‘The Captain Takes it by The BIT
While Brendoon Sneaks in Another One’
11th October 2008: So there were a few sore heads
that Saturday morning after a sensational previous day and / or night depending
on your point of view (see article about the MOTT 2008). But it didn’t take
long before attention turned to the business of the day. After all, players had
come from far and wide to contest the Balnarring
Invitational Tournament (handicap event) and the Tulum Sands Callaway Classic (Callaway handicap) for 2008.
Back to Where it all Started: This year the competitions
were once again held at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort, one of the nnomads Golf
Club’s favourite venues. Designed
by internationally renowned golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones Jnr, this
ACR 70, 5,298 metre course is situated
on centuries-old sand dunes overlooking Bass Straight providing spectacular
views across wide fairways bound by coastal scrub leading to large,
well-manicured, undulating greens (or at least that’s what the web site says).
And as many will remember (or may not depending on your state at the time) Cape Schanck is where the original Boomshanka was first
run back in the year 2000 (the oldest entry on the TSCC cup). “It’s back to
the old values Tony. You know what I am saying” reminisced Tom who thought
he could remember some of it. “All I can remember is the guy in the pro shop
moaning about the six hours it took 
us to play in 2006” recalled Harry
who took the brunt of the abuse at the time but that’s another story. Note:
After the 2006 event, the committee decided it was best to play at Eagle Ridge
in 2007. “This year we were hoping they didn’t remember us so the event
could return to its origin in 2008. We booked under another name so that
helped” explained Min at the time (see BIT and TSCC article 2006).
An Elite Group Of Players: As
readers would appreciate these are invitation only events. Hence, it was a
select group of sixteen handpicked players who congregated on the first tee in
the beautiful sunshine and perfect conditions. The first group to step up
included Club Champion and last year’s winner of the BIT Emile, last year’s
winner of the TSCC Steve, year to date championship leader Min and lowest
handicapper in the field Brendan. They were followed by second in the MOT 08
Tom, winner of the ADM 08 Mark F, on time two days in a row Fritz and on the
edge of a win ‘bridesmaid’ Mark V. Close behind in the third group was generous
provider of tees and previous club champion Fang, winner of the MOTT 08 Jack,
winner of the PIS 08 Ricko, and winner of the 2007 warm up event Bryan C.
Bringing up the rear in the final group were winner of the PIS 07 Harry, new to
the event Pete W, winner of the BIT 2007 Steph and multiple MCC winner Pete S.
Clearly, this was an elite group of players ready for a tough competition on
the day (see photos of the 2008 player groups).
The Course Took Its Toll: And that’s what it proved to be - a tough competition. This was
despite most players having a warm up hit on the driving range and a solid putt
on the practice green before teeing off, after which you would expect
competitors to be itching to go. Alas, the day was typified by extremes, the
extremely good and the extremely not so good. ‘Look it is ok to use the word ‘bad’. I was extremely bad today”
claimed Pete S who was then mobbed by a number of likeminded people including
Harry, Pete W, Fritz and Emile. But then the tension eased dramatically as
appropriate refreshments were served after the game and the players reflected
on what might have been (see photos on and off the
course at the BIT 2008).
The Captain Takes it by the BIT: And at the end of the day there were only three players with
gross scores under 100 strokes, Brendan (92,14,78), Jack (95,18,77) and Tom
(99,21,78). But of course the Balnarring
Invitational Tournament is a handicap event and those scores were not good
enough to beat ‘The Captain’ Ricko who with 105 off the stick and his recently
slashed handicap of 32 ended up on a net 73 strokes, a full two strokes in
front of ‘bridesmaid’ Mark V (101, 26, 75). “I always aspired to winning the PIS and the BIT in the same year”
lied Ricko as the results became clear. “They
should give something for best off the stick” suggested Brendan as he
watched an elated Ricko anticipating a trophy. And for the record, the Captain
also took out the longest drive while Mark V, Steve and Jack each took out one
NTP, Tom took out two NTPs and Pete W took out the Bradman award. “It might be like a reverse off the stick but
at least I got a prize” grinned a delighted Pete W later that night.
