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November 21, 2024
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bwired News archive
Book discount golf in Asia with SGA's online Asian Tee Times system
Feb 16, 2016

Social Golf Australia now offers Australian golfers a fast, efficient and cost-effective way to book and pay for rounds of golf in Asia at discount prices with SGA's new Asia Tee Time Bookings system. If you are planning a holiday in Asia and want to play some golf, you can pre-book your rounds at a broad range of golf courses accross Asia and access pre-booking discount prices that are not available in person at the golf courses.

Whether it is a family holiday and you want to squeeze in a game at a great golf course or you and your golfing pals are planning an Asian golfing holiday with a number of games for a group of golfers, you can plan and book all your golf for your trip with SGA’s Asian Tee Times Booking system.

The golfing options in Asia are as diverse as the many different cultures and most of the leading golf course designers have left their mark on the region making Asian golf the growth golf destination in the world. Add to this the great weather, the caddies, the wonderful food, exciting nightlife and incredible service and there is no better place for your next golf holiday.

Through SGA’s partnership with Golfsavers based in Singapore, we can offer the benefits of four decades of experience from a golf tourism company founded in the west that specialises in golf in the east. With booking agreements with courses in Thailand (Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Bangkok), Vietnam, Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mission Hills, Guangdong, Siem Reap Cambodia, Dubai, UAE or Laos, you can play golf at discount golf across Asia. To book your next game in Asia go to:

https://www.socialgolfaustralia-asiateetimes.com/

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New Online Entry Form for Australian Social Golf Club Championships
Jan 28, 2016

Social Golf Australia (SGA) is delighted to announce that, with the support of our online partner bwired, we have built a new option for submitting your entry for the Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) this year. Rather than, printing, faxing, emailing and/or photocopying your entry form, you can now simply complete all the details for your ASGCC entry via our website with the new ASGCC Online Entry Form.

The form takes just a few minutes to complete and submit and all the info goes directly to Sally Pitt to enter in the booking sheet for the event. We will still print and send out hard copies of the entry form with event information and glossy pics and info, but you can now also simply complete your entry for the event online on our website .

We have finalised details with the superb Mantra Legends Hotel and returning to one of our most popular golf courses, Robina Woods (aka Palmer Gold Coast) and we have posted package information on the ASGCC website. We will email our national database about this soon, but you are getting the inside running on the new online entry process. FYI, the important webpage links are:
The 2016 event is shaping up as another epic tournament. We have already had a lot of interest from past and new players and heaps of 2015 players have indicated they will be returning. There is updated event information on the ASGCC website and we are confident that the move to Deluxe Studio Rooms at The Mantra Legends in Surfers Paradise will make the event better value and even more fun. Some of the features of the 2016 event are:
 
  • We have included Palmer Gold Coast (formerly Robina Woods) in the event.
  • We are moving to The Mantra Legends in Surfers Paradise (Deluxe Studio Rooms)
  • We have retained Palm Meadows, Lakelands GC and The Glades golf courses.
  • We have two arvo starts (R 1 & 2), a rest day and then two morning starts (R 3 & 4).
  • We have an optional fun 4-Ball Ambrose on Sunday August 14 at Palm Meadows.
  • The Welcome Party is again at Palm Meadows on Sunday August 14 at 5:30pm.
The 2016 ASGCC event itinerary is:
Day
Date
Tee Time
Event
Venue
Sunday
August 14
12:30pm
Optional 4-Ball Ambrose
Palm Meadows
Monday
August 15
12:00pm
ASGCC Round One
Lakelands GC
Tuesday
August 16
12:00pm
ASGCC Round Two
The Glades
Wednesday
August 17
n/a
Rest Day
n/a
Thursday
August 18
8:00am
ASGCC Round Three
Palmer Gold Coast
(Robina Woods)
Friday
August 19
8:00am
ASGCC Round Four
Palm Meadows
 
Once again, one lucky golfer will win FREE entry (including airfares) to the 2017 SGA International. The 2016 ASGCC already promises to be another very enjoyable and memorable week of fun and we hope to see you and your pals back with us again this year and keep an eye on the ASGCC Facebook page for regular updates and info about the event.

Best regards and good golfing,
 
Matthew and Sally Pitt
 
Social Golf Australia
p. 03 5433 3213
m. 0425 742 501 (Matt)
m. 0425 779 322 (Sally)
m. 0439 144 256 (Robbie)

2016 ASGCC Online Entry Form
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Golf Clearance Outlet, Srixon & Good Food Gift Cards sponsor SGA
Jan 11, 2016

Bushranger Golf and Social Golf Australia (SGA) are delighted to announce that SGA has renewed partnerships for 2016 with The Golf Clearance Outlet, Good Food Gift Cards, Srixon & Heathcote Winery as valued and loyal sponsors and supporters of SGA’s premier golf events, The SGA Tour and the Australian Social Golf Club Championships.

This year every SGA Tour event around Australia will feature $50 of Golf Clearance Outlet vouchers and a $50 Good Food Gift Card as part of the prize pool as well SGA Shiraz from Heathcote Winery and golf balls from Srixon, our exclusive ball supplier.

The Good Food Gift Cards were some of the most popular prizes at our events in 2015 as it can be enjoyed at 100s of restaurants around Australia. Golf Clearance Outlet is Australia’s premier golf discount retailer that also features an online store with great prices on a huge range of quality golf equipmrnt from all the leading brands.

In 2016, Social Golf Australia (SGA) will feature over $75,000 of prizes of prizes at over 100 golf events around Australia thanks to the generous and loyal support of our event partners and sponsors.

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Golf mag: Social Golf Australia (SGA) is # 1 Social Golf Network
Dec 07, 2015

In December 2015, Inside Golf Magazine ran a feature on
Social Golf in Australia. Below are some excerpts from the feature.

The Socia Network – December 2015, Inside Golf Magazine

Social Golf in Australia is, in a word, booming. What was once a small (and often disdained) segment of the golf arena has now become the majority player in a flourishing industry, with the words “Social Golf” becoming the hot buzzword at many clubs.

Social Golf numbers have outpaced the private clubs in terms of growth over the years, as time-poor families and individuals have changed their habits when it comes to playing this great game of ours. This has led to the establishment of many highly respected Social Golf Networks and clubs. Social Golf Australia led the way in this regard back in 2006, and they have now been joined by other professionally-run organisations/groups throughout the country*, with many offering official Golf Australia handicaps, professionally-run events, golf tours and more.

* New businesses such as The Social Golf Club and GenY Golf are examples of recent attempts by competitors of SGA to imitate the model that has been developed by SGA over the last decade.
 

Social Golf Australia

Social Golf Australia (SGA) is Australia’s largest and longest-running Social Golf network and has long been considered to be innovators in the Australian social golf market.

SGA founder Matthew Pitt says the idea for SGA formed in 2006 when he learned there were 700,000 social golfers in Australia. He and his pals were in that group but there were few options for social golfers to get a handicap and play competitions.

After meeting with Golf Australia, it was clear to Pitt that there was an opportunity to offer handicaps and events for social golfers. Pitt qualified as an official handicapper, became a national handicap provider and started organising events for golfers around Australia.

“We decided to go with the name Social Golf Australia at a time when the words ‘Social Golf’ weren’t popular. In some circles there was an unfair stigma attached to being a social golfer. My wife Sally and I have always been social golfers and we decided to go with the name SGA even though many advised us against it,” says Pitt.

A family business which started from a home office, SGA now has event managers around Australia hosting over 100 SGA Tour events each year. Today, SGA events feature over $75,000 of prizes thanks to major  sponsors Srixon, Golf Clearance Outlet, Good Food Gift Cards, Heathcote Winery and Garmin. The SGA Golf Club has also provided handicaps for 1000s of Australian golfers.

In 2014 SGA partnered with GOLF Link to be the official event manager for the GOLF Link Race Series. SGA continues to go from strength to strength but, according to Pitt, SGA being an innovator and the first in the Social Golf market means very little.

“Social Golf is the flavour of the month now and we have competitors jumping on the Social Golf bandwagon, some even imitating the model that SGA has been developing for years. That’s ok – it’s a free market and it gives golfers options.”

“It’s not important that we were the first - our priority is continuing to offer golfers an affordable alternative with flexibility and choice. We are a family business offering personal service and we want golfers enjoying the game and friendships built on the golf course. SGA offers an inclusive club culture that all golfers are welcome to share and enjoy. We think that approach has served us well for a decade and fostering a fun and friendly golfing community is important to our golfers and is what sets SGA apart.”

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SGA Media Facebook page & SGA YouTube channel launched
Nov 14, 2015

SGA has launched the new SGA Media Facebook page to promote our videos on the Social Golf Australia YouTube Channel and other images, media and articles SGA has to offer. Our sponsor Garmin have supplied the SGA Media team with Garmin VIRB cameras to catch all the action on the golf course at SGA Tour events and at the pro events we cover.

We have been uploading new content recently and this week we have press accrediatation and a film crew on at the Australian Masters on the practice days. We are talking with the pros as they prepare for the first of the big three pro events for the summer to get some insight into how they prepare for one of the biggest events on the Australian golfing calendar.

We have dispatched SGA our (newly appointed) Digital Content Manager Robbie O'Donnell and our very own Peter & Peter to The Masters and in the coming days we will post interviews and information about the event and the players contesting the tournament that includes past winners Greg Norman (6 times), Colin Montgomerie, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O'Meara, Bernhard Langer, Justin Rose, Adam Scott & Tiger Woods.

We will post new clips on the days leading in to the event and we will upload new content through SGA Media. if you want to keep up with SGA Media, be sure to LIKE and share the SGA Media Facebook page and to sbubscribe to the Social Golf Australia YouTube Channel.

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Pitt's Push for Socal Golf article on BRG's Matthew Pitt in Golf Vic magazine
Aug 12, 2015

Pitt’s Push for Social Golf

By Henry Peters – published in Aug / Sept 2015 Golf Victoria magazine


From founding Bushranger Golf to his hectic role as Managing Director of Social Golf Australia (SGA),
Matthew Pitt is an innovator in the social golf sector. Henry Peters sat down with him to find out why some
traditional club golfers don’tunderstand what social golf clubs can do for the growth of the game.

 

Two teenagers are turning heads on Heidelberg Road in the Melbourne suburb of Clifton Hill. Matthew Pitt is one of them and he and a mate have developed a mode of transport rarely seen. “We used to ride our bikes from North Fitzroy to Yarra Bend, towing golf clubs on buggies hitched to the back of our BMXs.”

Now 46 years old, Pitt reclines on a chair in his home office in the central Victorian sleepy hollow of Heathcote, where he moved with his wife, Sally, in 2007. It’s school holidays and his three young children are running amuck inside the house while he bunkers down at Social Golf Australia’s (SGA) humble headquarters. Pitt has long championed the cause of social golf clubs and what they bring to the game of golf in Australia. He founded Bushranger Golf – now Australia’s biggest social golf club – in 2006 and Social Golf Australia (SGA) in 2009, which hosts over 100 events annually and now maintains over 1000 official handicaps around Australia.

“Golf clubs are our most important suppliers and we both benefit from the relationship. Our event bookings deliver green fee and catering revenues and our customers are potential new members for clubs,” Pitt says. “In addition to providing handicaps, all our events are official competition rounds. We’re giving golfers the opportunity to play events at different courses and introducing them to competition golf.”

Pitt’s passion for golf is unmistakable although work and famiy life have reduced him to only fleeting appearances at the beautiful Heathcote Golf Club. Four sets of golf clubs sit on the deck of his Heathcote home as he starts debunking some of the myths surrounding social golf clubs.

“There is a misconception amongst some club members that it’s us against them. A far more constructive approach is that the game needs all golfers and we can work together. Golf is competing with other sports and leisure activities. Rather than internal division, the game would be best-served with a unified approach.

Unfortunately, social golf can carry an unwarranted stigma that it is thongs, singlets, beer and swearing. There is certainly an element of that, but social golfers are the 700,000 people who play the game who are not members of a club. Social Golf Clubs are golfing fraternities that range from the ‘Sink Another’ SGC (eight pals playing monthly on various courses and enjoying a beer afterwards) through to highly orgamised clubs such as Nunawading SGC that is an official handicap provider with an elected committee, a constitution, office bearers and club championships.”

The attitude towards social golf clubs is changing. Perceptions that they are only stealing members from ‘proper’ clubs are less pervasive. Golf Victoria CEO Simon Brookhouse is urging all golf clubs to welcome the pathway that social golf clubs provide. “If the traditional clubs can embrace the fact that social club members are all potential future members, the marketing becomes easier for them,” Brookhouse wrote in this year’s Issue 3 of Golf Victoria Magazine.

According to Golf Australia’s statistics, there are currently more than 700,000 social golfers – people who play but don’t belong to aclub – and only 397,000club golfers.

“Clubs can generate revenue from social golfers through green fees, golf equipment sales and golf lessons . One of the challenges for the game is educating some club members that social golfers are an opportunity and not a threat.” Pitt laments. “If a golf club is looking to increase membership, the logical primary target demographic for new members is people who play golf and are not members of a golf club - social golfers. If they already have a handicap, then even better. The only other demographic to target is existing members at other golf clubs.”

Pitt began running golf trips to Murray River courses for a group of around 20 golfing pals. A web developer named Sam Saltis – founder of bwired.com.au – met Pitt at one of his events and encouraged him to develop his passion for golf into a business. Saltis became a business mentor and offered a Pitt a website which was the spark that started Bushranger Golf and later SGA.

Last summer SGA partnered with GOLF Link to manage the Race to Bonville events at 30 golf clubs around Australia and Pitt now oversees over 30 events a year in Victoria at venues including Kingston Heath, Victoria, Commonwealth, Huntingdale and Yarra Yarra. Even Australia’s most esteemed private clubs have warmed to the idea that social golf is a potential opportunity for revenues and/or membership growth.

Perhaps a lesser known demographic of social club golfers is the person who is also a member of a private golf club. There are no hard and fast stats but Richard Fellner – co-founder of Bushranger Golf and an Eastern Golf Club member – continues to juggle private and social memberships.“At Eastern, I play every Wednesday and then three, four times a year, Bushranger Golf has one of the weekends away. I’ll do the big trip away with them,” Fellner admits.

