epobnews5

OLD ROYAL MAIL
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 FEB 2002

Ian (again) and Butch (finally) victorious!
In what turned out to be a fairly one sided affair, "cheatin Ian" Coleman and Lucio "Butch" Baroni romped home by 5 shots to win the annual EPOB Australia Day Classic for the year 2002.
The pair started the day with a birdie 3 at the first, putting them one stroke under the card and into the lead. A lead which they were never to surrender for the entire match. The one under total good enough to ensure victory by 5 strokes from Rocky and Bainy in a countback over Jake and TP both at 4 over.
Butch who was quite rightly ecstatic after the game, was heard long into the night trying to convince anyone who would listen that he had had some influence on the game. However the sceptics were heard to put it down to Butchs' past whinging about his previous partners and the resultant "fix" of this years draw. Ian on the otherhand, wouldn't be drawn into the controversy and was modest in victory, applauding Butchs' contribution to a team effort. "Cheatin Ian"(in reference to a comment made a few years ago by Gav Howlett "He's too good - thats Cheating") continued to add to his golden day by being about the only one to walk out of the races with money from the bookies in his pocket.
The day produced plenty of good golf and even more hard luck stories. The only complaints coming from the bookmakers who had installed Butch and Ian at 3 to 1 favourites and Rocky and Bainy at 9 to 2 in the second line of betting.
A few of the more memorable moments were: Westy being heard giggling all over the course after his " Chocolate cake fix", Blakes stand alone birdie on the 18th, Franco not turning up to the aftermatch after owing 6 jugs for not getting past the ladies tee -the first groups "cock out" rule for the same infringement, Adrians big drive on the first, Jakes monster on the 3rd, and Ians boomer on the 18th. Andy and JR cracking a stubbie on the first and keeping the pace up the whole round.

The Scorecards.

Prize Winners.

1st: I. Coleman and L. Baroni

3rd Hole Longest Drive: J. Strafhl
6th Hole Closest to Pin: R. Dennis

11th Hole Closest to Pin: A. Dohnt
18th Hole Longest Drive: I. Coleman

10th Hole. Closest 2nd shot A. Delborello
NAGA's G. Hawkins and B. Barwick

Sponsors.
Thanks to: Westy at Unique and Specialty Flooring
                  (Cardinal Colours)
                 Besty at American Express
                 Hawk and Delbs @ Aussie Online.com.au
                 Porky ex-Valvoline
                         Blakes at Bunbury Toyota
                 Crossy at Airfrig
           and anybody else that I've forgotten

The Aftermatch.
After a fairly quick sip at the edge of the 18th while watching all the teams come in, and a brief presentation to the winners, most blokes (with the exception of a few who stayed at the Burswood for a few) headed of to the races. Thanks to Rocky for organizing free entry for us and the rest of Perth it saved us the $7 entry (but cost me $100 to the Bookies).We drank on through the arvo and had plenty of laughs, backed plenty of Nags - none more heavily than TPs in the 8th at Eagle farm- and generally had a pretty good day. A few then kicked on to the Queens, to piss in each others pockets abit more and tell each other how good we were, until we'd had enough and decided to go home.

What They Said. This year because of the numbers I wasn't able to get quotes of the day from all of the players, but here are some of the ones I did hear and was able to remember.

Andy's girlfriend (when picking him up from the races)- "What do you think I am, a fucking Taxi!"

Delbo (at presentations after winning closest 2nd shot - using Andys drive) "What am I going to do with two Hats?"

TP " Jake and I must have been doing it wrong - we were counting all our shots"

Arch " I thought I was the worst player, but I think I drew him!"

Tommy (in reference to his partner from last year) " You've got to hand it to Butch, for a bloke that was a bit of a hack a few years ago his game has come a long way"

Butch "Its as easy as shelling peas"

Westy "Anybody want abit of this Chocolate cake?"

Brendan " Howd I go? - I lost 6 balls!"

Numerous "You've got to handicap Ian out of it next year- give him Franco!"

Tommy(again) " I knew it was going to be a tough day when Delbo-the master of sledging, tried to call a halt to the banter half way down the first - because it was getting out of control"

This page is a work in progress, so if any of you want to add something before its forgotten or too late then get of your arse and email me your story.

Planning for next Year.
To be advised, but any volunteers are welcome

Bck to Old Royal Mail