2009 William Buckley Classic Program

The Golf

The Format:  Teams playing 36 holes of 2-ball ambrose for stableford points.

The Rules: Since slow play is a potential problem for us, the rules are designed to encourage play in the right spirit and at the right pace. Teams play their chosen best ball on each shot and may place their ball half a club length (about 50cm) from where the chosen ball lies, no nearer the hole. Balls must be placed in the same cut as the chosen ball. In the interests of fast play from tee to green, teams are NOT required to mark with a tee and precisely measure from the chosen ball as they play each shot. Team members can play in any order on a shot. Please have fun, move quickly between shots and keep up with the group in front.

Putting: Once on the green, Bushrangers should mark near the chosen best ball so all team members play from near enough to the exact same position.

Handicapping: Each team will be assigned a handicap based on official Australian handicaps and information supplied by the Bushrangers. The handicapper will be governed by a commitment to rewarding good play according to a player’s ability.

Playoffs: In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will be held. Teams play together as a twosome (taking alternate strokes playing one ball). Teams can determine the order as each member takes their first shot. This order is then continuous and carries over from one hole to the next until the playoff is decided.

The Rodeo Rule: This is minimum drives for each team member and will be enforced. Each team’s rodeo requirements will appear on their scorecard.

Who was William Buckley?

Born in Cheshire, England in 1780, William Buckley fought as one of the King's Own Regiment against Napoleon's forces in the Netherlands. He was convicted of receiving stolen cloth in 1802 and was sentenced to transportation to Australia for 14 years. He was among 300 prisoners sent out in 1803 to establish the first settlement on Victoria's Port Phillip near what is now Sorrento.

Buckley and two others escaped in December 1803 with the aim of getting to Sydney. Alas, they went the wrong way and circled Port Phillip Bay. Due to the harsh terrain and lack of food, Buckley's companions decided to return to the settlement and give themselves up. But not the determined Buckley. It was the last time any white man would see of him for 32 years.

A powerful man standing over 6'6", Buckley pressed on along the coast to Breamlea, Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and beyond. His first permanent resting place was near Mount Defiance where he found an abundance of shellfish, edible vegetation and natural cover. In the winter, Buckley was close to death but was rescued by an Aboriginal tribe.

Fortunately for Buckley, the locals believed that white people were Aborigines who had come back from the dead. They named him Murrangurk and took him in as one of their own. For the next three decades, Buckley travelled extensively throughout the region, mostly around Geelong, Barwon Heads, and the Otway Ranges. On July 7 1835, Buckley wandered into a camp of John Batman’s party and reacquainted himself with European society.

He was the first European to walk the bush on both sides of Port Phillip Bay, living off the land and on the run from the law. Given that our determined Bushrangers regularly ingratiate themselves with the locals on our trips and that this tournament is played on courses on both sides of the bay, we think it is fitting that this event is known as The William Buckley Classic.

 
The Form Guide

The Murrangurk Masters – Early in his travels, William Buckley found a spear by a grave near Torquay. It belonged to the respected warrior Murrangurk. The locals believed Buckley to be Murrangurk returned from the dead as a giant white man. The two-player team format and the name of WBC perpetual trophy reflect the lives of these two men combining under one name and each year the reigning champions will play as The Murrangurk Masters.

Roger Brown (Arbeige) & Michael David (Mikey Dee) – What a package, what a set-up, what a combination. This outrageous duo has dominated this event for the last two years by cramming as much golf, fun and ridiculosity into a weekend as is humanly possible. The fun starts every year at 5am Friday and involves 72 holes of golf, nearly as many bourbons and a lot of laughs. They come determined to have a good time for a long time and have also happened to win the last two years - by a single shot both times! They are determined to hang on to their title by going back-to-back-to-back and will certainly figure in the finish but can reasonably expect a rather lukewarm reception at the presentation ceremony if they achieve their devious ambition.

 
The Sullivan Bay Ginger Bread Men – Buckley and two other convicts escaped from the camp at Sullivan Bay near Sorrento on December 27, 1803. The others turned back after a few days, but Buckley pressed ahead and stayed on the run for the next 32 years.

Michael Mileo (Seve) & Mick Van Raay (Da King) – This combo are right in their element at this event. Not only are they both reminiscent of Buckley himself being massive units with a dignified and honourable disposition, but they also stomped their way into the history books by winning the inaugural Classic in 2006. Put up a superb defence in 2007 to come within a shot of going back-to-back. They also bring a special flair and style to the tournament with their choices of garments for the weekend. No doubt, they are seeking to compensate for Buckley’s years spent in humble possum skins by embracing the opportunities for outstanding golf couture and really making a spectacle of themselves both on and off the course. Expect big things from these big men.