Pitt says the wide-ranging snapshot of the social club golfer is on show at SGA’s annual Australian Social Golf Club Championships in Queensland. “I see tradies and company directors who are old friends or they’re mates through a social golf club. They appear to be from different worlds and that’s the beauty of the game - golf brings friends together.”

The networking benefits of social golf membership are undeniable according to Fellner. He’s held the position of editor at Inside Golf magazine since 2009 – a role he argues came from his association with Bushranger Golf.“I pitched a story to the editor at the time saying I wanted to write a story about the social club and they said they loved it, they ran it, they said ‘do you want to start doing course reviews?’ I said ‘sure’, and then eventually moved on up to editor.”

Fellner – who moved to Australian from America 12 years ago – is a poster child for what social club golfers can do for traditional clubs.“I was introduced to a lot of courses around Australia. Eventually I came across Eastern and took the leap into private golf club membership.”

Pitt estimates that more than 25 per cent of Bushranger Golf’s members leave to join a traditional club supporting the view that the discount handicap model provides a pathway to club membership. While many people believe discount handicaps can hurt clubs, Pitt argues that Golf Australia’s decision to dismantle Golf Access Australia (GAA) effectively deregulated the handicapping market and opened the door for more handicap providers.

"Under Golf Access, golf clubs were protected as anybody who left a golf club had to wait 12 months before applying for a handicap through a GAA provider. The anti-Golf Access logic was counter-intuitive because GAA genuinely protected the golf clubs and provided a pathway for new club memberships. With GAA being removed, the 12 month rule protecting clubs no longer exists.,” Pitt states.

Pitt believes the deregulated handicap market has been the catalyst for some businesses to enter the market as new handicap providers. It is a challenge the game is working through, but Pitt argues that bridging the gap between club golfers and social golfers is critical for the future of the game.

“In Australia, golf is competing with cycling and soccer and cricket and a dozen other sports. That competition is already intense without the distraction of internal divisions between club and social golfers. We would be far better served if golfers could work in unison to promote the game and grow participation by making new golfers feel welcome on the course with us."

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SGA and Garmin form partnership for ASGCC and The SGA Tour
Jul 30, 2015

Social Golf Australia are pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Garmin Australasia for the ASGCC on the Gold Coast and the SGA Tour nationally.

We have over $2000 of Garmin prizes at the 2015 ASGCC with each of the winners recieving a Garmin Approach S6 Golf watch valued at $500.

In November and December, SGA Tour Members can access a special 25% Discount offer from our Garmin. We have a limited number of vouchers to give away for 25% off Garmin products. The terms of the offer are:

* Each voucher is coded for single use only
* The vouchers are valid for use until Dec 31 2015
* Purchases are made directly from the Garmin website
* The voucher can be used to purchase one or two Garmin products

To access a voucher, simply email our NSW SGA Tour Manager Robbie O'Donnell at nsw@sgatour.com.au and request a code and he will reply with all the information you require. If you have questions, you can contact Robbie on 0439 144 256.

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2015 ASGCC includes Royal Pines - Entry Forms available now
May 19, 2015

The 2015 Australian Social Golf Club Championships (on the Gold Coast from August 16-21) with feature a round of golf at the superb Royal Pines Resort - home of the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Ladies Masters. Entry forms for the 2015 ASGCC are available now. A PDF of the 2015 entry form is available for dowload from the ASGCC Entry Form page and hard copies are available around Australia at SGA Tour events and in Golf Clearance Outlet stores.

The 2015 tournament will feature some great new elements to make it even more fun and super value. Once again one lucky golfer will win a Free golf trip to Thailand (inc airfares) worth over $2500 to join us at the 2016 SGA International. This year will be the 11th ASGCC tournament and we are delighted to have continued our partnership with the luxurious and iconic ARIA Apartments in downtown Broadbeach.

The ARIA Apartments feature easy (walking distance) access to restaurants, bars, Jupiters Casino, clubs, shopping, the beach and all the other attractions Broadbeach has to offer. The ARIA offers 4.5 star 2 & 3 bedroom apartments (as well as Sky-houses and a Penthouse). For the ASGCC, Social Golf Australia is offering an exclusive sponsors discount offer of $65 per person per night twin-share (in a quad-share apartment) for additional nights at the ARIA outside the six nights included in the tournament.

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SGA Golf Club offers official handicaps on GOLF Link for $95
Jan 02, 2015

On January 1 2015, SGA officially launched The SGA Golf Club as a new national handicap provider under the SGA brand. Official golf handicaps through Bushranger Golf (BRG), which is owned by Social Golf Australia (SGA), were originally offered in 2007 through the Golf Access Australia (GAA) programme which was a joint initiative of Golf Australia, its Member States and the Australian Sports Commission to increase participation in golf and provide a pathway to golf club membership throughout Australia.

 In 2012 the handicapping landscape changed with the rollback of the GAA program and, at the suggestion of Golf Australia, BRG shifted affiliation to Golf Victoria via the Victorian Golf League (VGL). As a bona fide VGL Member club, some of the GAA conditions no longer applied but annual affiliation fee increases mean handicaps through BRG have risen to $110.

To counter this, The SGA Golf Club launched in January 2015 offering official golf handicaps (with insurance) for $95 for 12 months. We aim to offer a streamlined, efficient and cost-effective process for Australian golfers to access and maintain an official golf handicap. Golfers around Australia can access an official golf handicap in just three easy steps:

1. Complete the SGA Golf Club Online Handicap Application
2. Submit three (or more) signed scorecards OR your previous GOLF Link number
3. Make the $95 annual payment to Social Golf Australia

 

 

Golf_Link_logo_80.gif

 

 

      GA_logo_80.jpg      

The Benefits of an official golf handicap with The SGA Golf Club

  • Official golf handicap and insurance for 12 monhs for just $95
  • Your own official GOLF Link handicap swipe card.
  • A starter pack with rules, etiquette and general information.
  • Access to GOLF Link, Golf Australia's national online handicapping system.
  • A valid Australian affiliate handicap for one year from the date SGA registers you with GOLF Link.
  • Coverage through Golf Australia's Personal Insurance Plan (PIP) which includes cover for loss and damage of clubs, personal liability and personal accident insurance. Note that limits apply to the insurance cover.

The SGA Golf Club offers a more efficient and cost-effective means of accessing a handicap. For more information, see the SGA Golf Club page or the SGA Golf Club Handicap FAQs page and to apply online for a handicap, go to The SGA Golf Club Online Handicap Application Form and follow the three easy steps to activate your golf handicap.

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BRG social media online with the Bushranger Golf Facebook page
Aug 10, 2014

BRG has launched the new Bushranger Golf Facebook Page for golfers to see info, updates, news and photo galleries from relevent to the annual evetns and services hosted by Bushranger Golf.

As Australia’s largest online Social Golf lub, the new Facebook page provides a medium for our golfing comunity to share information and communicate. Bushranger Golf progeny, Social Golf Australia, has also launches the SGA Media Facebook page to promote our videos on the Social Golf Australia YouTube Channel and other images, media and articles SGA has to offer.

We plan to dispatch SGA’s (newly appointed) Digital Content Manager Robbie O'Donnell and our very own Peter & Peter to The Australian Masters so we can post interviews and information about the event and the players contesting the tournament that includes past winners Greg Norman (6 times), Colin Montgomerie, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O'Meara, Bernhard Langer, Justin Rose, Adam Scott & Tiger Woods.

Over time we will post new clips and build new content through SGA Media. if you want to keep up with SGA Media, be sure to LIKE and share the Bushranger Golf Facebook Page and the SGA Media Facebook page and to sbubscribe to the Social Golf Australia YouTube Channel.

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2014 ASGCC (Aug 24 - 28) moving to 4.5 star luxury ARIA Apartments
Mar 18, 2014

Social Golf Australia and Bushranger Golf are delighted to announce that the 2014 ASGCC (August 24 - 28) is moving to Broadbeach. This year will be the tenth ASGCC tournament and we are about to embark on a new era for the event that will see the value and enjoyment of the experience increase significantly. We have partnered with the luxurious and iconic ARIA Apartments in downtown Broadbeach and we anticipate this change in venue will see a significant increase in participation numbers at the tournament.

With the Mercure Gold Coast Resort partnering with the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast in August, we needed to find an alternate accommodation venue. The luxury ARIA Apartments feature easy (walking distance) access to restaurants, bars, Jupiters Casino, clubs, shopping, the beach and all the other attractions Broadbeach has to offer. The ARIA offers 4.5 star 2 & 3 bedroom apartments (as well as Sky-houses and a Penthouse) and we have been able to negotiate a great rate for our tournament so that the entry price for the 2014 event will remain the same as 2013.

We have made a large booking with ARIA and we will follow the same process as previous years where we will have a tournament package that includes accommodation (for single and twin-share) and one that is tournament entry only with the accommodation excluded. We are able to offer an exclusive sponsors discount offer of just $65 per person per night twin-share for additional nights at the ARIA outside the five nights included in the tournament.

This is a significant move for the event and with more pre-bookings than we have ever had, we are predicting that this year the event will book out for the first time. We are in the process now of completing the ASGCC budget and logistics plans and up-to-date 2014 ASGCC event information will be on the website soon with the new ASGCC Entry Forms to follow soon afterwards. In the 10th year of the tournament, we are looking forward to the biggest and best ASGCC ever this August. For more info, see the 2014 ASGCC Packages webpage.

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Custodians of the game article in February 2014 Inside Golf magazine
Feb 07, 2014

By Robbie O’Donnell (NSW SGA Tour Manager)
with Matthew Pitt (Managing Director of SGA & BRG)

When Richard Hadlee met Donald Bradman, he was in awe of the great man. In his prime, Hadlee was a man Australian cricket fans loved to take the mickey out of, but he was also widely respected for his great ability, work ethic, competitiveness and sportsmanship. The two men, who were both knighted for their services to cricket, discussed the game they loved and Bradman offered one simple piece of advice to Hadlee. Sir Donald told Sir Richard, “We are all custodians of the game.”

There is a great resonance in these few words. If you love the game and benefit from the enjoyment, camaraderie, friendships and (for some) prosperity of playing the game, then with that comes a responsibility to give something back. Others have come before us to create the game we love playing. We are indebted to them and we owe it to future players to continue that legacy and uphold the game and deliver it in good shape to those who follow in our footsteps.

Bradman took up golf seriously in his fifties, became a scratch player and went on to regularly break his age as a member of the Kooyonga Golf Club in Adelaide. He was a very competitive pennant player, renowned for his humility and rarely ever speaking about cricket while on the golf course. Without doubt he would have brought the same attitude of custodianship to the game of golf. From what I have seen and heard from Adam Scott, I should think it is an approach and philosophy that he shares.

In the same spirit (although of arguably slightly diminished ability), I too am a former cricketer who has taken up golf. I have played a lot of sport over a long period and golf is a little kinder on my joints now than some other sports. I have been bitten by the golf bug in a big way and am unashamedly a massive golf tragic. Golf now plays a significant part in my life and, if you are reading this, I’m sure it is the same for you.

I am fortunate that I am able to play a lot of golf and I am now also working in the golf industry. This means I meet and talk with many golfers and lately a hot topic of discussion has been subsidised golf memberships at clubs that, not so long ago, offered memberships that were unaffordable to many. Often I hear the question asked, “Why is that?” or “Are golf clubs really hurting that much?”

The answer, obviously, is yes and the evidence is all around us. Some examples are the increase in group buying discounts for quality golf courses, the disappearance of joining fees and the increased competition among clubs that has seen the rise of discounted memberships and a broader range of membership options. Many clubs are struggling to maintain or grow their memberships as golf battles to attract new players.

The reasons for this are a regular topic of discussion among golfers I know. One theory I have heard is that it is intimidating to join a golf club if you are new to the game. I recently met a couple of young golfers who had decided to take up our great game. Both had invested in a brand new set of clubs (or cleverly intimated that golf clubs would make a great Christmas gift) and set about hitting the fairways in their local area. 

Many social rounds later, both decided that it was time to join their local club, obtain a handicap, meet some likeminded golfers and make use of the practice facilities and the resident PGA Professional. Once they had learned something of golfing their ball, the time then came to play in their first Saturday competition.

Without having played an official competition round before or knowing anyone who could assist with their knowledge of the more obscure rules and golfing etiquette, the two new golfers were left to their own devices for the duration of their round.

“You took a drop in the wrong place, two shot penalty”, “You just stepped on my putting line”, “Hurry up, we are holding up the group behind us”.  These were the comments continually directed at them, without any assistance or advice nor effort to make them feel welcome. By the end of their round, any hint of excitement or achievement had been replaced by frustration and despair.

Was this what being a member of a golf club was like? Were all members going to treat them like this? Does the game of golf want us? Are there better ways to spend our time? With these questions running through their minds, the only place those shiny new golf clubs were going to end up was in the garage gathering dust and that was exactly what happened.

I am not for a second suggesting that all golf club members treat new or prospective members in this way. There are hundreds of thousands of super people playing golf in Australia who go out of their way to support their club and the game by generously giving their time and goodwill. Unfortunately, the positive efforts of so many are undermined by the disturbing number of golfers having a negative influence on the game.

Fortunately, with a little guidance, our two new players found their way past their poor first impressions of golf and they are now members of another nearby golf club (and a social golf club) and they are thoroughly enjoying their experience.

I was fortunate to be introduced to the game by someone who educated me on the details of the rules and etiquette of golf. Not everyone starting their life in golf is so lucky. We’ve all experienced what it is like to pick up a golf club and swing it for the first time, which is intimidating enough, but when we add to that the rules and etiquette a new golfer needs to learn, it can become a daunting prospect.

It is a shame that some golfers, for whatever reason, are reluctant to welcome new players. If we take a custodial approach, as golfers, we all share a responsibility to try and grow the game and assist it to prosper. If this means patiently explaining a confusing rule to a new player, or politely helping them understand the value in leaving their golf bag at the exit point of a green or lining up their putt while others are playing their shot, then these are small contributions we can all make.

When Sachin Tendulker and Shane Warne met Don Bradman, the great man told them that the standard of cricket was better now than in his era. So they asked him what he thought he would average if he played today. The Don paused and reflected and replied. “70, probably”. Tendulkar and Warne were surprised and Sachin asked, “Why 70 and not your actual average of 99?” Bradman replied, “You have to remember, I am 90 years old.”

