Mornington
Peninsular, 14th October, 2006: It was around 10.30am
on the Saturday morning when the 15 invited players started to congregate at
the first tee at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort on the
Mornington Peninsular. They were there
to contest the Balnarring Invitational Tournament (a handicap event) and the
Tullum Sands Callaway Cup Classic (a Callaway handicap event) for 2006.
Harry
provided the pre-game player briefing. “All penalties are one stroke, there
are no give-mes so you have to putt out, one mulligan for players with a
handicap of 20+ and 2 mulligan for handicaps of 30+. Keep up with the group in
front and good luck.” Then around 11am the first group with Brendan, Steve
and Pete led the field away, followed by Rodney, Fang, Bryan and Min in the
second group, Harry, Emile, Tim and Steph in the third group and Tom, Mark V,
Jack and Fritz rounding out the field (see photos of the 2006 Player Groups). Actually, tee off wasn’t quite as
smooth as it sounds because Fritz, who is known for his fine timelines at major
events, cut it so fine that he still hadn’t arrived after the third of the four
groups had teed off. “Play very very
slowly for the first couple of holes to give Fritz a chance to join the last
group.” Harry had said to the first three groups, which worked because
Fritz eventually did arrive with absolutely no time to spare. “I might have
missed the photos but I have never missed a game” he said in his own
defence when questioned by competition officials.
BIT of a
Challenge in Tough Conditions: Designed by internationally renowned golf
course architect, Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the ACR 70 - RACV Cape Schanck Golf
Course is said, on its web site, ‘to offer a challenge to all levels
of golfer. Built on centuries-old sand dunes overlooking Bass Straight, the
scenic views are spectacular with wide fairways bound by coastal scrub leading
to large, well-manicured, undulating greens’.
And
a challenge it proved to be for anyone who didn’t hit the ball straight. In
addition, the wind came into play on the second nine making it even more
challenging for the players. “That’s the first time I have used a 3 wood to
go 148 meters and end up short” commented Steph as he described his tee
shot into the wind on the par 3, 14th hole. “Yeah well I used a
driver and didn’t get there” retorted Min not to be out done. “I didn’t
think the fairways were that wide and the coastal scrub they talk about was
bloody thick” added Harry who was looking for an excuse after losing 11
balls for the day. “It wasn’t that
bad if you were careful and took your time with your shots” commented
Rodney (See Selected On-Course Photos).
Note: Rodney was in the second player group with Fang, Bryan C and Min who
finished their round 1-hour after the 1st player group. “Six hours in carts! It’s just not
possible! What were they doing out there?” screamed the guy in the pro shop
at Harry as the final group eventually finished. “I am sorry mate but we do have a couple of interstate players
in that group. I can’t think of any
other reason they would be that slow” mumbled Harry as he cowered in front
of the extremely irate official. “It might be time we went to another
course” suggested Emile as he watched on from a safe distance. “Yeah,
Eagle Ridge should have forgotten us by now” added Tom who could see the
sense in what Emile was saying.
Few Proved Up To The Challenge: So at the end of a very challenging day of competition
there were only four players with sub 100 gross scores including Brendan on 90
strokes, Jack on 96 strokes, Steph on 97 and Rodney on 99 strokes. The rest of
the field ranged widely from Tom with 104 strokes to Harry with 134 off the
stick. “Look I thought I did very well under the circumstances”
reinforced Fritz who ended towards the back of the field on 118 strokes off the
stick. Note: Fritz hadn’t played golf in over 6 months due to injury. In
addition, he played the entire round with only two clubs - a putter and a five
iron, including a number of shots out of bunkers with the five iron. “At one
stage I thought he was going to use his putter to get out of a bunker”
mused Jack. “Yeah it was pretty entertaining to watch. I was amazed what you
can do with a five iron” added a somewhat stunned Mark V, who was playing
with the nnomads golf club for the first time.
Steph Wins His
First Major: But
of course the Balnarring Invitational Tournament is a handicap event so it was
the net scores that really mattered. And at the end of the day there were five
players within three strokes of the 2006 winner including Rodney and Tom on a
net 78, Jack and Emile on net 77 and runner-up Brendan on net 76. But none were
good enough to beat Steph with his net score of 75 strokes, which was five over
for the day. “My success? Well I think the course was set up for me today
Harry. My game, my whole approach, I just had a great feeling on the first tee.