Five Way Tie in Callaway Classic: So that left the Tulum
Sands Callaway Classic, the other event played that afternoon. Note: For
those not familiar with the format, a handicap event (The BIT) and Callaway
event (TSCC) is run at the same time using the same card. And in the Callaway
Classic for 2008 Bryan C (108,33,75), Steve (105,30,75), Tom (99,24,75), Mark V
(101,26,75) and Brendan (92,17,65) all ended up on a net 75 strokes, a
sensational outcome. A five man play off was considered but was rejected
because the Callaway rules state that the lowest handicap wins in the event of
a tie. This made Brendan the Tulum Sands Callaway
Classic champion for 2008. “Now I
don’t feel so bad about not getting anything for best off the stick” smiled
Brendan as he realised he had won ‘the mug’ for the third time. Mark V was
again runner up giving him the ‘bridesmaid’ position in both events. “But what about the controversy? There is
always some controversy with the scores?” asked Bryan C trying to drum up
some excitement. But the crowed was more interested in having appropriate
refreshments which they did in large numbers for quite some hours.
Action Packed Night of Presentations: Actually, all that stuff about the winner reactions in the
previous paragraphs was a load of codswallop because no one actually knew who
won until the tour had returned to Chez Toms later that the afternoon. It was
back at Toms that the final scores were carefully calculated and the results
were kept under wraps until the presentations. “Look I wasn’t that careful” claimed Pete S who calculated Callaway
scores. “I trust you” claimed Tom
trying to deflect any criticism. Finally, the presentations began and the
winners were announced and trophies presented. “Bloody beautiful. A tough competition in trying conditions and all I
can say is gungagalunga” cried Captain Ricko as the media pressed for a
comment (see short dark Ricko Interview.wmv
- 4.7mb). “Well on days like today thank
god for Callaway eh” added Brendan as camera flashes burst through the
night (see even shorter dark Brendan
Interview.wmv - 1.7mb). And of course the presentations went on for some
time as all prize winners had their achievements acknowledged (see the 2008 Presentations).
Food, Wine and Conversation: And on
into the night went the celebrations including sensational food, wine, and
conversation. There was a real sense of comradeship around the group as the
brilliant venue came into its own. “I’ve
been very impressed with the accommodation and food” stated Bryan C at an
appropriate pause in the conversation. “The
view, the facilities, the hospitality. Just sensational” agreed Pete W who
was wondering why he hadn’t been previously. And they were right because Chez
Toms proved to be just brilliant as a venue (see photos of Accommodation and Meals including
the views). And to top it all off Harry did his ‘Eggs Benedict’ for anyone who
was still standing on the Sunday morning, followed by bocce on the beach and a
lot of recuperating.
And that was it really. The BIT and TSCC were over for another
year and the tour players were satisfied for a few more days.
Weekend Memories: “Hold on. You can’t end the article there.
There are too many untold stories” complained Bryan C after reading the
previous paragraph. “Yeah. Like the one
about Min arriving with 30 seconds to go for Sunday breakfast after having a
surf. We were all yelling ‘come-on Min’ as he was gazing out to sea oblivious
to what his stomach was about to miss out on” recalled Mark F with a wry
smile on his face. “My favourite was
Fritz’s six foot tower of timber in the fire pit. I thought the wood would last
for week but it was gone in a few hours” lamented Tom. “Yeah he had the ‘Twin Towers’ going there
for a while. It was a great spectacle” agreed Pete S who had enjoyed
sitting by the fire pit late into the night. “My vote is for the oysters on Friday night at the tavern. At $36 per
dozen I’m amazed anyone had any” suggested Steph who later confessed to
enjoying at least half a dozen. “I just
couldn’t come at that. Oysters are best skewered on a long shafted 0.4 hook and
dropped over the side on the end of a line” added Mark V who associates
shellfish with fishing rather than eating, even at market prices. “What about the Scarlet Pimpernel - Pete
W. He was there on Saturday night but was gone in a flash in the morning”
recalled Harry who was quietly pleased there was one less to cook for. “Well it was a pretty camped up affair if
you ask me. I’ve never seen so many tents at the BIT” observed Ricko who
again ended up in a double bed and a complete room inside to himself. “Well the highlight for me was meeting
Ricko. I’ve never met him before. He’s that person everyone talks about but he
is bigger in real life than his image” stated a clearly impressed Emile. “He came, he won, he went” added Bryan C
who had also been impressed with the form of the only other interstate
competitor. “Scarlet alias Pete W thanks
us for the enjoyable day and the fabulous company” squinted Fang reading
from a scrunched up note found where Pete W’s car was parked on the Sunday
morning. “I just say thank god for those
binoculars. All that talent and I didn’t have to move out of my seat”
smarted Steve who had been very impressed with the mobile scenery on Balnarring
beach. “Well it was all about the golf”
mussed Brendan still smarting about his win. “I tried not to let the golf get in the way” explained Min who was
still impressed with the theme for the PIS earlier in the year. “Well the Paul Kelly tee shirt, the boxer
shorts and hand towel are now polishing cloths for Ezra” stated a resigned
Tom after no one would claim ownership of the items left after the weekend. “Was that Ricko’s hand towel from his
private suite” queried a disgusted Jack via his 3G mobile video link as he
addressed the next nnomads Golf Club committee meeting.
