Brendan Runs AMOK in 2009!

24^th January 2009: There was some debate about what to name the first nnomads Golf Club sanctioned event for 2009. Several names had been mooted including the ADOT (Australia Day Open Tournament), the YOT (Yarrambat Open Tournament) and the LADS Cup (Long Australia Day Cup). “I’m still working on that” claimed Min as he suggested the LADS cup was work in progress. “I’m happy to go with The LADS Cup but where does the ‘S’ come from? I’m confused about the ‘S’” queried Steph who couldn’t come up with a better suggestion at the time. “I like the sound of the YOT. You can fish off a YOT so naturally I’m attracted to it” added Club Champion Captain Ricko by text from his fishing shack at Corny Point.

So at the end of a long and rigorous name selection process no decision was made. None at all. Not a sausage. Nothing. “Well it says something about the organisation doesn’t it? Am I going to come all the way from California to compete in a no-name event? I don’t think so” suggested Shanksy in a message found in a bottle on Balnarring Beach. But Shanksy didn’t understand. There had always been a default name lingering in the background. “I mean what do we do when we get on a golf course? Think about it gentlemen. We run amok don’t we? So it has got to be the ‘Australia Masters Open Kup’” Tom had suggested at some stage. “Are you talking about the ‘Kipling’ derivative of the word or the ‘Malaysian culture bound syndrome’ derivative” questioned Steve after looking up running AMOK in Wikipedia. “Well some of us might be like elephants gone mad while others might be closer to ‘men who have shown no previous sign of anger or any inclination to violence, then acquire a weapon and, in a sudden frenzy, will attempt to kill or seriously injure anyone he encounters’ You know golf club and weapon, get it? So both derivatives of the word might be applicable” suggested Emile showing that he had read Wikipedia as well. Note: For those just wondering, Wikipedia defines running amok as follows:

Running amok, sometimes referred to as simply amok (also spelled amuck or amuk), is derived from the Malay/Indonesian/Filipino word amuk, meaning "mad with rage" (uncontrollable rage).

The word was in use in India during the British Empire, originally to describe an elephant gone mad, separated from its herd, running wild and causing devastation. The word was made popular by the colonial tales of Rudyard Kipling.

Although commonly used in a colloquial and less-violent sense, the phrase is particularly associated with a specific sociopathic culture-bound syndrome in Malaysian culture. In a typical case of running amok, a male who has shown no previous sign of anger or any inclination to violence will acquire a weapon and, in a sudden frenzy, will attempt to kill or seriously injure anyone he encounters. Amok episodes of this kind normally end with the attacker being killed by bystanders, or committing suicide.

Source: Wikipedia

A Select Group Of Players: Hence, a fast decision was made in the car park at Yarrambat on the morning of the event so that competitors clearly knew they were competing for the prestigious and highly sought after ‘Australia Masters Open Kup’ for 2009. “I always knew the event would have an impressive name. I wouldn’t have come otherwise” confirmed Fritz who thought he could relate to the latter rather than former derivative of the word. And he was right because the AMOK 09 was impressive enough to attract a select group of high quality competitors, none of whom were exhibiting any signs of anger or any inclination to violence prior to the game. For example, the first group that stepped up to the tee comprised of ‘The Callaway King’ Steve, the aspiring Callaway King, Brendan” and leader of the club championship at midyear 2008, Min. In addition, the second group just oozed quality exampled by Freddie Five-iron, Fritz, last year’s PIS head Harry, Gallipoli veteran Mark F and Yarra Bend Master, Pete S. All of these competitors were itching to get their hands on the AMOK trophy 2009 (which was ordered on the Monday after the event because no one could make a decision about the name of the event until the morning of the event). “How many events can you get in one sentence?” asked Mark F trying to make sense of the previous line, but his question was drowned out as players moved towards to the tee (see AMOK Player Groups 2009).

A Fierce Competition on a Challenging Course: The AMOK 2009 was run at Yarrambat Park, which is an ACR 73, 6,149 metre, championship length course designed by Tony Cashmore. The greens were fast and in fantastic condition, the fairways good for this time of year, and the rough was like cement and somewhere to avoid. It all combined to present to an extremely challenging course for this élite group of competitors (See Players on Course).