The Corio Bay Fugitives – Buckley and his two fellow escapees reached the waterfront on Corio Bay at what is now Geelong a few days after escaping. He came to know this area very well over the next 32 years.

Ian Crotty (Crocko) & Scott Wilson (Willo) – These two wily old stagers have been battling away for years on the BRG Tour but have only one Major Championship between them when Crocko carried his team to victory in the 2005 Bushranger Cup. Former teammates, they have been seeing other people, but have decided to put their open relationship on hold this year and rejoin forces to impose themselves on the field here. Both have made the podium at this event in the past so have some form to recommend their chances and given the absence of a poker tournament this year, rumours are festering that Willo my be more focused on his golf than in previous campaigns. Will definitely be in contention and can salute if they are able to hold the bandwagon together all the way to the post.
 

 The Swan Island Hackers – Buckley and his two fellow escapees reached Swan Island at Queenscliff on New Year’s Day 1804. It was here that the other two chose to return to Sorrento but Buckley refused to give up and made the momentous decision to press on alone.

John Lazzara (Funky J) & Andy MacFeate (Macca) – A pairing of sartorial splendour and metrosexual sensibilities that raises the tone of the entire event and gives the field here the finishing polish it so richly deserves. Once thought to be at this event just for the fun between rounds and only making up the numbers on the golf course, they turned that thinking on its head with a massive performance at the 2007 WBC at this venue. Trailing the leaders by five shots after the first day, they turned on the after-burners at the business end of the event by shredding the back nine to pieces to come screaming into contention with the best round on the final day. They came up a single stroke short of forcing a playoff and will certainly be scheming to go one better this year and take the title.

The Point Lonsdale Cavemen – After parting ways with his companions, Buckley moved on to Pt. Lonsdale where he is thought to have sheltered in a cave for a short time. Buckley’s Cave is still a popular destination for local history buffs and Bushrangers on the lamb.

Shane Morris (The Fridge) & Geoff Cutting (The Muppet) – This rampaging combination are making their first start at this event but have plenty of form to recommend their chances. Having acquired a taste for golf, gambling and good times, their abilities to maintain a high-rating at the between round festivities will hold them in good stead. With starts at both the Kelly Gang Shootout and the Bushranger Cup, they won’t have any trouble handling the step up in class here and the barnstorming effort from The Fridge to take out the 2008 Kelly Gang Shootout means they certainly know the way to the finishing post. They are both known to enjoy the challenges of a wet track and will be certain to be carrying sufficient medicine in their golf cart to see out the journey.

The Barwon Heads Sir Robins – On his first day marching alone, Buckley happened upon a group of Wathaurong people camped peacefully by the Barwon river. Fearing for his life, he silently crossed the river at the heads and bravely ran away.

Matthew Pitt (Pw Jones) & Nick Honey (The Hominator) – With two Bushranger Cup titles each and a swag of titles from around the world, on paper this combination represents a fearsome proposition. As one is the handicapper and the other the mighty Hominator, legendary man of the people, they are capable of producing something special when it matters most. The only problem appears to be they are both coming off massive spells and have not shown any recent form whatsoever to suggest the can spring a surprise here this week. Will need to jump from the barriers and clear out to a massive early lead if they are to have any chance. Look for a stronger showing at the after-golf activities than anything they can conjure on the course. A long shot really just making up the numbers here.

The Bream Creek Freaks – Buckley cruised past 13th Beach and crossed Bream Creek the next day. Later he returned and it was here he built a substantial hut and lived for many years on the abundant supplies of food, including the fish he trapped in the creek.

Steve Foxwell (Foxy) & Grant Jones (Jonesy) – This dapper combo is one of the dark horses in the field here this week. It is the first start for Jonesy in a field of this quality but he comes in here with a reputation as a big-game player with a thirst for the spotlight. Certainly knows how to choose a strong partner as his mate Foxy claimed his first BRG Major Championship with a thrilling one-shot win earlier this year at the mighty Bushranger Cup. A very easy-going combination, they certainly know how to handle themselves at the between-round festivities and will definitely make a big impression around the campfire. If they can keep themselves in check between rounds, they will be a good chance to see out the distance and could be right in it at the finish to spring a surprise on some of the more fancied chances.

The Torquay Hookers – Buckley camped on the banks of Spring Creek at Torquay during his solitary march through the district in 1804. It was here he picked up the spear from the grave of Murrangurk that later would be his saviour.

Gav Doran (The Rose) & Neil Hocking (Plonk) – This worldly and erudite combination are coming off a win at their last start and will be brimming with confidence here this week. They stormed through the field on the Sunday at the Kelly Gang Shootout this year for their maiden BRG Major Championship victory and will be looking to parlay that effort into a string of big wins. Plonk immediately launched himself onto the world tour and has been wowing fans all over the globe for the last few months. The Rose has been rather more discrete, contenting himself with polishing up his free-form-jazz-poetry skills. If you see the wondrous Rose of Doran appear at night, you will know he is in fine form, but if find him launching into some sort of late night iambic-pentameter rent poetic odyssey, he probably won’t end up bothering the WBC engraver on Sunday afternoon. 