Golf may offer the greatest challenge of any game to our skill and character and we are all custodians of the game but, as Bradman proves, we can take our responsibility seriously and still have fun with it. That is a significant part of why we play sports – for the enjoyment and camaraderie. I now take great pleasure from introducing new people to our wonderful game. If we all encourage one person to try their hand at golf this year and we make it a positive and welcoming experience, we can help foster the fraternity of golf and make our own small contribution to the good of the game.

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Article: What can you do for golf? - January 2014 Inside Golf magazine
Jan 05, 2014

Matthew Pitt, founder of Social Golf Australia and Bushranger Golf, gives an industry insider’s perspective on current trends in golf and future directions for golf participation in Australia.


I have just spent the morning reading the letters to the editor in Inside Golf and the insightful and informative editorials by Richard Fellner published over the past few months. It has been quite a revelation to read a range of the views around the issues facing golf and the variety of causes and solutions proposed.

Many of us agree a central challenge to address is falling participation. The reasons for this are manifold and have been well documented to this point. In essence, golf has an aging demographic, is struggling to attract new players and is effected by changing lifestyle choices, time constraints (more people are time-poor) and greater competition for leisure time and expenditure.

Time is very significant. Consider the rise in popularity of T20 cricket versus ODIs. An ODI takes seven to eight hours and a T20 can be completed in three hours. T20 takes out the boring bits and crams the action into half the time. For some people the shorter version makes it is easier to get to the game or watch it on TV.

This is not the fault of ODIs. The format itself is not flawed, it is simply that the game is adjusting to the demands of a changing market and society. Golf does not exist in a vacuum – we are facing similar challenges as cricket since the time it takes to play golf is significant. Notwithstanding the issue of slow play (which is very real), when a golfer travels to and from the course, has a warm up, plays the round and enjoys a drink with friends afterwards, the time required is in the ODI ballpark which is becoming too much for some.

With fewer people playing and some people playing less often, for the industry this means revenues are contracting. The pie is becoming smaller and there is less to share round among existing golf courses and clubs. Now, without getting too involved in the nitty-gritty of detailed economic analysis, with contracting demand and static (or growing) supply, the market is heading for an adjustment.

This is where golf is at now. For the games’ governing bodies, there is one key focus in tackling this – their charter is to grow the game and increase participation. This is what they are trying to do and if they succeed and more people play golf and existing golfers play more often, then the problems confronting many clubs will begin to be resolved.

However, the situation as it stands is that the total number of golfers is falling and has been for some time. In 2004, the number of club members was 500,000 and social golfers (people who play the game but are not club members) was 700,000. Today these figures are estimated at closer to 450,000 and 650,000. In a free market, the consequence is increased competition for a greater share of a contracting demographic. The result as we go through this adjustment is reducing the supply and we are seeing course closures and mergers occurring now.

By way of example, not too long ago there were two free golf magazines in the Australian market – Inside Golf and The Golfer. As expenditure in the industry contracted, competition for advertising dollars intensified to the point where one publication discontinued. The same market forces and competition for a bigger piece of a contracting market are at play throughout the industry among golf clubs, courses, service providers, equipment manufacturers, online stores and retailers.

In addition, as society is changing, so are the behaviours and expectations of new generations of golfers. If the majority of golfers in the past were content to play their home course almost exclusively, today many more golfers are interested in variety. They see great golf courses on TV and online and they want to play them. Would Barnbougle Dunes have been so rapidly acclaimed and patronised if it had opened 50 years ago?

The way some golfers are changing their behaviour and buying choices is not right or wrong. It just is. People change. Societies change. Markets change. Shrinking participation is not what any of us who love the game want to see. In the case of golf today, if the current trends continue, we are heading for more course closures and those that react to the changing environment will prosper and survive.

The best outcome would be a boom in golf and new players coming to the game. We are all hoping Adam Scott and Jason Day can both achieve sustained success. Not only will more people be drawn to the game by being inspired, but if both are ranked in the top 10 for years to come and they return to Australia every summer to play, they will drag the best players in the world along with them. Higher quality fields will mean bigger audiences, sponsors and prize money.

In the meantime, we are all confronted with a different reality. Predictably there are some people mired in the past or too stubborn or scared to confront the problem and work creatively to find solutions. The view held by some that golf clubs are undermined by social golfers is as astounding as it is uninformed.

If a golf club is to grow its membership it has three demographics to target: 1. members of other clubs, 2. people who play golf but are not a member of a club (social golfers) and 3. people who don’t play golf. It is worth keeping in mind that people in category three will probably become social golfers before becoming club members as it would be highly unusual for a person who cannot play golf to join a golf club before learning to play.

Obviously if clubs increase their membership by taking members from other clubs then it doesn’t solve any broader issues the game is facing. This is simply the process of competition playing out in the market that will result in course closures and mergers. In this case, the greatest threat to the viability of clubs is competition for members from other clubs, not social golfers.

Hence, the smart play for a club looking to increase membership, viability and sustainability without damaging other clubs in the golfing community, is to target the 650,000 or so people in Australia who already play golf and are not members of a club. If you accept this argument, then the clubs and club members disparaging and discriminating against social golfers are simply demonstrating their ignorance. They are the ones that will fall behind and disappear while their more flexible competitors (other golf clubs) prosper.

It is staggering to me to read some of the letters in this magazine from club members on this subject. Treating the social golf demographic as an enemy to be reviled and shunned is just astonishing. I cannot think of any business that treats it’s most significant demographic of potential new customers in such a way. The tragedy is that the people taking this position are doing their clubs an enormous disservice. By being rude and unwelcoming to potential new members, they are hurting their club.

As a business owner, it is not a concern for me, as those people are driving new customers through our doors. We require that our golfers participating in our events are courteous, respectful and considerate. People who are rude, selfish and intolerant are not welcome. The consequence is an extremely friendly, welcoming and courteous community among our participants. It is the key to our success and continuing strong growth.

However, as a golfer, it is tragic to see and hear selfish people damaging their clubs and our game. They are a destructive, negative influence and a blight on golf. Unfortunately, it would be naive to think that clubs are not competing with each other for members – they are. That this is the case only weakens the position of those discouraging new members from among the social golf market and increases the importance for clubs to court this demographic. What is required is for individuals to put their self interest aside to work positively and cooperatively for the benefit of their club and their game.

Raking a bunker and repairing a divot are small acts but they all add up and make a difference for everyone’s benefit in the long run. Bringing a guest and a potential new member or introducing a junior to the game and making them feel welcome does not require a great deal of effort, but these small things all add up and can make a difference between the prosperity or the closure of a golf club. We are all in this together. To paraphrase JFK, in troubled times, ask not what golf can do for you, but what you can do for your game.

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Australian Handicapping System changes coming online on Jan 23 2014
Dec 23, 2013

On January 23 2014, Golf Australia will implement more changes to the Australian handicapping system. Below is a list of some of the key changes with short definitions and explanations. At the bottom of this page are some links to the Golf Australia webpages with information, FAQs and links to more detailed explanations of all the changes.

GA Handicap: A player’s Golf Australia (GA) Handicap as displayed on the GOLF Link system – this is effectively a change in name only from the current system. When you look up your handicap on GOLF Link, you will see your exact GA Handicap as calculated by GOLF Link according to your best 8 of your last 20 rounds and the .93 multiplier.

Slope: The difference between the scratch rating and the bogey rating of a golf course. The slope rating is not a rating of the difficulty of the course, but of the differential in difficulty the course represents for a 0-marker as opposed to an 18-marker. This differential is then represented by a number of between 55 and 155 with 113 being the regarded as neutral slope (representing an equal difficulty for the scratch and the bogey player).

Daily Handicap: The handicap a golfer plays off from a particular set of tees on a golf course as determined by referencing the player's exact GA Handicap (as it appears on GOLF Link) with the slope rating of the set of tees at the golf course they are playing. Golf Australia have created Daily Handicap Charts that golfers can use to look up their Daily Handicap from a list of exact handicaps referenced to the slope rating of a golf course. These are available online and most clubs will have them on display for easy reference at the course.

Daily Scratch Rating (DSR): This is an automatic calculation performed by GOLF Link when competition results are processed. Scores from the field in the competition are compared with statistical “normal” scores for the course and, if there is a significant enough variance, a daily rating for the difficulty of the course will be applied (similar to the CCR system) to account for the difficulty of the playing conditions at the time of the event.

Conforming Social Scores (CSS): Formerly know as ad hoc scores, these are scores from non-competition or social rounds. Discretion has been placed with each club to determine whether they allow CSS. Bushranger Golf may allow CSS to be added for members if they have less than 20 rounds on their playing history and/or if the score is likely to reduce the player’s handicap. The GA conditions are:

• The player must nominate prior to the round that it is for their handicap.
• The scoring format must be Stableford.
• The player must have a Marker throughout their round.
• The player must abide by the Rules of Golf.

Stableford Handicapping Adjustment (SHA): All scores entered on GOLF Link must be in the form of Stableford scores. For Par events, when competitions are processed, GOLF Link will automatically add 36 to the Par score to determine the Stableford score. For a Stroke competition, the golfer will be required to record both the stroke score and the stableford score. This is the same as the current stableford scoring process except all the strokes need to be recorded for a stroke competition. The results for the stroke event will be determined by the nett stroke scores but the scores entered on GOLF Link will be the stableford scores.


Overview of the January 23 Changes

The introduction of a Slope Rating system will bring about a fundamental change in how golfers interact with their handicap. Before Jan 23, 2014, a golf handicap has been a constant value that the golfer has been able to check on GOLF Link and it has been the handicap the golfer plays from on any golf course.

I have been asked whether the new system will disadvantage a golfer who maintains their handicap through Bushranger Golf and the answer is no. Some people mistakenly believe a golfer's handicap will be referenced to the difficulty of their home course and as we do not have a golf course, the system will mitigate against our memebers. This is not the case as the handicap is simply calculated from the rounds on a player's handicap history no matter where those rounds were played.

When the new system is implemented, the handicap a player sees on GOLF Link will be termed their GA Handicap and will not necessarily be their playing handicap. Instead, the golfer will have a Daily Handicap that will be calculated based on referencing their GA Handicap with the Slope Rating of the course being played.

A round played off the Blue Tees is likely to carry a different handicap than a round played off the White Tees, because both sets of markers will have different Slope Ratings. The Daily Handicap is the GA Handicap multiplied by (Course Slope Rating/113). Hence, a player with a GA Handicap of 10, playing on a course with a Slope Rating of 125 will have a handicap of:

          10 x (125/113) =11.06 so Daily Handicap will be 11

The same golfer playing on a course with a Slope Rating of 90 will have a Daily Handicap of:

          10 x (90/113) = 7.96 so a Daily Handicap of 8.

Slope Ratings range between 55 and 155, with the lower ratings generally reducing a player’s handicap, and higher ratings increasing it. Handicaps round up at 0.5 when calculating the Daily Handicap using the formula. Golfers will need to know their exact GA handicap when they come to a golf course so they can refer to the Slope Rating reference chart of the golf course to determine their Daily Handicap.

Golf Australia had advised that it will be the player's responsibility to play off the correct Daily Handicap; however, GA also notes that there will be an obligation on clubs and courses to assist players as much is practicable with the Daily Handicap calculation process.

For those struggling to digest the breadth and depth of information around the handicapping changes, you do not need to study all the detail. Much of the new process will be calculated by GOLF Link and the same system applies to all golfers and is intended to create a fairer and more equitable handicapping system. Golf your ball and the handicap will take care of itself. For those interested in more detailed information on the changes, go to:

www.golf.org.au/default.aspx?s=newgahandicapsystem

www.golf.org.au/default.aspx?s=qadsr

For info on accessing an official Australian golf handicap, go to the Golf Handicap page.

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Drive For Show Putt For Mo SGA Charity Golf Day article in Nov Inside Golf
Nov 03, 2013

The SGA Tour is hosting its annual charity golf day supporting Movember.

A group of celebrity golfers is teeing up with a field of amateurs to Drive for Show – Putt for Mo and raise funds for a good cause. The annual SGA Tour Charity Golf Day, established by Social Golf Australia (SGA), is a fun way for golfers to support Movember. The event is being staged on the Old Course at the superb National Golf Club in Victoria on November 26.

Movember is a global movement founded in Australia that raises awareness and funds to support the two biggest health issues faced by men – prostate cancer and depression. Movember assists men’s health by encouraging fellas to grow a Mo in November and sign up Mo-sponsors. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and their men’s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue: the national depression initiative.

The SGA Tour Charity Day is on Tuesday Movember 26 with a 9:00am shotgun start. A portion of the entry price will go to Movember and additional funds will be raised with the support of corporate sponsors, activities on the day and by encouraging golfers to register with, and participate in, Movember.

Inside Golf is happy to support Movember by publicising the day and we look forward to running a picture of a field of (mostly) moustachioed golfers teeing off for a good cause. Cleanskin golfers are welcome, but Matthew Pitt from Social Golf Australia (SGA) is encouraging golfers to Mo-up for the day.

“We would like to see as many golfers as possible displaying their plumage. We certainly welcome women and juniors and we don’t expect them to muster a Mo, but we hope as many fellas as possible join the spirit of the day and get a bit furry for a good cause.”

Social Golf Australia runs an SGA Tour event series in five mainland capital cities and will be encouraging golfers around Australia to register with Movember. For the golfers playing the event, the entry price is discounted for those registered with Movember. There is an SGA Tour Charity Golf Day Team webpage on the Movember website where golfers can register for Movember. If golfers are already Mo-registered, they can simply join the SGA Tour Mo Team. Links to all the relevant pages appear on the Social Golf Australia website.

The day will offer a complete professional tournament experience with driving-range balls included, carts for all golfers, a shotgun start, a single stableford event with over $1000 of prizes, celebrity golfers sharing the fun of the day and a presentation lunch after golf that will include some extra fund-raising activities. According to Pitt, the plan for the day is to have some fun fostering a Mo-fraternity on the golf course to help a good cause.