And what of the results you may ask? Well there was some fierce competition early in the round before a few began to falter. Four players then pulled out in front creating a stand out competition for the rest of the round. The gallery was mesmerised as the players came down the 18^th fairway, knowing the competition could be won on the final putt. ”Are you talking about a gallery of roos?” queried Fritz somewhat confused after reading the previous description.

Had to Better The Card: As it was, Nurse Min (107,33,74) was one of the standout four players in the competition. He ended up one stroke over the card (ACR), which was a sensational performance under the conditions. But it wasn’t good enough to get him into the top three. “I really thought I was a chance today but I was tired. There was another nurses party last night and I just had to go” explained Nurse Min as the results became clear.

On the other hand, Pete S (94,21,73) and Harry (97,24,73) ended up square with the card (ACR) with a net 73 strokes each. These were fantastic performances that really entertained the crowd. Alas, they weren’t good enough either, because it only gave them equal second place. “At least we won a couple of balls eh Harry” smiled Pete who was pretty happy with his round. And he was right because Pete also won an NTP on the 8th, giving him another ball, and Harry won the longest drive on the 15^th giving him an additional ball. Min didn’t miss out because he won the NTP on the 16^th giving him a ball.

Brendan Ran AMOK: But it was Brendan that came out on top at the end of the day. He ended up with 84 off the stick, giving him a net 71 after his 13 handicap. This was two strokes under the card, a sensational performance in anyone’s language. “And it wasn’t even a Callaway event” smarted Brendan who has won a number of Callaway events in recent times, but has not won a stroke handicap event for some years. And as you can imagine the presentations in the car park after the event were a salubrious affair. It was a beautiful spot under the trees with the eskies in the middle etc (see AMOK 09 Presentations and an Interview with the AMOK 2009 Champion).

Brendan Leads the 2009 Championship: This all means that the first championship event for 2009 has now been completed and Brendan is in the lead with an average score of 71 strokes. As most members wouldn’t have a clue about, the nnomads Golf Club champion for 2009 will be the player with the lowest average net score at the end of the year across at minimum of three official nnomads Golf Club championship events. It is calculated as follows:

The gross scores of each player's best three net scores from all Official nnomads championship events entered, are added together, resulting in the total gross score. The handicaps used to get these best three net scores are also added together, resulting in the total handicap. This is then subtracted from the total gross score, to give the players total net score. The total net score is then averaged over the three games, giving the players average net score. The Player with the lowest average net score at the end of the year will be the club champion. Entrants must compete in a minimum of three Official nnomads Golf Club championship events in the relevant calendar year.

The Challenge is Out: The nnomads Golf Club Committee would like to congratulate Brendan on his fabulous win in the Australia Masters Open Kup in 2009. The Committee also calls on all members and associates of the nnomads Golf Club to rise to the challenge and give Brendan some stiff competition by contesting as many club championship competitions as possible in 2009. Sanctioned club championship events on the calendar so far include The Anzac Day Medal (Anzac Day, 25^th April at the Growling Frog), the MOTT (mid to late May at yet to announced venue), the PIS (early July in SA at Waikerie), a new event to replace the MOTT (2^nd October at Flinders), the BIT (3^rd October at the Dunes), and the Melbourne Cup Cup (3^rd November at Yarra Bend). At least a couple of other events will be announced during the year. So don’t forget. These are must attend events for golf lovers. Put them in your dairy and see you there.

Results: The Australia Masters Open Kup 2009

Course	Player	Gross	HCP	Net	Prizes
Yarrambat	Brendan	84	13	71	1^st Prize (3 balls)
Yarrambat	Pete S	94	21	73	Equal 2^nd (1 ball) NTP (1 ball)
Yarrambat	Harry	97	24	73	Equal 2^nd (1 ball) LD (1 ball)
Yarrambat	Min	107	33	74	NTP (1 ball)
Yarrambat	Steve	101	19	82
Yarrambat	Fritz	114	29	85
Yarrambat	Mark F	116	30	86

Player Groups

On Course AMOK 09

AMOK 2009 Presentations

The Non Interview with Brendan

The Real Interview with Brendan

www.nnomadsgolfclub.com