The Aireys Inlet Slicers – As his situation became more wretched as he trekked alone, Buckley found clear water at Aireys Inlet and much needed food. He built his first dwelling near here, a primitive hut of which Maslow would have been proud.

Paul Lambe (Lambo) & Andrew Smith (The Maffra Man) – You’ve heard of Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Spiderman and The Marlborough Man - all formidable opponents. However, the cast of super villains vying for the 2009 WBC have a big task in front of them this week, because to win the title they will have to get past the Lambo-Man and the Maffra Man! This dynamic duo leave all other super-hero combinations in their wake. With Maffra Man making a splash at his BRG debut in the 2009 Bushranger Cup and the Lambo-Man winning at his last start at the 2009 Kelly Gang Shootout, these guys look primed to take all before them and obliterate the field here. Have been overlooked in the betting ring and are grossly over the odds so call your bookie immediately and back them to the hilt.

The Mount Defiance Alliance – At Mount Defiance just past Lorne, Buckley found a cave with fresh water and food nearby and made it his first permanent home, living there for several months through the autumn of 1804. As winter set in, he began to struggle and decided to make the long trek back to Sorrento.

David Regenspurger (The Hamburglar) & Matthew Thomas (Thommo) – This combo are perennial contenders in the BRG Championships and have proven themselves as big game performers. Won the VSGCC in fine style last year and also saluted at the Kelly Gang Shootout. Were runners-up at this event last year by a single stroke so must be taken very seriously. The only problem might be some wobbly recent form with the Hamburglar running into problems on the driving range while remodelling his swing and Thommo may have lost the plot with his putting stroke. A couple of whopping four putts at a recent Handicap Day have seen him change putters – never a good sign on the eve of a major championship. If the putts do start falling, they could be adding to their already juicy resumes.

 
 The Coonewarre Revivors – It was near the banks of Lake Coonewarre, a short walk north of the 13th Beach Golf Links, that two local women found the weak and starving Buckley. They thought he was the ‘white ghost’ of Murrangurk and nursed him back to health.

David Anderson (The Duck)  & Liam Anderson (The Machine) – May well bring new meaning to the term well-oiled machine. One is certainly a golfing machine and both present a very strong case for being well-oiled. Are more than likely to combine their engineering talents here this weekend into some sort of outrageous exhibition of world-class machine-oiling with a little bit of golf served on the side. Both are rumoured to be thoroughly under-golfed and over-oiled of late although The Duck is believed to be the proud owner of some new bats, which may compensate for the fact that this is his first tournament for many years. The Machine has a little bit more recent form with a 2nd here last year and is the low marker in the field this week so this pairing could well bob up at the finish. 
 

The Point Addis Bashers – During his life among the Wathaurong tribes, Buckley travelled and lived along much of the Surf Coast. They moved with the seasons for meetings and ceremonies with other tribes and Point Addis was a regular haunt for some ripping corroborees.

Steve Dorning (Glory) & Rob Lugton (Luggo) – One of the most enigmatic combinations appearing this week, this Jekyll and Hyde combo are a completely unknown quantity, even to themselves. Having both had playing partners who couldn’t make the event, they are the odd-couple team thrown together by fate. Whether they end up combining like nitro and glycerine or yin and yang remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: if Luggo’s long game is on song and Glory can get the pill in the hole, they are capable of posting a low score that might shake up this field. Will certainly start as long shots but their odds may be reeled in on Saturday night if they are able to get going early post a solid opening round score.

The Indented Heads – It was at Indented Head in 1835 that Buckley, after 32 years in the wilderness, decided to return to European society when he walked into the camp of John Batman’s exploration party. Standing 6’ 6”, dressed in possum skins and carrying a spear, a driver, 5-iron, wedge and putter, he made quite a first impression.  

Adam Rudd (The Ruddinator) & Paul Heron (The Level) – First start for this combination in a field of this quality and there are huge question marks over whether they will handle the step up in class. Have been plying their trade in a workmanlike fashion in Bushranger events throughout the year, but fronting for the WBC is an entirely different proposition. The long days toiling on the golf course and the even longer nights around the campfire singing songs, spinning yarns, making merry, telling gags, goofing off and getting involved in general, common or garden-style Bushranger shenanigans can take their toll on even the most battle-weary competitor. Expect to find this pair gasping for air by Sunday afternoon and requiring some medical attention (perhaps oxygen, or some 80-proof intravenous medicines to calm their nerves or even an iron lung) having been completely overwhelmed by the whole caper that is the mighty WBC!