“Movember is a great community initiative and supporting prostate cancer research and beyondblue directly or indirectly benefits so many Australians. We founded this event in Victoria in 2012 and we had a great response. The event raised $4,500 in the first year and our plan is to build on that by developing this as a national initiative in 2013 and beyond. We operate events around Australia and we are looking at hosting an SGA Tour Charity Day in every mainland capital each year to support Movember.”

“All of our events are official competition rounds with results entered on GOLF Link and all golfers are welcome. We decided to make the event a single stableford competition rather than an ambrose or team format. Golfers with handicaps can compete in the official comp and social players are also welcome to join in the fun of playing and can compete for all the novelty prizes.”

The event has been developed with the support of the National Golf Club and all entries are through The SGA Tour in Victoria. All golfers are welcome to enter, although it is anticipated that the event will book out. Entry is $190 per person or $170 for those who have registered with Movember (both men and women can register) and, according to Pitt, the celebrity participation will be a great drawcard.

“Kerry Armstrong and our SGA Ambassador Andy Lee were very generous with their time and support for the event last year. Andy has just had a shoulder operation so won’t be playing this year, but Kerry is returning to play and we have invited several celebrity golfers, including some Movember ambassadors, to join us at the event. We are greatly appreciative for the support from all our celebrity participants who are helping to promote the event and make it fun day for all involved.”

Inside Golf is a proud supporter of The SGA Tour and we look forward to reporting on the event and the competition results. For more information and entry details, go to www.socialgolfaustralia.com.au and click on the moustache or call SGA in Victoria directly on (03) 5433 3213 or Matthew Pitt on 0425 742 501.

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Happy Jock wins trip to Thailand: article in Nov Inside Golf magazine
Oct 29, 2013

Jock Lum from the famous Gold Cross SGC in Victoria is known among his pals as a happy-go-lucky golfer. This unflappable character always has a smile on his face and loves travelling far and wide to play great golf courses. He is well-liked everywhere he goes for his easygoing style so he was a very popular winner when he struck it lucky at the 2013 Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) and won a free golf trip to Thailand.

A member of Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club, Jock enjoys having a laugh with his mates from Gold Cross and each year a crew of them make the trip to play in the ASGCC on the Gold Coast. Every golfer in the field is entered in a draw to win a free golf trip to Thailand and compete in The SGA International the following year. Jock was keen but didn’t really rate his chances when the draw was made at the ASGCC presentation dinner.

“When my name was called out I nearly fell off my chair. They give out heaps of great prizes at the event and in all the years coming here I haven’t made many trips to the podium. This has bowled me over. Sincere thanks to Matt and Sally from SGA who run a great tournament every year. We all love coming to this event and I can’t wait to play in The SGA International in Thailand next March.”

Jock’s prize is valued at over $2500 and includes entry in the 2014 SGA International, airfares, seven nights’ accommodation at the Pattaya Sabai Resort, buffet breakfasts, four rounds of golf with cart and caddy, all transfers in Thailand, competitions, trophies and prizes.

In 2011, Social Golf Australia (SGA) partnered with Thailand Golf Tours (TGT) to establish an annual international amateur golf event. In 2014, the third SGA International will be held from March 8 – 15 in Pattaya, a beach resort south of Bangkok. The courses for the event include The Old Course, The Plantation Course and the new Waterside Course at Siam Country Club and the magnificent Laem Chabang International Country Club designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The ASGCC and the SGA International attract adventurous amateurs from around Australia who enjoy the experience of playing in a professional tournament atmosphere. According to Matthew Pitt from SGA, the free trip to Thailand has added a great deal of excitement to the ASGCC and Jock was a very popular winner.

“Entries in the ASGCC grew by 25% this year and the chance to win free entry in the SGA International has been a significant factor. It is the biggest prize we present and we were delighted it went to a quality person and gentleman golfer. Jock has played with us in the past in our Vic SGA Tour events, is a regular at the ASGCC and is great fun fella to enjoy a game of golf with.”

The SGA International is a 72-hole single stableford tournament with the four rounds spread over seven days. The event is a luxury golf experience held on superb courses and all golfers have their own cart and caddie for each day of golf. The number of entries doubled in the second year and strong bookings already for 2014, Pitt expects the numbers to continue to grow.

“The key to the success for any golf event is having great people involved and in the first two years we had a large group of adventurous golfers in Thailand who were determined to have a good time. Many said it was the best golf trip they had ever been on and are planning to return. There is already a lot of interest in the 2014 SGA International and we are expecting a big field to join Jock and myself in Thailand next March.”

The 2014 ASGCC will be held on from August 24 to 28 with golfers playing at some of the best courses on the Gold Coast. The event features over $15,000 of prizes thanks to sponsors Mercure Gold Coast Resort, Thailand Golf Tours, Golf Clearance Outlet, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, Heathcote Winery and Inside Golf. Event information and ASGCC entry forms are available from Social Golf Australia’s website.

Bookings for the 2014 SGA International are open now with a range of package options available. To enter or for more information, go to www.socialgolfaustralia.com.au and click on the SGA International logo or contact Matthew Pitt from SGA directly on (03) 5433 3213 or 0425 742 501. Inside Golf is proud to support the SGA International and provide event coverage and results.

Click here for the SGA International & Thailand Golf online booking page

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Dramatic finish at the 2013 ASGCC: article in Oct Inside Golf magazine
Sep 30, 2013

The 2013 Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) reached a thrilling climax when Laurence Wilson from The Baysiders Social Golf Club clinched the tournament and a national title for his team with a dramatic chip-in for birdie on the 72nd hole of the tournament.

The final round was played at the foundation course, Palm Meadows Golf Course on the Gold Coast where the 18th hole is rated as one of the top 100 golf holes in the world. The hole was the often the scene of gripping drama at The Palm Meadows Cup, Australia’s richest professional golf tournament in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

A left-to-right curving par five with water the entire length of the right side and guarding the front of the green, it is a brilliant finishing hole as it offers a range of options from the tee and the fairway. Greg Norman won the Palm Meadows Cup in 1988 by one shot and players with his power and control had the opportunity to make a late charge with an aggressive play on the famous final hole. This meant it was often the scene of dramatic finishes among the pros and that tradition continued this year at the ASGCC.

The format for the event is stableford aggregate with the best three scores counting as the team score each day. This meant that as he stood on the 18th tee, Laurence knew his team was in contention, but he did not know the exact score. As it happened, with two shots on the hole, a six for three points would force a tie. He played three great shots to avoid all the water but missed the green in regulation and needed an up-and-down to clinch the win with a large gallery surrounding the final green.

A retiring golfer who does not seek out the limelight, Laurence was a little anxious before the event that his lack of experience may be a hindrance to his team. Needless to say he is unaccustomed to playing in front of big crowds, but he brought the house down when he played the shot of his golfing life and chipped in for birdie to wrap up the tournament for his team.

The Baysiders was the best represented club in 2013 with four teams turning out (Baysiders A, B, C & D). Only Nunawading SGC and Sunraysia SGC have been represented at all nine years of the tournament with Noel Tuck (Nunawading) and Paul White (Sunraysia) the only players to have attended every event. The Baysiders and Gold Cross SGC bring multiple teams each year and have had representatives at the event every year since 2006.

After seven years of dedication when The Baysiders hardly made a dint on the leader board, the floodgates have opened with two consecutive wins by different teams representing the club. As it happened, Laurence’s shot vaulted his team past another team of his club-mates so they took the top two places on the podium. Club impresario Greg Chad says they are extremely proud that a Baysiders team won the title for a second time.

“Our club has had a very strong connection with this tournament for many years“, says Chad. “Our members look forward to coming here every August to compete and meet golfers from around Australia. The tournament is very well run and always a lot of fun thanks to the great people who participate. We are sincerely delighted and humbled that the Baysiders have won the honour of being Australian Social Golf Club Champions for the second time.”

The 2013 ASGCC was staged on the Gold Coast from August 25 to 29 as a 72-hole amateur stableford tournament with 100 golfers from around Australia coming together for a week of great golf and fun. The event featured superb Gold Coast weather and rounds at Palm Meadows, Lakelands and The Glades.

Although it is a championship for social golf clubs, every competitor at the event had an official handicap and the majority of participants are golf club members. The event is played according to the rules of golf with an emphasis on enjoying the fun and sportsmanship of competition golf with respect to the rules, traditions and spirit of the game.

When all the scores were in, it was Bruce Cox, Vic Manitta, Laurence Wilson and Rod Donnelly from the Baysiders B Team who scored a total of 407 to win the title of 2013 Champion Australian Social Golf Club by just two points. Bruce Cowan, Greg Chad, Phil Durrington and Max Lamb from Baysiders D were second with 405 while Paul White, Clinton Mayes, Dennis Williams and Andrew Stewart from Sunraysia A were third with 393.

In A Grade, Clinton Mayes from Sunraysia (VIC) won with an impressive 147 points after a brilliant final round. In B Grade, Brian Chappel from Gold Cross (VIC) took the chocolates with a total of 141 points. In C Grade, Vic Manitta from The Baysiders (NSW) had a very consistent tournament to win with 143 points. In D Grade, Winston Doyle from The NADS All Stars had a couple of great rounds that were enough from him to hold on for the win with a total of 140 points.

The other big winner at the Championships was the very popular Jock Lum from the famous Gold Cross SGC. Jock took home the biggest prize of the event when he won the raffle for a free ticket (inc airfares) to The SGA International thanks to the generous sponsorship from Thailand Golf Tours. The total value of the prize was over $2400 and the 2014 SGA International will be played from March 8 -15 in Pattaya, Thailand.

Tournament host Social Golf Australia extends congratulations to all the golfers who shared in the $15,000 prize pool at the event made possible through the generous support of event sponsors Thailand Golf Tours, the Mercure Gold Coast Resort, Golf Clearance Outlet, Gifte gift cards, Srixon,  Cleveland Golf and Heathcote Winery.

Inside Golf is a proud partner of tournament host Social Golf Australia (SGA) and we provide coverage of the ASGCC and results from The SGA Tour events they host in each of the mainland capital cities. For 2013 ASGCC results, links to photo galleries and information on entering the 2014 SGA International and/or the ASGCC, go to the ASGCC website.

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The SGA Tour a hit with amateur golfers: article in July Inside Golf magazine
Jul 06, 2013

The SGA Tour events for amateur golfers played in the five mainland Australia capital cities have experienced a significant increase in numbers at events in 2013 as more golfers adjust the way they engage with the game.

With participation falling and many clubs struggling to retain members, golfers exploring more cost-effective options are finding the SGA Tour offers a more viable means to play competition golf within an alternative golfing community.

The SGA Tour offers golfers of all levels the opportunity to compete in an event series based on the format of the professional golf tours. The events are scheduled every two to three weeks and golfers simply choose the events they wish to enter and only pay for what they play. It is a more practical alternative for many golfers squeezed for time and struggling to extract the value they would like from a golf club membership.

SGA Tour events are open to all golfers and SGA is a national handicap provider. Players without a handicap are welcome although players require official handicaps to compete for the major prizes and results are entered on GOLF Link.

The largest events in Melbourne and South East Queensland are attracting fields of 60 to 120 golfers and are continuing to increase. In Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, the fields are growing rapidly which suggests these cities will follow the trend in Brisbane and Melbourne where the Tour was first established.

In addition to the prizes on offer, SGA Tour players receive Order of Merit points and can qualify to compete for an annual Tour Championship. According to Matthew Pitt, Managing Director of Social Golf Australia (SGA), the Tour is growing because it meets the needs of both the golfers and the courses.

“Our goal is to create a friendly, inclusive and ‘social’ golfing community where people can enjoy the challenge of competition golf at a range of great locations in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. In essence, the SGA Tour takes the best elements of the club, social and professional golf models and combines them. Our events are an opportunity for amateur golfers to play on their own Tour, just like the pros. The events are official competition rounds, we have great sponsors and quality prizes and our service includes professional event management with results and updates on our websites.”

SGA has partnered with sponsors Golf Clearance Outlet, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, Heathcote Winery and Gifte gift cards to offer a great range of prizes at the events. In addition, Pitt is a qualified handicapper and has helped nearly 1000 people around Australia access an official golf handicap. According to Pitt, the events offer golfers great value and professional event management and golf courses in every State have welcomed the opportunity to be included on the Tour event schedules.

“The benefit for the courses is the opportunity to secure large group bookings with one point of contact without some of the headaches that can come with social golf clubs. The challenge for us now is securing large enough bookings on weekends with two-tee and shotgun starts as our fields increase. Fortunately, many of the courses we are working with see the potential of the SGA Tour concept and have been very helpful with coordinating bookings.”

The Tour events are mixed competitions with men and women playing together and juniors welcome to participate. There are also a large number of golf club members at Tour events who enjoy the opportunity to play different courses. This year the Tours have grown by between 20 and 40% which Pitt attributes to several key factors.

“Many people are shifting in the way they engage with the game – they want the value, flexibility and choice that the Tour offers. We are a family business founded by golfers and we put the game first with a strong emphasis on personal service and creating a friendly and inclusive community for golfers.”

“In each State we have an SGA Tour Manager running the events. They are people who love the game and enjoy fostering a positive environment for all golfers to enjoy. We have also been very fortunate to have a core group of great people form the foundation of the Tour in each State. They have welcomed new players and helped make the events a great success.”

PGA Member David Lawrence enjoys playing in the Tour events in Queensland and says the diversity of courses, the friendly golfing fraternity and the professionalism of the event management are features of the Tour.

"The Tour is not just a great opportunity to meet new people playing a variety of great courses across South East Queensland, but every event is well run by David Rushmore and his team; from registration to presentation, it is by far the most professional event series I have seen in my 15 years in the industry.”

The SGA Tour is operated by Social Golf Australia and is proudly supported by Inside Golf. For more information on The SGA Tour, including event schedules and how to enter an event, go to sgatour.com.au and follow the links to The SGA Tour in your State.

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Good people grow the ASGCC: article in May Inside Golf magazine
May 04, 2013

Good people & good times help to grow the ASGCC - article in May 2013 Inside Golf magazine

Professional golf may be in turmoil following the Tiger Woods penalty controversy at the 2013 US Masters, but amateur golfers in Australia continue to approach the game with a sense of fun and respect for the traditions of the game that are the cornerstones of golf. And nowhere is the sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game better demonstrated than at the annual Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) on the Gold Coast.

