‘Separation
of Powers Questioned as
Hanging Judge Becomes Monarch’
10th October 2008: It was one of those truly
beautiful, breathless days as a select group of twelve players prepared to tee off
at Flinders Golf Club to contest the Monarch of the Tullum for 2008. The event
hadn’t been run in 2007 and so there was real excitement in the air.
A Top Field of Competitors: As
would be expected, a large media throng jockeyed for position as the first
group of players pushed their way through the crowd towards the first tee. It
was clearly a high quality field and no one wanted to miss any of the action. “What crowd? I don’t remember any crowd”
questioned 2006 winner Tom after reading the previous paragraph. But his
questions were lost amidst the rumblings of the onlooking gallery. “Are you talking about the gallery in the
club house or what? I don’t remember any gallery either” added Ricko as he
was pushed onto the first tee to join event sponsor Min, winner of last year’s
warm up event Bryan C, and 2006 winner Tom.
Next on the tee in group two were 2007 Club Champion Emile, the
Calloway King Steve, lowest handicapper in the field Brendan and tallest player
in the field Steph. They were followed by group three with The Hanging Judge
Jack, absolutely on time Fritz, ready for a breakthrough Mark V and
recuperating after a breakdown Harry. Those that were there had no other choice
than to conclude it was a top field of competitors (see photos
of the Player Groups).
In Perfect Conditions: Situated atop
the cliff tops overlooking Bass Strait and Westernport Bay, this ACR 68, 5,259
metre course was in perfect condition and when combined with the perfect
weather it presented a golfing experience of the highest quality (see aerial photograph of Flinders Golf Club). “It is a truly inspiring course. I’m amazed
I have never played here before” lied Jack as he walked down ‘The Coffin’
early in the game. “And those beautiful
views. I was continually distracted” claimed Mark V looking for an excuse
after blasting a ball onto the beach on the same hole. And he wasn’t alone as
some players succumbed and others excelled under the pressure of the
competition (see photos On and Off the Course). “Did I succumb or did I excel?” asked
Min later who wasn’t sure where he fitted into the description, but that’s
another story.
Judiciary Questioned Over Split Result: So it was a tired but exhilarated group of competitors who
finally congregated on the balcony of the club house after the game. And the
atmosphere became tense as the beers flowed and the referee calculated the
final positions for 2008. “You could cut
the air with a knife” exaggerated Bryan C trying to create some drama to
surround the occasion. But he didn’t need to exaggerate because the reigning
Monarch Tom (87,22,65) and Hanging Judge Jack (85,20,65) both ended up four
under par on net 65 strokes. In fact they were both a full five strokes in
front the next competitors, a truly sensational performance in anyone’s
language. “I can say it in Yiddish”
offered Club Champion Emile as the committee called for a sudden death
play-off.
Decided by the Full Bench: Well it was
a raucous group of tour members who watched on from the balcony as Jack and Tom
teed off once again down the first. Both got away well making the crowd think
it could be a close match up. And it was close for a shot or two. But there
always had to be a winner and unfortunately for Tom, Jack eventually got the
better of him on the day, not that anyone could see the result clearly from the
balcony. “And it wasn’t just the distance
that made it hard to see” smirked Fritz who was making a bee line for the
bar, again. “Grab one for me too thanks
Fritz” added another ten or so voices as they watched Jack and Tom slowly
walk back down the first (see photos of the 2008
play-off).
Late Night Presentations: It was some hours later after
a brilliant meal at the Tavern in Balnarring and a few appropriate refreshments
that tour players and the media congregated at Toms for the MOTT 2008
presentations. Jack graciously accepted the new perpetual MOTT trophy, a
nnomads Golf Club hat and three balls for his efforts from event sponsor Min.
Tom then accepted his two balls and a nnomads Golf Club cap for second place
along with an additional ball for NTP. Fritz took out the remaining NTP (1 ball)
while Harry took out the longest drive (1 ball) (see photos of the 2008 MOTT presentations). It is fair to say
that Jack was speechless after his win. “I’m
not sure what to say” stammered Jack as the media clambered for a comment
after the presentations (see very short and dark Interview
with the Monarch of the Tulum 2008). “Dark
is right. I couldn’t see the presentations” moaned Steve who was trying to
look interested at the time. “We had to
do the presentations tonight because tomorrow is another day” reinforced
Brendan to Steph who he thought had made the comment. “Someone woke me up for the presentations and I didn’t see anything. I
could have used the sleep in preparation for tomorrow” reflected Ricko at
the time. But Ricko was wrong because history proved that he did get enough
sleep that night, but that’s another story.
The Monarch is Back: And so after
not running in 2007, the Monarch of the Tulum is back on the nnomads Golf Club
annual event list. In fact rumours have it that it is likely to go back to its
old time slot in April or May of each year (but Min would have to confirm
that). In addition, the Friday before the BIT is likely to evolve into a new
nnomads Golf Championship event, giving the club an extra competition event
each year. There is some speculation about what the event should be and what it
should be called. Suggestions include moving the Tulum Sands Callaway Classic
to the Friday instead of combining it with the BIT on the Saturday (a Callaway
event) or creating a new handicap event called ‘The nnomads Cup’ or
creating a new stableford event that is always run at Flinders on the Friday
(yet to be named). So if you have any thoughts on all of this, please don’t
hesitate to keep them to yourself. “The
committee is not really interested and doesn’t have the time or the resources
to analyse a load of member opinions we likely to ignore in any case” a
club spokesperson was quoted saying. “I can’t
remember when the club committee last met. It’s not all that often so you
better tell them that too” added Min after reading the previous paragraph.
The committee did issue a statement congratulating Jack on his fabulous win in
2008, and confirming they would pay Jack’s bill for legal services as soon as
the club can afford it.
But aside from all that, the take home message is that the MOTT
is back. It was a sensational event and one you shouldn’t miss when it comes
around on the calendar in April or May of next year. In addition, members
should put the weekend after the grand final in 2009 (1st weekend
October) in their diaries now, so they can attend a new championship event to
be run on the on the Friday and the BIT and TSCC on the Saturday of that
weekend. See you all at both events!
…….Oh, and that was just the story about the MOTT on the Friday.
Wait to until you hear about the BIT and TSCC on the Saturday……….
Results: The Monarch of the Tulum 2008
|
Event |
Player |
Gross |
HCP |
Net |
Prizes |
|
MOTT |
Jack |
85 |
20 |
65 |
1st (3 balls) |
|
MOTT |
Tom |
87 |
22 |
65 |
2nd (2
balls), NTP (1 ball) |
|
MOTT |
Brendan |
84 |
14 |
70 |
|
|
MOTT |
Harry |
95 |
25 |
70 |
LD (1 ball) |
|
MOTT |
Steve |
93 |
19 |
74 |
|
|
MOTT |
Bryan C |
100 |
25 |
75 |
|
|
MOTT |
Steph |
93 |
18 |
75 |
|
|
MOTT |
Min |
109 |
32 |
77 |
|
|
MOTT |
Emile |
110 |
32 |
78 |
|
|
MOTT |
Mark V |
104 |
26 |
78 |
|
|
MOTT |
Fritz |
109 |
29 |
80 |
NTP (1 ball) |
|
MOTT |
Ricko |
130 |
32 |
98 |
Short Dark Interview with the Monarch 2008
This month’s competition: Name
two mistakes in the short dark interview?