excellent performance for a new nnomads Golf Club member and he was awarded a number of balls for his efforts. “My time is coming.” Emile added as Pete handed him some balls.

Forever Changed: And so it was for another year, except that the Melbourne Cup Cup will never be the same again. The strangle hold on the event by “the Brothers’ has been finally broken and a new champion has been installed. “Hey come off it. We have had minor glitches before. Let’s see what happens next year eh” Steve was heard saying after the presentations. “A mere flash in the pan.” added Pete as he headed for his car.

The Club Committee congratulates Brendan on his historic win in 2006 and thanks ‘The Brothers’ for another brilliantly run event, albeit with an outcome they didn’t expect.

Results: Melbourne Cup Cup 2006

MCC - On Callaway Handicap	9 holes	9 holes	Total Score	Handicap	Net score	Prizes	Number of balls won
Brendan	42	42	84	10	74	1^st prize = 4 balls NTP = 2 balls	6
Steve S	46	43	89	14	75	2^nd = 3 balls	3
Fang	49	50	99	23	76	3^rd = 2 balls	3
Tom	50	45	95	18	77
Steph	52	46	98	21	77
Mark F	52	57	109	31	78
Ashley	53	49	102	24	78
Emile	52	56	108	29	79	1st on handicap = 2 balls	2
Harry V	47	61	108	29	79	NTP = 2 balls	2
Fritz	57	53	110	31	79
Pete S	55	59	114	34	80

Steve - A picture of disbelief

Player Groups

A glimpse of the day

The 2006 presentations

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