The event is an official national championship for amateurs representing their social clubs and golf clubs that places great emphasis on enjoying playing tournament golf in the right spirit with great respect for the rules and etiquette of the golf. According to Social Golf Australia (SGA) founder Matthew Pitt, playing golf with a sense of fun in a sportsmanlike fashion is not difficult to do and, in his view, it is the way most Australian golfers like to play the game.

“The golfers at our event are generally people who relish the great challenge and tests of skill and character that golf provides as well as having a laugh and enjoying the company of friends and fellow competitors on the golf course. Our event management philosophy is really as simple as that: great golf and great fun. To us, the word “social” means enjoying the company of your fellow players and the experience of playing in a tournament. We recognise that the quality of the people who play are the key to the success of the event as a super golfing experience.”

“Our golfers want to combine a fun holiday on the Gold Coast with their mates and partners, with playing in a tournament on super golf courses and meeting new people from golf clubs around Australia. At the same time, they want to compete in an event to win an Australian title in a format that gives everybody entered an equal chance to take home the title. Our job is to supply our golfers with a fun event that also has the credibility of an official national championship.” said Pitt.

The ASGCC, which is supported by Golf Australia, was founded by Palm Meadows in 2005 and is now in its ninth year. All golfers are welcome to play in the event, however only players with current official handicaps can compete for the great prizes and titles on offer. Pitt says their goal is to deliver the best possible value and experience for those playing in the tournament.
 
“Each year we look for ways we can improve the championships to add value and interest for our golfers. We have always taken care to protect the integrity of the game and supply golfers with a fun atmosphere at our events. The ASGCC has grown every year and we have a range of improvements this year that make it more fun and challenging than ever before and offers super value to our golfers from around Australia.”

In 2013, the event returns to its original 72-hole format so amateur golfers can experience the challenge of playing in a professional tournament atmosphere. This year the Glades Golf Course has been added to the roster of courses with the first and last rounds at the foundation course, Palm Meadows, and the middle two rounds at Lakelands Golf Club and The Glades.

The event is staged from August 25–29 and to make it easier for amateur golfers to manage the rigours of a 72-hole tournament, there is a rest day after the first two rounds. Players can choose to enjoy the many options available to tourists on the Gold Coast on the rest day or simply play more golf on the superb golf courses in the region. Entrants receive over $300 of discount green fee vouchers for use at partner courses while at the event.

This year also sees the addition of a number of new sponsors to add to the value and excitement of the tournament. The Mercure Gold Coast Resort is a major sponsor offering event participants the opportunity to access discount rates on accommodation and meals for the duration of the tournament. Heathcote Winery continue their long association with the event and, thanks to Thailand Golf Tours, one lucky golfer will again be drawn to win a free golf trip to Thailand (including airfares) to compete in the 2014 SGA International.

New tournament sponsors in 2013 include the Golf Clearance Outlet, Gifte gift cards and Srixon and Cleveland Golf which will mean an increase in the prize pool in 2013 to over $15,000 of prizes, trophies and giveaways with Golf Clearance Outlet and Gifte supplying in-store and online vouchers as prizes. The event is also tied to the SGA Tour event series (sgatour.com.au) that SGA runs in all Australian mainland capitals. The top three finishers in the Order of Merit in each State win discount entry in to the ASGCC the following year.

Entry forms are available at SGA Tour events around Australia, in Golf Clearance Outlet stores and online at www.socialgolfaustralia.com.au which has a link to the ASGCC website. Golfers can also contact SGA directly on (03) 5433 3213. Inside Golf is proud to support the ASGCC and we will provide event coverage and results in 2013.

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Official golf handicaps now affiliated through Golf Victoria & the VGL
Feb 12, 2013

Bushranger Golf has switched handicap affiliation to process handicaps through Golf Victoria (via the Victorian Golf League). With the roll back of Golf Access Australia (GAA) this was the best available option open to us. The change will have no bearing on our handicapping operations or our golfers - it is an administrative shift for the direction of affiliation fees for golf handicaps.

Bushranger Golf remains as a national  handicap provider supported by Golf Australia and we are one of the biggest official handicap providers and golf clubs in the country. In February 2013, BRG has over 1500 members around Australia and we have allocated handicaps to over 600 golfers. To supply official events for our golfers to play in, BRG has founded Social Golf Australia as an event management company to offer official golf events for all Australian golfers to enjoy.

One the key changes now is that BRG are no longer bound by the GAA one-year rule that prevented golfers from immediately transferring handicaps over to us. As an affiliated VGL golf club, we can transfer a players handicap anytime and retain their GOLF Link playing history and existing handicap.

Note that our transfer of affiliation to the VGL, there will be no change or interruption for our golfers - it will be an administrative change for us, but the golfers maintaining handicaps with us experience no discernible change. For more information on accessing an official golf handicap with us, see our Golf Handicap webpage.

Best regards and good golfing,

Matthew Pitt
Bushranger Golf
Social Golf Australia

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Venues, dates, sponsors for 2013 Aust Social Golf Club Championships
Jan 10, 2013

The 2013 golf courses for Social Golf Australia's premier annual event, the Australian Social Golf Club Championships have been finalised. The event will be held on the Gold Coast on its traditional dates - the final full week in August. In 2013, that is from August 25 - 29. When entry forms are ready, a PDF will be available for download on the ASGCC Entry Form page. We are also pleased to announce that hard copies of the 2013 ASGCC Entry Forms will be available at SHA Tour events around Australia.

The 2013 tournament will feature as much  fun and super value as ever before with a few changes to the event this year. Founding sponsor the Radisson Resort Gold Coast has been bought out by The Mercure Group. We are currently in productive negotiations with the Mercure to secure a similar arrangement to the last eight years.

Each year we aim to improve the excitement and the value of the tournament and we have a few changes this year that we hope will make the event more fun for all involved. In 2013, we are again offering participants the opportunity to promote their business through our new Minor Sponsorship Packages. Some of the features of this year's Championships are:

  • One lucky golfer will win free entry (inc airfares) into to the 2014 SGA International thanks to out partnership with Thailand Golf Tours (TGT).
  • Over $15,000 of trophies and prizes for teams and individual grades thanks to our sponsors.
  • We have included the superb Glades Golf Course and retained Lakelands and Palm Meadows.
  • Entrants will all receive over $300 worth of discount green fee vouchers to be used at our partner golf courses before and after the Championships.
  • Early Bird Discount and the Founding Members Discounts (both $100) available once again.
  • The event will return to the original 72-hole format. We have made it four rounds (like pro events) by letting go of the ambrose and making Sunday the first round.
  • We have included a round at the superb Glades Golf Course.
  • We have two afternoon starts (rounds 1 & 2) and two morning starts (rounds 3 & 4).
  • We have included a rest day, so we have two rounds, a rest day and then two rounds.
  • We will have two white tee starts (rounds 1 & 3) and two blue tee starts (rounds 2 & 4)
  • New sponsorships with Gift Gift Cards, Srixon and The Golf Clearance Outlet.

    2013 ASGCC Event Itinerary

    Sunday Aug 25

    Round 1

    Palm Meadows

    12:30pm shotgun

    Monday Aug 26

    Round 2

    Lakelands Golf Club

    12:30pm shotgun

    Tuesday Aug 27

    n/a

    Rest Day

    n/a

    Wednesday Aug 28

    Round 3

    The Glades

    8:30am shotgun

    Thursday Aug 29

    Round 4

    Palm Meadows

    8:00am start

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    Kerry Armstrong & Andy Lee at SGA Tour Charity Golf Day for Movember
    Dec 14, 2012

    Celebrity golfers Kerry Armstrong, Scott McGregor and SGA Tour Ambassador Andy Lee pitched in to help raise valuable funds and awareness for Movember at the inaugural SGA Tour Charity Golf Day. The event was played on the Old Course at The National Golf Club on Tuesday November 27 and kicked off what will become an annual feature on the SGA Tour Event Schedule in Victoria.

    At the 2012 event, funds were raised through the individual efforts of SGA Tour golfers who joined the SGA Tour Charity Golf Day Team, ticket sales for the day, the generous contributions from event sponsors Lush Landscape Creations and Fruitopia Produce Australia and a charity Auction that was kindly sponsored by Wilson Staff. In total, SGA Tour golfers and our sponsors raised $4575 for Movember, with thanks in particular to Brian Davis ($620), Nick Sutherland ($510), Jason Layton ($480), Nick Mouhtaropoulos ($450) and Mark Henderson ($200).

    Movember is a global movement founded in Melbourne that raises awareness and funds to support the two biggest health issues men face - prostate cancer and depression. Movember assists men's health by encouraging fellas to grow a Mo in November and sign up Mo-sponsors. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and their men's health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue: the national depression initiative.

    The event was developed with the generous support of the National Golf Club and the day offered a complete professional tournament experience with driving range balls, carts for all golfers, a shotgun start, single stableford event with over $1000 of prizes and presentation lunch.

    It was a tough day on the course with persistent showers over the opening holes. The rain eventually cleared and the golfers were rewarded with great conditions for the rest of the round. For the results from the day and a link to a photo gallery of all the action, see the 2012 SGA Tour Charity Golf Day Results page.

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    Inside Golf article - SGA Tour Charity Day: Drive for Show - Putt for Mo
    Nov 01, 2012

    Drive For Show - Putt For Mo

    Article published in November 2012 Inside Golf magazine


    The SGA Tour has launched its first charity golf day supporting Movember.

    SGA Tour Ambassador Andy Lee from Hamish & Andy is leading a group of celebrity golfers teeing up with a field of amateurs at the end of November in the first SGA Tour Charity Golf Day to support Movember. The event is on the Old Course at The National Golf Club and cleanskin golfers are welcome, but Matthew Pitt from Social Golf Australia (SGA) is encouraging golfers to Mo-up for the day.

    "We would like to see as many golfers as possible displaying their plumage. We certainly welcome women and juniors and we don't expect them to muster a Mo, but we hope as many fellas as possible join the spirit of the day and get a little bit hirsute for a good cause."

    Movember is a global movement founded in Melbourne that raises awareness and funds to support the two biggest health issues men face - prostate cancer and depression. Movember assists men's health by encouraging fellas to grow a Mo in November and sign up Mo-sponsors. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and their men's health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue: the national depression initiative.

    The SGA Tour Charity Day is on Tuesday Movember 27 with a 9:00am shotgun start and aims to raise funds and awareness for Movember. A portion of the entry price will go to Movember and additional funds will be raised with the support of corporate sponsors, activities on the day and by encouraging golfers to register with and participate in Movember. Inside Golf is happy to support Movember by publicising the day and we look forward to running a picture of a field of (mostly) mustachioed golfers teeing off for a good cause.

    Social Golf Australia runs an SGA Tour event series in all the mainland capital cities and will be encouraging golfers around Australia to register with Movember. For the golfers coming to the day, the entry price is less for those who have registered with Movember. There is an SGA Tour Charity Golf Day Team webpage on the Movember website where golfers can register for Movember. If golfers are already Mo-registered, they can simply join the SGA Tour Mo Team. Links to all the relevant pages appear on the Social Golf Australia website.

    The day will offer a complete professional tournament experience with driving range balls included, carts for all golfers, a shotgun start, a single stableford event with over $1000 of prizes, celebrity golfers sharing the fun of the day and a presentation lunch after golf that will include some extra fund-raising activities. According to Pitt, the plan for the day is to have some fun fostering a Mo-fraternity on the golf course to help a good cause.

    "Movember is a great community initiative and supporting prostate cancer research and beyondblue directly or indirectly benefits most Australians. We have developed our first Charity Golf Day in Victoria this year and we have had a great response already. Our plan is to develop this as a national initiative in 2013 and beyond. We operate events around Australia and we are looking at hosting an SGA Tour Charity Day in each mainland capital in November 2013 to support Movember."

    "All of our events are official competition rounds with results entered on GOLF Link and all golfers are welcome. We decided to incorporate the event on our regular SGA Tour schedule and make it a single stableford event rather than an ambrose or team format. Golfers with handicaps can play in the official single stableford comp and social players are also welcome to join in the fun of playing and can compete for all the novelty prizes."

    The event has been developed with the support of the National Golf Club and all entries are through The SGA Tour in Victoria. All golfers are welcome to enter, although it is anticipated that the event will book out early. Entry is $190 per person or $170 for those who have registered with Movember (both men and women can register) and, according to Pitt, the celebrity participation will be a great drawcard.

    "We are delighted that our ambassador Andy Lee is assisting the event by playing on the day and inviting some celebrity golfing pals to join in the fun of the event. Andy is a quality person and we are greatly appreciative of all his support, both for our charity day and for golf in general. Movember will also have celebrity ambassadors who are keen golfers and we have invited them to join us on the day."

    Inside Golf is a proud supporter of The SGA Tour and we look forward to reporting on the event and the competition results. For more information and entry details, go to www.socialgolfaustralia.com.au or call SGA in Victoria directly on (03) 5433 3213 or Matthew Pitt on 0425 742 501.

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    Inside Golf: Radical shift to handicapping via Golf Access Australia
    Jun 03, 2012

    I was interviewed by Richard Fellner from Inside Golf magazine for an article on the recent changes to the Golf Access Australia (GAA) handicapping system. Richard spoke with me because we operate Bushranger Golf as a national GAA handicap provider and it is one of the biggest GAA providers in Australia. We operate Social Golf Australia as an event management company to offer events for all Australian golfers to enjoy.

    Bushranger Golf is a national GAA provider affiliated directly through Golf Australia. The recent changes in Victoria affected the Sate providers affiliated through Golf Victoria so Bushranger Golf is unaffected by these changes. The article below outlines that GAA providers can transfer to affiliate through The Victorian Golf League (VGL). I have had very positive discussions with the VGL regarding transferring our affiliation to the VGL in anticipation of the event that Golf Australia decides to discontinue the GAA program nationally.

    Whether or not GAA continues and we affiliate through Golf Australia or the VGL, Bushranger Golf will continue as a golf handicap provider with little or no disruption to our golfers. If and/or when we transfer affiliation to the VGL, there will be no change or interruption for our golfers - it will be an administrative change for us, but the golfers maintaining handicaps with us experience no discernible change.

