In one of the most tightly fought contests in recent years, Richard "Rocky" Dennis and Mark "Sharky" Shaw claimed victory in the 2004 EPOB Australia Day Golf Classic. Finishing on a one over total of 71, the same score as Gav "Hawkeye" Hawkins and Howard Cropley a countback to the 15 th was required to seperate the two pairs.
Under the existing rules, (designed to eliminate the embarrassment suffered in recent tournaments by The Presidents Cup and the Australian PGA and implemented after the EPOB classic draw in Dunsborough 3 years ago), scores are counted backwards from the 18th to find a winner. Both groups scored pars on the 18th, 17th and 16th. On the Par 4 15th Rocky and Shawry birdied the hole while Gav and Howard Bogied. For those sceptics on the countback rule (i.e. Hawk who has suggested possible legal action)-read the game rules listed previously in 2002 on the website by clicking on the link here http://geocities.datacellar.net/epob_1999/walkwith.html
Finishing close behind was Keith and Blakes at 72, then Wrighty and Crossy, with Delbs and Shane at 73. The dejected pair of Westy and Rosey tailed the field to be crowned NAGAs for the year. Questions are starting to be asked about Roseys ability to play as a back to back NAGA and Butch and Westy were heard to be consoling each other all night with the idea that it wasn't their fault after all.
The Bookies had a win on the day as there was some money out for most pairs and if not for the fact that Shawry talked Spiro out from 6's to 8's then they would have won more. Probably the best win of the day came from the betting syndicate at the races. Using a combination of Westys phone tips, dubious omen bets and dumb luck we were able to keep ourselves in food, beer and spirits for the day. With most individually winning as well. Thanks here must go to Butch and Choice home loans for putting up some considerable sponsorship and helping start the afternoon off on the right note.
Prize winners:
Winners: R. Dennis & M. Shaw
2nd G. Hawkins & H. Cropley
3rd M. Blakely & K. Rodriguez
NAGAs J. Western & G. Rose
Closest to the pin 2nd hole G. Hawkins
Longest Drive 3rd hole P. Wright
Closest 2nd shot 10th hole I. Berry
Closest to the pin 11th hole S. Mallis
Longest Drive 18th hole D. Bain
Sponsorship:
Again sponsorship was of the highest order with a number of blokes and their companies coming to the party. (If I forgot to mention anyone - apologies,tell me and I'll alter it)
Choice Homeloans - Butcha ($)
Unique and Specialty flooring - Westy (2 Nike Golf Bags)
American Express - Besty (Balls, Hats, Towels)
Bunbury Toyota - Blakes (Shirts, Balls)
Grout Expectations - Shawry (Crownies, Fridge magnets)
Kings Park Settlements - Bainy &nbssp; (Stubby Holders)
Special thanks also to Besty for organizing the rolls from The Hyde Park and with Westy the refreshments for the 19th. Also Rocky got us the tickets into the races through Carps.
The After match:
This years after match was probably the best attended of any. With almost all turning up to the races it ended up being an afternoon enjoyed by all. Good to see George turn up and have a beer with the boys as well. Westys phone was ringing hot with tips all day and thanks to a few winners we were all in the money. Twilight Spy and Metal Dump were some of the more notable winners. After the races most headed of to the Queens for more Beer and Bourbon and the last of us pulled stumps at about 10pm. Spiro earned himself a new nickname, with his "Best streetfighter in the world" T shirt and his girlfriend turning up - Habib from "Faat Pizza". No reports of any other activity but Arch and Keith were headed to the Casino to try their luck.
What they said:
Hawk "If I dont win today I'll never win!"
TP. "Butch admitted that I played better than him"
Butch "TP was one of the best partners I've had in recent years"
Arch "Can we make next years game 36 holes" (after going round in 1 under on the back nine)
Keith "Blakes putts like he drives-they go 100ft!"
Westy "I think I need some more "choclate" cake next year. (Hangers had a 68 for 9 holes last week with Butch and Westy was NAGA this year.
Rosey "Thats it!, I'm going to get lessons for next year."
Rocky " Ive got a couple Wrighty. We were teeing off at the 8th when we had to wait for Blakers and Keith to hit off our fairway (it must have been a wild shot by one of them and an absolute s**t shot by the other one to get that far off their own fairway!) when Hawk says '"what are the chances of that - they both hit the ball to the same spot". Admittedly he realised what he said just as he finish the sentance but by then it was too late and already in the memory bank!. On the green at the first. Howard, who is a very good player and can hit the ball very solidly, got he and Hawk on the green in 2 but they both 3 putted when Hawk comes out with "it is a good thing you can drive well Howard cause you putt like s**t!" It was obvious that Howard didnt like this comment as he continued to putt like s**t for the next few holes which ultimately cost them the cup. When Howard was teeing off on the 15th Shawry says "you look like a cucumber Croppers" (due to the green shirt he was wearing) and then Howard promptly duffs it and it just clears the ladies tee. They eventually got a bogie and we birdied and the reast as they say "is history". Rock
I'm still adding stuff on but thought I'd get this to start with and update abit as I go. By the way did anybody notice that in the form guide I picked the first 5 places except I had Hawk/Howard and Rock/Shawry the other way round!
Again the comments and banter was coming thick and fast at the after match, but again I am suffering abit of alcohol induced amnesia, so plenty will go unreported. I did manage to get a couple of things jotted down and if anyone else has any quotes that they can remember email them to me and I will add them on.