It is going to be great for my game. It was a great relief. I can see me going
ahead in leaps and bounds from now on” commented Steph when interviewed
after the presentations (see highlights of Interview
with winner with the BIT 2006).
Another Playoff Decides The Callaway: The
second event of the day was the coveted Tullam Sands Callaway Cup Classic,
which proved to be a much closer affair.
At the end of the day there was Jack, Emile, Bryan C, Fang and Steve all
on 77 strokes, just two strokes behind the leaders. Then there came Tom only
one stroke behind on 76 strokes, with Brendan and Rodney each ending up on 75
strokes in equal 1st place.
Now for those that aren’t aware, Brendan won the TSCCC last year in a
play-off held at Flinders, early on the Sunday morning, against Steve. This
year Brendan did the same, beating Rodney in a play-off, once again held at
Flinders on the Sunday morning. This
year Brendan had a blinder of a round gaining 85 strokes off the stick and a
net 71 to beat Rodney by nine strokes. “Look there was the jet lag we
interstate players have to suffer and my sore knee. You bastards made me
walk Flinders on Friday even after I asked for a buggy. What do you expect
after all that?” explained a disappointed Rodney after the play-off. When asked about the source of his success
two years in a row, Brendan just said, “Oh Mate - Put you head down
and play golf” (see highlights of Interview
with winner TSCCC 2006).
TSCCC
Presentations ‘On the Beach’: So the final
presentations for the TSCCC occurred after the game on Sunday at Tom’s on the
beachfront. Brendan was presented the perpetual Tullum Sands Callaway Cup for
winning the event and Rodney was presented with three balls for being
runner-up. “You guys are generous
with the balls I must say. I’m going home with 6 of them” gleamed Rodney as
he was handed the balls (see photos of the playoff at Flinders and the TSCCC Presentations.) “I would have
thought we would get breakfast after that?” quizzed Brendan as Harry tried
to look busy. Note: Rodney then
proceeded to leave behind all three balls, his precious Royal Fremantle Golf
Club hat, his Victoria Bitter bottle opener (which played the Victoria Bitter
advertisement every time you opened a bottle – hear the very irritating VB Bottle Opener Soundtrack), and a strap for
his golf bag. “Look I am sure he
wanted to take the hat and balls home but I’m not so sure about that bloody
bottle opener?” queried Tom after Rodney had left.
BIT Presentations A Gala Affair: But
back to the presentations for the BIT, which was a glamorous affair held at
Chez Min’s on the Saturday night. Harry conducted the presentations, which
involved to a whole list of winners including Steve who won the longest
drive; Rodney, Steph, Tim, Tom, Fritz and Emile who all won nearest the
pin; Emile who won the best first time player; Brendan who was runner up in
the BIT; and of course Steph who won the event for 2006 (see photos of the BIT Presentations). Steph’s win was
particularly momentous because he finally displaced Tim, who is current nnomads
Golf Club champion, and who has won the BIT every year since its inception 4
years ago. In fact the presentations started with Tim as last year’s winner
because he missed the presentations last year and was not sent the trophy
during the year (see photos of the Tim
Presentations). “I’ve had a long term relationship with that trophy”
sighed Tim as he realised Steph’s name would now be put on it. “Suffer baby,
suffer” smiled Steph as he gave the trophy a kiss while posing for the
media.
Tom Wins The Raffle:
Actually there was another presentation of note, which took place immediately
after the game. As part of the entry
fee all players were put in a raffle for a $75 voucher. The winner got to spend
up to $75 on anything they wanted in the golf course shop. So who do you think
won it? Tom, who won the same prize six months ago after winning the Monarch
of the Tullum (see photos of Post Game
Drinks & Raffle Winner). So the
very generous Tom proceeded to purchase 36 quality golf balls, among other
things, which he then donated to the club.
These balls were used as prizes during the presentations on Saturday
night. The committee would like to thank Tom for this generosity.