    The model we have developed since 2007 has been widely embraced by golfers around Australia as an affordable means to maintaining a handicap with personal service. Bushranger Golf has over 1400 members and more than 500 of these people have activated a handicap through Bushranger Golf. Below are excerpts from the article that appeared in the June 2012 edition of Inside Golf and you can view the full article on the Inside Golf website.

    Best regards and good golfing,

    Matthew Pitt
    Bushranger Golf
    Social Golf Australia

     

    Golf Access Australia undergoing radical shift - Richard Fellner

    Golf Victoria moves GAA handicaps to RACV and VGL, while GolfNSW and Golf Queensland re-evaluate their options.

    GOLF social clubs and social golfers who get their handicaps via the Golf Access Australia program will be facing an important decision in the following months, as the GAA Handicapping program is undergoing a major transition, starting in Victoria.

    The program, originally launched by Golf Australia/AGU in 2007, was designed to act as a pathway for social players to convert into club membership. Operated on a state level, it has been administered by various GAA providers in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, as well as via a national provider, Bushranger Golf.

    But in a letter to the nearly 2000 Golf Access Members in Victoria, Golf Victoria announced that handicaps would no longer be available through the state body, and that members should consider transitioning to another provider; with the RACV Golf Membership receiving top billing.

    "Following a recent review by Golf Victoria, it has been decided that the current Golf Access membership will no longer be offered," the letter explains. "Instead, Golf Victoria has formed a relationship with RACV Golf Membership. This relationship provides a fantastic opportunity for Victorian social golfers to access a wide range of benefits not currently available to Golf Access members."

    The letter came as a surprise to many GAA members, as well as some independent GAA providers, who found themselves unexpectedly unable to renew handicaps of their members. Inside Golf spoke with a number of GAA providers who were both shocked and upset by the announcement.

    "We were completely blindsided by this," said one GAA provider, who asked that their name and club be withheld. "We were not consulted at all, nor were any of the other GAA providers that we've spoken with. We had no warning that this was coming, let alone that a review had taken place.

    "From our position, it has been very poorly managed and the outcome is a backward step for golf. It appears that GAA providers have been removed from the market and the RACV is being handed a monopoly. Many of our golfers are very angry and we feel somewhat betrayed given how we were lobbied by Golf Australia initially to participate in the Golf Access program when it was established."

    Golf Victoria's CEO, Simon Brookhouse, told Inside Golf that the decision to end GAA administration at the state level was based on many factors.

    "Following the development of the Golf Victoria strategic plan, it was identified that an area of potential growth was that of the social golfer. The social golfer market appears to have been disjointed in the past with a number of options provided but no consistent approach across the state."

    The GAA Program has sparked debate throughout its existence. Social golfers openly welcomed the program, as it gave them access to an official Golf Australia handicap (via the GolfLink system), as well as the necessary insurance and other benefits. Private clubs, however, voiced serious concerns about the program, claiming that it had the opposite effect, essentially driving members away from clubs and into more social play.

    Brookhouse suggests that the latter was the case, with GAA not fulfilling its original goal.

    "Our data suggests that Golf Access members were not converting to club membership. The product has not been subject to any development since its inception, and with Golf Australia introducing the CLSGN, Golf Victoria felt that the further development of the Golf Access product was unlikely."

    But the conversion data in Victoria may not tell the entire story. According to Matthew Pitt, founder of national GAA Provider Bushranger Golf, between 20 to 25 per cent of golfers they have supplied GAA handicaps have transitioned to club membership.

    "We know 20 per cent of our golfers do not renew with us as they have joined a club, but the actual percentage is higher than that. We are aware of many cases where the golfer is not transferred on GOLF Link and the new club creates a new entity for the golfer on the system. We think it is safe to say that a quarter of the golfers we have put on handicaps have used the GAA handicap as a pathway to club membership. I would think the percentages for State-based providers vary from ours, but the figures we have reported to Golf Australia have been very consistent over six years."

    According to Stephen Pitt, CEO of Golf Australia, the golfing landscape has undergone a change.

    "The playing and membership environment has changed compared to when Golf Access was developed," Pitt explains. "Golf club membership is, in many cases, less expensive and of greater value than Golf Access, so social golfers can indeed play as they want, whether that be socially or at a golf club in competition. "The recent introduction of Golf Club Connect enables golfers to purchase and find suitable and more flexible membership offerings to suit their needs. This means the golf clubs are getting significant support and social golfers in particular are too," Pitt said.

    Victoria is just the first of the states to formally re-evaluate the Golf Access program, with NSW and Qld potentially following suit.

    "Golf NSW is currently reviewing its Golf Access and Golfers' Club NSW/ACT programs," explains Graeme Phillipson, General Manager of Golf, GolfNSW. 

    "We are looking at consolidating these programs together with the national program. Golf NSW does receive queries from casual golfers who are interested in alternative ways of having a handicap other than becoming a full-time member of a golf club. Our challenge is to find the right mix between satisfying the desires of these golfers and also meeting our clubs' needs. We are in the process of discussing these schemes with our Clubs and Districts to determine the best way forward."

    Golf Queensland, which has about 12 social golf clubs registered on Golf Access, is also working on ways to implement a similar scheme to that in Victoria and New South Wales.

    "Golf Queensland does receive calls about Golf Access so we have identified there might be a need to change as well," says Luke Bates, manager of golf operations.

    "We are trying to work out ways to fulfil the need that is out there for those players who want to play competition golf, but who are unable to join a traditional golf club. We must also be mindful of keeping traditional member golf clubs happy."

    So what are the current options for social/casual golfers to get an official handicap?

    Joining a country golf club or a metropolitan club is the obvious choice, and many clubs (especially the cash-strapped country-based clubs) are offering an increasing range of alternative membership options to suit a variety of budgets or playing preferences.

    In Victoria, golfers and/or clubs can join the Victorian Golf League (www.vicgolfleague.com.au, 03 9417 3019), which represent all golfers on public access courses. The VGL currently offers handicaps at 78 clubs across Victoria, with a membership of over 7000 golfers.

    "This is a great opportunity for Social Golfers. The VGL can affiliate all golfers, either with one of our existing 78 clubs, or as a new social club,"says Peter Kingshott, president of the VGL. "If they elect not to join the RACV Golf Program, Social Clubs can join our League as a Restricted Club for $80 per member, and maintain their Australian Handicaps, along with all other benefits they enjoyed with Golf Access, including magazine subscriptions, Public Liability, Injury and Property Insurance.

    "Golf Access was originally intended to provide a pathway for social golfers into mainstream golf; this new direction, will now provide that. "

    Finally, golfers in all states can join Bushranger Golf (www.bushrangergolf.com.au, 03 5433 3213). Since 2007, Bushranger Golf has provided full official handicaps for golfers across the country, and offers all the necessary insurance and access to a variety of professionally managed events in various states.

    "Bushranger Golf welcomes all golfers who are interested in holding an official handicap," says Pitt. "Our goal is to help golfers where we can and to promote and grow the game. We have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to introduce so many golfers to handicaps and provide a pathway to club membership. We look forward to helping many more people activate a handicap to enjoy participating in the fun and challenge of competition golf."
     

    FOOTNOTE 1:  The Crown Lager Social Golf Club, launched by Golf Australia in November 2011, offers "casual" handicaps which are maintained by golfers and calculated via GolfLink. These handicaps give an indication of a player's skill, but are not officially recognized, and do not qualify for most Australian events or competitions.

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    2012 Bushranger Cup a deluxe golf weekend and a finish full of birdies
    Apr 06, 2012

    The 2012 Bushranger Cup weekend was another superb adventure as a bunch of old-school Bushrangers and a swag of new recruits lined up for their annual crack at the greatest prize in Australian Golf - The Bushranger Cup. It is the flagship event and the reason BRG was invented and it promises and delivers good times and thrills and spills every year.

    On Friday March 30, a record-equalling field of 36 incorrigible golfers saddled up for nine holes at Rosebud Country Club for the first round of the ninth Bushranger Cup and from the first hole it was mayhem. The BR Cup is an annual event played over 45 holes between teams of four that is undoubtedly the greatest social golf event in the world. This year, the BC was contested at Rosebud CC and at Moohah Links on the Legends and Open Courses.

    2012 saw all the usual pre-event manoeuvring with old partnerships broken, new marriages formed and thrills and spills in the mounting yard just before the field took flight. As is the case every year, all the teams were wildly talking up their chances and threatening to blow the tournament apart. Like every other year, to stay in contention, the teams had to navigate through the treacherous first nine holes of the weekend without imploding.

    After the first round, we had one team that bolted away for a big early lead, one team that dropped their bundle in the starting gates and seven teams in the middle of the deck that were all very evenly poised with just four shots between them. After a thrilling weekend, it came down to a five-way battle over the closing holes on Sunday at the Open Course at Moonah Links. Only a couple of shots separated the first five teams as they stood on the 15th tee and the title was wide open. As so often happens at the Bushranger Cup, there was a very dramatic finish.

    Having done little all day, the defending champions, The Kelly Gang, exploded over the closing holes with a birdie, birdie, birdie, birdie finish to swoop through the field and clinch an improbable victory by a narrow two-shot margin. It was the first time in the nine-year history of the Bushranger Cup that any team had ever mounted a successful defense. Below we see the 2012 champions, Dave Warwick, Richard Mitchell, Nick Honey and Matthew Pitt soaking up the win after the presentation.

    2012_BC_Champs_home_1.JPG

    The leading teams and scores for 2012 were:

    Place

    Gang

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Rnd 4

    Total

    Par

    1st

    The Kelly Gang

    73

    65

    68

    67

    273

    - 13

    2nd

    The Ben Hall Gang

    63

    74

    74

    64

    275

    - 11

    3rd

    The Captain Melvilles

    76

    66

    66

    68

    276

    - 10

    4th

    The Aaron Sherritt Gang

    74

    72

    70

    61

    277

    - 9

    5th

    The Canvas Town Mob

    74

    68

    68

    69

    279

    - 7

    For all the info on the event and the form guide on the players, read the 2012 Bushranger Cup Program and check out the 2012 Bushranger Cup results page which contains a link to a series of galleries with great photos of all the characters and the fun of his great weekend. The 2013 Cup has been set for the weekend of February 8, 9 & 10 on the Mornington Peninsula playing The Dunes, St. Andrews Beach and Moonah Links. The next fun weekend away is the Cash & Co. Classic at Barnbougle Dunes in May, then we have the 2012 Kelly Gang Shootout on July 21 & 22 at Rich River Golf Club and on the weekend of October 20 & 21 we repair to the Mornington Peninsula for the mighty William Buckley Classic.

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    Golf Club House Divided article from March 2012 Inside Golf magazine
    Mar 07, 2012

    A Golf Club House Divided - Matthew Pitt

    Published in March 2012 Inside Golf magazine

    It was Abraham Lincoln who said "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Australian golf today is in a battle to compete with other leisure activities for the time, expenditure and attention of golfers and potential golfers. If Honest Abe was right, squabbling over narrow self-interest within the game may place the future of golf at risk.

    Some recent letters to Inside Golf highlight one such schism in Australian golf. In issue 76, Frans Vogel wrote that he could not agree to terms with a golf resort on a weekend group package and he took his business elsewhere. He argued that the club must be financially strong if protecting member's tee times was worth more than the $15,000 revenue he was offering.

    Bankstown GC member Stuart Heidenreich's response (issue 77) was that golf clubs only survive through long-term and loyal membership, not through visitor bookings. In issue 78, Trevor M took things further, suggesting that Mr Vogel had argued that club members should give up their tee times to visitors.

    Golf clubs today must maximise the return on their resources to survive and, for most clubs, visitor green fees and bar takings are essential. Moreover, many larger clubs also actively court the wedding market. This is not to say that club memberships are unimportant. Club memberships are the bedrock of every club's viability, but it would be naive to suggest that golf clubs 'only' survive through memberships.

    Unfortunately, some club members lapse into taking a high-minded approach to visitors - I have seen this at my club. However, taking an 'us and them' approach simply cleaves an unnecessary division between club golfers and social golfers. Both groups are dependant on each other - the clubs need the green fee and catering revenue and the visitors need the golf courses to play on.

    Not all clubs and club members are like this. In December I was a guest at The Victoria Golf Club in the week prior to the JB Were Masters and I was struck by the friendly hospitality from every club member and staff member I encountered. At one of the premier clubs in Australia, I was made to feel warmly welcome and valued as a guest at the club.

    We are blessed to live in a country with the third highest number of golf courses per capita in the world. This is a remarkable privilege we enjoy. The resources required to create and maintain golf courses are enormous. The vast majority of people in the world do not have the luxury of choice and availability of access that we enjoy with our golf courses. When it comes to golf, we truly are the lucky country.

    Rather than focussing our energy on creating a divide between factions in the game, we would be better served by together attending to one of the biggest issues facing the game: falling participation. The more people playing golf, the more benefits there will be for all to share, including better course conditions and facilities. If the game is ailing and participation is falling, then we all stand to lose. This applies to all golfers - whether you are a club member, a social golfer or both.

    In addressing participation, we can all contribute by being ambassadors for our game. We can all help to promote golf and get more people playing by encouraging juniors, newcomers to the game and our fellow golfers to feel welcome and to want to continue playing. Golf Australia and all the State amateur governing bodies can set the example and lead on these issues, but we can all play our part. If we focus on what unifies us as golfers, we can share the common goal of the betterment of the game. To achieve that, we first need to set aside what separates us.

    In one respect, we all recognise that we are custodians of the game. Every divot we replace, every pitch mark we repair and every bunker we rake is done through a sense of shared responsibility to others on the golf course with us and those who will follow us down the fairway. It is not a great leap to extend this consideration to fostering an approach of inclusiveness and hospitality among our fellow golfers.

    Perhaps the greatest quality of the game of golf is that it is self-regulating. It requires a high level of integrity, character, sportsmanship and consideration for our fellow golfers. If we can learn and apply these principles in our approach to golf, both on and off the course, perhaps together we can all give something back to the game. We would all be better served to regard our fellow golfers as comrades in arms with a common purpose and love for the game, rather than just competitors for tee times.