Almost the Best Ever: And it was at
that meeting that the committee congratulated Ricko and Brendan on their fine
performances in 2008. The committee also thanked Tom for providing his
sensational venue, Fang for his extreme generosity with the tees, Harry for his
background organisation and Pete S for his video footage. “The merchandising packages were almost the best we have ever had”
suggested Emile during the meeting. “But
we still need a nnomads Golf Club tee shirt don’t we” added Steph who
wondered what he was going to do with yet another nnomads Golf Club hat. “Maybe next year?” queried Fritz as they
closed the meeting and headed for the bar.
And there you have it for 2008. This is an event you don’t want
to miss. So put it in your diaries for next year - The first weekend after the
grand final in 2009! See you there (if you are invited).
Results: Balnarring Invitational Tournament 2008
Cape Schanck
|
Player |
Gross
Score |
nnomads
Handicap |
Bit
Net |
Prizes |
|
|
105 |
32 |
73 |
Winner
and Longest Drive |
|
Mark V |
101 |
26 |
75 |
Runner
Up and NTP |
|
Jack |
95 |
18 |
77 |
NTP |
|
Tom |
99 |
21 |
78 |
NTP x
2 |
|
Brendan |
92 |
14 |
78 |
|
|
Bryan C |
108 |
25 |
83 |
|
|
Steph |
103 |
19 |
84 |
|
|
Min |
117 |
32 |
85 |
|
|
Steve |
105 |
19 |
86 |
NTP |
|
Fang |
108 |
22 |
86 |
|
|
Mark F |
126 |
34 |
92 |
|
|
Harry |
121 |
25 |
96 |
|
|
Emile |
129 |
32 |
97 |
|
|
Fritz |
126 |
29 |
97 |
|
|
Pete S |
126 |
20 |
106 |
|
|
Pete W |
151 |
34 |
117 |
Results: Tullum Sands Callaway Classic 2008
Cape Schanck
|
Player |
Gross
Score |
Callaway
Handicap |
Bit
Net |
Prizes |
|
Brendan |
92 |
17 |
75 |
Winner |
|
Mark V |
101 |
26 |
75 |
Runner
up |
|
Tom |
99 |
24 |
75 |
|
|
Steve |
105 |
30 |
75 |
|
|
Bryan C |
108 |
33 |
75 |
|
|
Jack |
95 |
19 |
76 |
|
|
Fang |
108 |
32 |
76 |
|
|
Ricko |
105 |
28 |
77 |
|
|
Steph |
103 |
24 |
79 |
|
|
Min |
117 |
37 |
80 |
|
|
Fritz |
126 |
46 |
80 |
|
|
Mark F |
126 |
45 |
81 |
|
|
Emile |
129 |
48 |
81 |
|
|
Pete S |
126 |
44 |
82 |
|
|
Harry |
121 |
38 |
83 |
|
|
Pete W |
151 |
58 |
93 |
This month’s competition: Name
the recognised Callaway King and the person vying for the title?