Interstate & New Players Impressed: Bryan C from QLD and
Rodney from NSW were both impressed with the weekend. Both have already asked
to be invited to next year’s event (see email request
from Bryan and great Min story!)
Mark V and Emile were also impressed, each winning some golf balls at
some stage over the weekend and both saying they will be back next year.
“Although Mark V doesn’t know he won two balls for winning at Flinders on
Friday. I haven’t got around to telling
him as yet.” confessed Harry at the end of the weekend. [Mark V Note – When
you read this please contact Harry for your prizes].
Next Year Looking Big And so another
brilliant nnomads Golf Club event was put to bed. The Balnarring Invitational
Tournament 2006 and the Tullum Sands Callaway Cup Classic 2006 has again
exceeded expectations. Already players
are lining up to be invited for next year’s event, which is looking to be a
big. So members put it in your diaries now – The weekend after the AFL grand
final 2007. Be there!
Results: Balnarring
Invitational Tournament 2006
|
BIT - on Handicap |
9 holes |
9 holes |
Total Score |
Handicap |
Net score |
Prizes |
Number of balls won |
|
Steph |
50 |
47 |
97 |
22 |
75 |
1st BIT 2006 and NTP |
9 |
|
Brendan |
44 |
46 |
90 |
14 |
76 |
2nd BIT 2006 |
3 |
|
Jack |
52 |
44 |
96 |
19 |
77 |
|
|
|
Emile |
58 |
60 |
118 |
41 |
77 |
Best 1st timer, Equal NTP |
6 |
|
Tom |
49 |
55 |
104 |
26 |
78 |
NTP |
3 |
|
Rodney |
51 |
48 |
99 |
21 |
78 |
NTP |
3 |
|
Bryan C |
55 |
50 |
105 |
26 |
79 |
|
|
|
Tim B |
63 |
48 |
111 |
30 |
81 |
NTP |
3 |
|
Mark V |
52 |
57 |
109 |
27 |
82 |
|
|
|
Fang |
52 |
53 |
105 |
22 |
83 |
|
|
|
Pete S |
50 |
56 |
106 |
19 |
87 |
|
|
|
Fritz |
58 |
60 |
118 |
28 |
90 |
Equal NTP |
3 |
|
Steve S |
48 |
60 |
108 |
17 |
91 |
Longest drive |
3 |
|
Min |
58 |
64 |
122 |
30 |
92 |
|
|
|
Harry V |
62 |
72 |
134 |
29 |
105 |
|
|
Results: Tullum Sands Callaway
Cup Classic 2006
|
TSCCC - On Callaway Handicap |
9 |
9 |
Total Score |
Handicap |
Net score |
Prizes |
Number of balls won |
|
Brendan |
|
|
90 |
15 |
75 |
1st TSCCC |
6 |
|
Rodney |
|
|
99 |
24 |
75 |
2nd TSCCC |
3 |
|
Tom |
|
|
104 |
28 |
76 |
|
|
|
Jack |
|
|
96 |
19 |
77 |
|
|
|
Emile |
|
|
118 |
41 |
77 |
|
|
|
Bryan C |
|
|
105 |
28 |
77 |
|
|
|
Fang |
|
|
105 |
28 |
77 |
|
|
|
Steve S |
|
|
108 |
31 |
77 |
|
|
|
Min |
|
|
122 |
44 |
78 |
|
|
|
Steph |
|
|
97 |
19 |
78 |
|
|
|
Mark V |
|
|
109 |
30 |
79 |
|
|
|
Fritz |
|
|
118 |
39 |
79 |
|
|
|
Tim B |
|
|
111 |
31 |
80 |
|
|
|
Pete S |
|
|
106 |
26 |
80 |
|
|
|
Harry V |
|
|
134 |
45 |
89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TSCCC Playoff - on Handicap |
9 holes |
9 holes |
Total Score |
Handicap |
Net score |
|
|
|
Brendan |
45 |
40 |
85 |
14 |
71 |
|
|
|
Rodney |
48 |
53 |
101 |
21 |
80 |
|
|
Highlights of Brendan Interview