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    SGA Tour golfers get pro golf experience at 2011 SGA Tour Championship
    Jan 04, 2012

    Amateur Golfers get pro experience at the SGA Tour Championship

    Article that appeared in January 2012 Inside Golf Magazine

    Amateur golfers who played on The SGA Tour in Victoria in 2011 were treated to a deluxe golfing experience in December when they played the final event of the year, The Tour Championship, in tournament conditions at the superb Victoria Golf Club on Melbourne's sandbelt.

    The SGA Tour Championship took place just one week prior to The Australian Masters held at Victoria GC with preparations in full swing for the professional tournament. Most of the event infrastructure was in place with grandstands on the course and the amateur players of The SGA Tour got a taste of the golf course set up for professional tournament play.

    The presentation of the course was outstanding with the playing surfaces in mint condition and the greens running fast and true. It was a great challenge for the amateur players of The SGA Tour to tackle Victoria Golf Club just before the pros stepped onto the course for one of Australia's premier professional golf tournaments.

    The Tour Championship is the final event of the year for The SGA Tour in each State. In Perth, the event was help at Joondalup Resort, in Adelaide it was at McCracken Golf Club, in Sydney it was Windsor Golf Club and in SE Queensland the field was so big that the event was split over two courses: The Villa and Emerald Lakes.

    All golfers are welcome to play in any SGA Tour event. Each competition is a stand-alone event - you can play in one or you can play them all - it's up to you. Club members, social golfers, men, women and juniors are all welcome to enter and for those with a handicap, the SGA Tour events are official competitions with results entered on GOLF Link. Players without an official handicap are also welcome to play and can compete for the great novelty prizes on offer.

    At The Tour Championship in each State, the leading golfers in The SGA Tour Order of Merit were able to compete for the exclusive Tour Championship title. All other golfers in the field played a single stableford competition with great prizes up for grabs thanks to SGA Tour sponsors Drummond Golf, Wilson Staff, Heathcote Winery, Wurth Australia and Cygnett.

    In Victoria, the golfers enjoyed perfect weather and a great test of golf with just 37 stableford points being the best score posted, indicating how challenging scoring was at Victoria Golf Club. There were over $4500 of prizes including a new set of Wilson Staff irons, a stay-and-play package for four people at Victoria Golf Club, a cordless power drill set from Wurth valued at over $700 and a speaker set from Cygnett valued at over $400.

    When the Victorian results were in, SGA Tour player Matthew Thomas won The Tour Championship with 35 Stableford points on countback from David Warwick and Paul Enion. Matt took home a new set of Wilson Staff irons and The Tour Championship perpetual trophy.

    There were three other SGA Tour annual trophy events in 2011: Neil Hocking won the Order of Merit; Chris Hull and Phil Smith shared the 4BBB Championship and Mark Henderson won the Golfer of the Year. David Puddefoot won the open event at Victoria GC on countback from Bill Shanks with 37 points. David won the cordless power drill set from Wurth.

    The SGA Tour is operated by Social Golf Australia and is supported by Inside Golf and Golf Australia. For more information on The SGA Tour, including 2012 event schedules and all the 2011 results and photo galleries, go to sgatour.com.au and follow the links to The SGA Tour in your State.

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    Neil Hocking a popular winner of the 2011 BRG Player of the Year
    Dec 15, 2011

    Neil Hocking (aka Hocks) has had a stellar year on The SGA Tour and in Bushranger Golf events. Possessing a dry sense of humour and an equanimity that is the envy of many, his outstanding sportsmanship and generous disposition make a very popular participant at every event he enters.

    His win in the 2011 Player of the Year (POY) title has been a very popular victory and he added to that with a win in the SAG Tour Order of Merit. His year in the BRG Major Championships started with a very creditable third place in the 2011 Bushranger Cup and followed that up with a runner-up finish at the Kelly Gang Shootout and he followed that with a third place at the William Buckley Classic and some very solid late year from in the closing Handicap Days. He jumped out to an unassailable lead in the POY points race late in the year and never looked like being headed.

    Neil_Hocking___Andy_Lee_1.JPG 

    Above we see Hocks receiving the 2010 4BBB Championship he won from our friend Andy Lee at the SGA Tour (Vic) 2010 Tour Championship at Kingston Heath on December 14. To see all the results for the 2011 POY, go to the 2011 BRG POY Results page.

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    The 2011 William Buckley Classic a festival of golf & fun in Barwon Heads
    Nov 01, 2011

    The William Buckley Classic has now firmly established a reputation as one of the toughest and tightest events on the Australian golfing scene. After four consecutive years of a one-shot margin and the tournament being decided by the final putt on the final hole, this year was a relative blowout with the title being decided on the 17th hole on Sunday with a whopping four-shot margin.

    The event is a 36-hole bonanza of golf and fun for teams of two played annually at venues around Port Phillip Bay. This year it was held over the weekend of Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of October and the venue was the superb 13th Beach Golf Links. The tournament was contested in good spirit with a great collection of personalities making it one of the most enjoyable golf weekends BRG has hosted for some time. Barwon Heads turned on some great weather for us and both the courses were in top condition and presented a terrific test of golf.

    In a spectacular display of golfing brilliance, Diesal Dave Warwick got himself in the zone and could not be extracted by any means. This correspondent threw every heckle conceivable at him but all to no avail. Dave's accomplice was Phil Peacock, who played very well in patches, but was the first to admit he was somewhat of a passenger as the unstoppable Diesal found his range and tore the 13 Beach Golf Links to pieces. In the finish, the leading scores were:

    Place

    Teams

    Day One

    Day Two

    Total

    Score

    1st

    Dave Warwick
    Phil Peacock

    44 points

    41 points

    85 points

    - 13

    2nd

    Chris Hull 
    Philip Smith

    41 points

    40 points

    81 points

    - 9

    3rd

    Neil Hocking
    Gavan Doran

    42 points

    38 points

    80 points

    - 8

    = 4th

    Jason Woods
    Nick Brooke

    35 points

    43 points

    78 points

    - 6

    = 4th

    Rob Lugton
    Chris Stimmel

    35 points

    43 points

    78 points

    - 6

    For all the results, check out the 2011 WBC Results page. In 2012, the WBC will return to the Mornington Peninsula to be played at The Dunes Golf Links & Eagle Ridge Golf Course. For all the info on how to enter the next WBC, see the 2012 WBC Preparations page.

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    Changes to handicapping system effect how to get a golf handicap in Aust
    Oct 10, 2011

    From Wednesday 21 September 2011, changes have been introduced by Golf Australia to how Australian handicaps (for both men and women) are calculated. The changes affect initial handicap calculations and the overall calibration for how golf handicaps are calculated over time.

    The changes have been introduced in response to the growing controversy and debate in golfing circles since the introduction of the first set of changes to the Australian handicapping system in April 2010. The current changes are the second significant step of several on the way to full adoption of the USGA's handicap system.

    Golf Australia has introduced a new formula which will be used to calculate golfers' handicaps. In a letter to Australian golf clubs, Golf Australia Chairman John Hopkins detailed the changes and stated that: "The Board believes that the proposed changes will please the Australian golf community and we will soon start to see a handicap system more closely aligned to the way we play our golf."

    The September changes introduce four amendments to the Golf Australia Handicapping System:

    1. The 'Best 10 of 20' calculation has been altered to a 'Best 8 of 20'.
    2. The Bonus for Excellence multiplier has been changed from 0.96 to 0.93.
    3. An Anchor Round has been introduced to prevent a player's handicap increasing any more than 4 strokes beyond their best exact handicap from the previous 12-month rolling period.
    4. Golf Link will cap the score that goes into a player's handicap record at no more than 50 (women) and 40 (men) over the course rating.

    The new formula was derived based on an intensive statistical analysis that found that the Best 10 of 20 handicapping system had, according to Hopkins, "over-corrected the previous heavy bias in favour of low markers to a significant bias in favour of the higher markers".

    To read more news on Golf Australia's Handicapping System, go to:

    http://golfaustralia.org.au/default.aspx?s=newsandcommunication

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    WA & Vic BRG teams vie for honours as champion State at the 2011 ASGCC
    Sep 03, 2011

    This year Bushranger Golf was proud to have two teams representing the club at the Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) on the Gold Coast. The event was held from August 21 - 24 at Palm Meadows Golf Course, Lakelands Golf Club and Robina Woods Golf Course with competitors staying at the Radisson Resort Gold Coast.

    We had one team from Western Australia and one team from Victoria, neither of which threatened the engraver for the major title, but both teams got into the spirit of the tournament and made a point of enjoying all the event had to offer. As a little side action, a great rivalry developed between the two teams to see who could claim the honour of being the best Bushranger Golf team at the national championship for social golf clubs.

    From Victoria, the BRG representatives were Chris Hull, Ansel Arcuri, Peter Rowe and David Robson. From WA, the BRG team was Alan Lampard, Ivan Jones, Anne Donnelly and Craig Roberts. The two teams were evenly matched and fought out a ripping battle over the four days of the Championships.

    On the first day at the fun four-ball ambrose, the Vics took the honours by a quarter of a shot, scoring 64.5 to WA's 64.75. When the tournament proper started, WA jumped out of the blocks with a score of 89 to the Vics 85. In the second round, the Vics fought back with an 84 to the 78 of WA to take wrestle the lead from the sand-gropers and go into the final round with a two shot buffer.

    The final day was a an engrossing battle between the two teams with plenty of advice on offer and good-natured banter. On the final day, the Vics shot a credible 90 points, but the indomitable Bushrangers from the West came storming home with a score of 93 to pinch the unofficial title of Best Bushranger State at the ASGCC by a single shot. The final totals were BRG WA 260 and BRG Vic 259.

    It made for a lot of fun at the tournament and it looks like being the start of a great annual tradition with early banter suggesting that there will be at least two Bushranger Golf teams from both WA and Victoria next year and at least one BRG team from South Australia joining the fray. If you want to join the fun and represent your State as a Bushranger Gang at the ASGCC, get your pals together and free up some time to head to the Golf Coast from August 19 - 22 in 2012. It is sure to be another great contest and a lot of fun for all the Bushrangers who make the trip.

    For entry details for the 2012 event (August 19 - 22), go to the Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) website and follow the links to the Entry Form page. Every year, electronic copies are available for download from the website and hard copies are available in Drummond Golf stores around Australia.

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    2011 Kelly Gang Shootout a great weekend of fun & games and brilliant golf
    Aug 02, 2011

    The 2011 Kelly Gang Shootout weekend on July 22, 23 & 24 turned into a three-day festival of fun as a horde of crazy Bushrangers rode into Tocumwal with a wild plan to have a great time on the two wonderful golf courses at the Tocumwal Golf Club.

    We kicked off with a Handicap Day on Friday arvo in fine conditions where a field of 20 scoundrels lined up to play a Stableford event in preparation for the mighty KGS on the weekend. Once the Handicap Day fun was done, the field dismounted for a quiet Friday evening to prepare for the first round of the KGS.

    Somewhere in amongst all the frivolity, a golf event got played. After a brilliant first day, The Glenrowan Hacks (Neil Hocking, Gavan Doran, Ian Crotty & Pete Russell) had put a two-shot gap on the field, but things slowed down for them on the Sunday and a couple of swoopers came from the field to make things interesting. The Benalla Burglars (David Regenspurger, Wade Jones, Matthew Thomas & Dave Amos) shot a brilliant round on Sunday to come flying home and steal victory in a very close finish where just two shot separated the top three teams. The leading 2011 KGS teams and scores were:

    Place

    Team

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Total

    Par

    1st

    The Benalla Burglars

    71

    70

    63

    204

    - 12

    2nd

    The Glenrowan Hacks

    69

    68

    69

    206

    - 10

    2nd

    The Stringybark Creek Freaks

    74

    70

    62

    206

    - 10

    To read all about what happened and for links to the galleries, go to the 2011 KGS Results page. The next BRG weekend event is the mighty William Buckley Classic on the weekend of October 23 & 24. The event is open to all golfers who enjoy a fun weekend of golf, so get your swag packed and your Contact us to get yourself entered in what will be a great fun golf event.

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    Inside Golf mag features Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm article by BRG
    Jul 05, 2011

    This month, our friends at Inside Golf published an article by BRG founder Matthew Pitt profiling two of Australia's most talked about golf courses: Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm in Bridport, Tasmania. We made a trip to The Barn & The Farm in late May to play the inaugural Cash & Co Classic. For more info on the event, check out the June 1 News Item, the 2011 CCC Results, the 2011 CCC Program and the BRG Photo Galleries. We have reproduced the article below or you can click here to read the piece on the Inside Golf website.

    A Golfer's Diary: The Pilgrimage
    to Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm

    Inside Golf magazine - July, 2011`

    Matthew Pitt, Bushranger Golf & Social Golf Australia

    Since it opened in 2004, Barnbougle Dunes has very quickly been rated by many as among the great golf courses of the world. With the opening in 2010 of its sister course, The Lost Farm, the facility has become an essential golfing destination for every golf tragic.

    Like many golfers, I have been intrigued to find out for myself what all the fuss is about.

    The Plan

    One evening at a golf course somewhere, a plan was hatched among a group of mates to tackle this great Australian golfing odyssey together. As we chatted, the speculation commenced on which is the better course. I decided that I was not going to compare them. My goal was to simply enjoy the indulgence of playing these two superb sister courses.

    After a few colourful planning sessions, we decided on 54 holes over three days with two rounds at Barnbougle Dunes and one at The Lost Farm. To make the time to play three rounds, we decided to take the deluxe option and fly directly to the courses on private charter planes with Vortex Air.

    Friday May 27

    When the day finally arrived, the excitement was palpable. We met at Moorabbin Airport early on a drizzly, overcast morning and, as the planes were packed, we had brekky in the departure lounge and indulged in some loose speculation on the days ahead. After take off, we enjoyed an aerial tour of Melbourne's sandbelt courses to start the 80-minute flight. After an hour, the clouds below us cleared and the northern coast of Tasmania came into view. As we crossed the beach, the sun skimmed across the surface of Bass Strait and we made a long, arching turn that offered a breathtaking view of both golf courses.

    We landed next to the second fairway of Barnbougle Dunes on a crisp, sunny morning with hardly a breath of wind. We were met by Eric who made us feel most welcome and transferred us to the clubhouse that sits on one side of a cosy amphitheatre of coastal dunes covered in Marram grass. Facing the clubhouse is a row of cottages and in-between is a small carpark and the practice facilities that include a driving range, a pitching and chipping green and a large, sloping practice putting green that sits on the path to the first tee. We had arrived in golfing heaven.

    Barn_4th_hole_1.JPG
    The par four 4th hole at Barnbougle Dunes

    And so, late on Friday morning, we played Barnbougle Dunes and what an experience it was. Superbly crafted golf holes unfurled across a landscape so perfectly suited to golf that one is suspended in an almost continual state of excitement and anticipation. The opening sequence of holes was as captivating as any I have played. By the time we had negotiated the superb fourth with its cavernous fairway bunker, made the turn past Reg's Hut for that famous walk along the beach to the fifth tee, I was so intoxicated with the golf I was in danger of losing my equilibrium.

    The highlights just kept coming. The tiny par three 7th known as Tom's Little Devil is a wonderful golf hole. Then there is the split fairway on the 8th, the mighty finish at the ninth, the exquisite short 12th, the enormous 13th green and so it goes on. Time and again the course makes a searching inquiry into your decision making and ability to execute shots. Some of my favourite moments were standing on tees in complete bewilderment as I considered the options and tried to decide how much to risk, which direction and what club to take.

    After golf we retired to dinner and drinks at the lovely Barnbougle restaurant, and set ourselves for tackling The Farm the next day. Whereas I had read and seen so much about The Barn, The Lost Farm was a mystery. My only preconception was my staunch determination not to compare the two courses.

    Saturday May 28

    Like its sister, The Lost Farm commences on some level terrain to reach the coast, so the first couple of holes build the anticipation as the dunes loom ahead. By the time we reached the 3rd, the assault commenced. A short par-4 with a small, tiered green sheltered in a dune. It appears innocuous from the tee, but the challenge is all at the green. This hole was a fearsome introduction to a stretch of holes played in and through some remarkable dunes in the links land.

    The 4th is a striking par-3 perched on top of the dunes overlooking a stretch of beach on Anderson Bay and looking back across the estuary towards Barnbougle Dunes. The 5th is one of the most intimidating holes on the course with a drive required to take on the corner of a huge dune on the right to have any chance of reaching the massively undulating green on this 400-metre par-4. The long, uphill 16th is a magnificent par three and one of the real feature holes of the course.

    The two "betting holes" were a great feature, with our group enjoying the extra couple of short par-3s in the round of 20 holes.

    The differences between Bill Coore's design of The Lost Farm and Tom Doak and Mike Clayton's Barnbougle Dunes means golfers have the good fortune of two distinct golf courses with differing flavours in the same superb location. Many of the landing areas at The Lost Farm are enormous (some of the biggest I have ever seen) and a number of the greens have such severe undulations that approach shots need to be near perfect for some pin positions to have a chance to two-putt, let alone make birdies.

    We played it on a still day with hardly a breath of wind and it was a stern test. Those less fortunate than us who encounter a stiff northerly blowing off Bass Strait will have a tough time playing to anywhere near their handicap. But that is not really the point of visiting these courses. One is almost obliged to strip the game to its simplest principles, ignore the limitations of par and simply play each shot and each hole on its merits in the conditions and according to your ability.

    Sunday May 29

    After a great Saturday night and a healthy exchange of opinions on the relative merits of the two courses, we teed off on Sunday morning to tackle The Barn once again. It was no less thrilling than the first day, although this correspondent ran out of legs on the closing holes. The dunes of Barnbougle claimed another victim as my game collapsed into the Marram grass!


    After golf we took some necessary refreshments in the clubhouse and then made our way to the airstrip for the flight home. Taking off in the long shadows of the dunes cast by the afternoon sun was a superb finish and a great chance to reflect on the weekend and the golf.

    As it happened, my determination before the trip not to compare the two courses was an impossible dream. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and despite my desire not to compare them, I could not hold back the tide of opinion.

    In the end, I indulged myself with a rather capricious position on the relative merits of the two courses and settled quite firmly on a preferred layout. But I am not going to reveal that here. It has rightfully been left behind somewhere over Bass Strait. If you want an opinion on which is the better golf course, you will need to go there and decide for yourself.

    As for me, I am not the sharpest wedge in the bag, but I am wise enough not to trust my own hasty opinions and unreliable first impressions. I am already planning my next trip so I can play both courses a second time and not compare them all over again.

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    Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm a deluxe treat at The Cash & Co Classic
    Jun 01, 2011

    The inaugural Cash & Co Classic (CCC) was held at Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm over the weekend of May 27, 28 & 29, 2011 and was a deluxe golfing experience for the 16 courageous and adventurous bushrangers who braved the treacherous waters of Bass Strait and ventured to Van Diemen's Land to contest the newest and the toughest title on the BRG event roster. The event was a 54-hole shootout played on two of the most superb and remarkable golf courses in Australia: The Barn & The Farm.

    2011_CCC_field_news.JPG

    Above we see the 2011 CCC field:

    Back: Sebastian Shand   
    Middle: Pete Russell, Brian Davis, Kevin Paton, Dave Judge, Liam Anderson, Ian Crotty, Shane Morris, Matthew Pitt, Brendan Vanderwerf, Warwick Stonehouse, Mark Henderson & Rob Lugton
    Front: Matthew Thomas, Roger Brown and Richard Fellner

    We took the deluxe option and flew down on Friday morning in private charter planes with Vortex Air. We stayed on course at Barnbougle Dunes and were treated to three glorious days of sunshine with hardly a breath of wind. We played Stableford on Friday at The Barn, Par on Saturday at The Farm and Stroke on Sunday back at The Barn. For all the event info, check out the 2011 CCC Results page, the 2011 CCC Program and the BRG Photo Galleries.

    In 2012, the CCC will be played on May 25, 26 & 27. We have booked a bigger planes this time and will have a field of 20 golfers. All golfers are welcome - if you wish to enter the event, simply contact matt (at) bushrangergolf.com.au to book your place in the field.

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    Inside Golf mag features article on planning your golf weekend by BRG
    May 04, 2011

    This month, our friends at Inside Golf magazine presented a feature on Great Aussie Golf Getaways with loads of great information on taking a golf trip in Australia. The feature included an article by Bushranger Golf founder Matthew Pitt entitled 10 things to remember when planning your golf weekend. We have reproduced a copy of the article below.

    10 things to remember when planning your golf weekend

    Inside Golf magazine - May, 2011

    Matthew Pitt, Bushranger Golf & Social Golf Australia

    The planning you put into your golf trip can make all the difference to how much fun your golfers have. It is important to look at all the elements you can control and plan accordingly to give your trip the best chance of success. The important factors to consider are who, where, what, when, how and why and then go from there.

    1. Your Golfers - this may seem obvious, but it is critical to consider what type of golfers you are catering for, what they want from the trip and then make your plans accordingly. Every golfer has their own idea of what is fun. Golf purists will want to walk 36 holes a day on classical links courses and mates on a leisure weekend may prefer 18 holes on a deluxe resort course in a cart with plenty of refreshments handy.

    2. The Venue - Pick the right venue to suit your golfer's needs. Consider the location, quality and style of the golf courses, location of accommodation, the size of the cart fleet, the quality of service and what other dining and entertainment options are near the courses. How far your golfers have to travel to reach the venue and at what cost can be a key element in the value proposition.

    3. The Timing - You need to avoid Mother's Day and Father's Day. Easter can be tricky and some public and school holiday times can be an issue. There are also local weather patterns - many Victorians enjoy a winter trip to the Gold Coast and Tasmania is calm in April, May & June but then gets plenty of rain in the Spring. Do a little research on the local weather before your plan the dates for your trip.

    4. The Budget - how much time and money do your golfers have to spend? A CEO who is time poor and cashed up may want a private jet for one round with three pals on an exclusive course and folks with more time and less coin may prefer two weeks touring country courses with a big group staying in budget accommodation. Consider also what you include in the ticket price - golf, carts, accommodation, travel, catering, prizes, gifts, drinks, transfers, etc. The inclusions you opt for have a big impact on the total ticket price and the perceived value.

    5. The Accommodation -Most golfers prefer to be on the course, or very close by. The other factors to consider are quality, price, availability, layout and proximity to other facilities and services. One of the best venues we have used is a lodge the sleeps 20 with common dining, sitting and living rooms. The community areas made for a very social environment between rounds and a great golf event.

    6. Course Condition - Nothing is more disappointing than being excited about playing a course and arriving to find the greens have just been cored and sanded. In you planning, inquire with courses about their maintenance schedules and courser works to check if this will impact on your trip.

    7. The  Competition - Are you even having one? Some trips are simply for the love of golf and there is no competition. Some mates enjoy a lot of side-betting on every round and some groups have an organised competition for the event. Consider your golfers when planning a competition - what do they want, what can they do, do they have handicaps and what will deliver the most fun for the most people? Your options include singles, pairs, teams of four, stroke, par, stableford, ambrose or a mixture of different formats.

    8. Prizes & Trophies - If you do have an event, you may require prizes and trophies. Don't forget to include these in your budget. You will also need a name for your event - preferably with some relevant history among your golfers and a good back-story. Perhaps the most important thing is a great Perpetual Trophy - this can add an extra dimension of excitement and prestige to your event if there is a glittering prize of intrinsic value. The event becomes a quest and this adds anticipation, excitement and glory to any golfing adventure.

    9. The Numbers - How many people are going on your trip? Whether it is 8 or 28 or more has a major bearing on all the other plans. What accommodation is available for a group of your size? How long will your field take to play? Do you use one-tee, two-tee or shotgun starts? How many are you catering for? What are the group discount rates at the golf courses? The more players there are the more complex a competition will be to run. When planning your event, start with how many golfers you plan to take.

    10. The Deposit - This cuts both ways: most courses will want a deposit to sure up your commitment and you should require a deposit from your golfers. Some golfers say 'yes' to everything but they are not committed until they have to reach fro their purse. Every event we have ever run, someone has pulled out. To help with your planning, ask your golfers for a deposit. This will weed out who is half-baked and help you finance the deposit your venues will require.

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    Bushranger Cup another ripping weekend & nail biting one shot margin
    Apr 06, 2011

    The weekend of April 1, 2 & 3 was another spanking good time as a swag of old-school Bushrangers and a sprinkle of new recruits lined up for their annual crack at the greatest prize in Australian Golf - The Bushranger Cup. It is the flagship event and the reason BRG was invented and it promises and delivers good times and thrills and spills every year.

    On Friday April 1, 28 incorrigible golfers saddled up on the front nine of the mighty Portsea Golf Club for the first round of the eighth Bushranger Cup and from the first hole it was mayhem. The BR Cup is an annual event played over 45 holes between teams of four that is undoubtedly the greatest social golf event in the world. This year, the BC was contested at Portsea, the wonderful Dunes Golf Links and the exciting Cape Schanck Golf Course that seems to always deliver some excitement with plenty of opportunities to make birdies and post a low score.

    This year saw all the usual pre-event manoeuvring with old partnerships broken, new marriages formed and thrills and spills in the mounting yard just before the field took flight. As is the case every year, all the teams were wildly talking up their chances and threatening to blow the tournament apart. Like every other year, to stay in contention, the teams had to navigate through the treacherous first nine holes of the weekend without imploding and this year three teams were virtually out of the hunt after the first day with the dunes, bunkers and tea-tree of the famous Portsea Golf Club scuttling a few of the more fancied teams within a few strides of leaving the starting gates.

    After a thrilling weekend, it came down to a three-way battle over the closing holes on Sunday at Cape Schanck. The Captain Moonlite Gang shot the round of the day (with an eagle and a chip-in for a stretch of five under in four holes at the turn) to move from third to be the clubhouse leaders as the final groups came in. In the penultimate group was The Aaron Sherritt Gang who needed a birdie to force the first ever playoff in Bushranger Cup history. They made the green in regulation and had about 12 feet of putt to make to force the playoff. Some of the putts were agonisingly close, but one by one they failed to drop and the Captain Moonlite Gang took the title by a single shot. Below we see the new champions, Matthew Pitt, Dave Warwick, Mick van Raay and Nick Honey soaking up the win after the presentation.

    2011_BC_Champs_news.JPG

    The leading teams and scores for 2011 were:

    Place

    Gang

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Rnd 4

    Total

    Par

    1st

    The Captain Moonlite Gang

    74

    68

    67

    61

    270

    - 14

    2nd

    The Aaron Sherritt Gang

    73

    71

    64

    63

    271

    - 13

    3rd

    The Canvas Town Mob

    71

    64

    72

    65

    272

    - 12

    For all the info on the event and the form guide on the players, read the 2011 Bushranger Cup Program and check out the 2011 BC results page which contains a link to a series of galleries with great photos of all the characters and the fun of his great weekend. The 2012 Cup has been set for the weekend of March 30 & 31 and April 1 on the Mornington Peninsula playing Rosebud Country Club and both the courses at Moonah Links. The next fun weekend away is the inaugural Cash & Co. Classic at Barnbougle Dunes on May 27, 28 & 29, then we have the 2011 Kelly Gang Shootout on July 23 & 24 at Tocumwal Golf Club and on the weekend of October 22 & 23 we repair to 13th Beach Golf Links for the mighty William Buckley Classic.

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    Inside Golf mag features 2011 Australian Social Golf Club Championships
    Mar 08, 2011

    The Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) operated by Bushranger Golf founder Matthew Pitt is featured this month in an article in Inside Golf magazine. The article profiles the growth of the ASGCC tournament since its inception in 2005. We have reproduced the article below. To see the article as it appeared in the magazine, click here for Australian Social Golf Club Championships continues growth in the March 2011 online digital edition of Inside Golf.

    Australian Social Golf Club Championships continues growth

    Inside Golf magazine - March, 2011

    Social Golf Australia (SGA) has announced more additions to the Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) to continue the tournament's growth as one of the most exciting and enjoyable events for Australian amateur golfers. Played on the Gold Coast from August 21-24, the event attracts golfers from around the country who enjoy their golf and the experience of playing in a professional tournament atmosphere.

    The event, which is supported by Golf Australia as an official National Championship, was founded by Palm Meadows in 2005 and is now in its seventh year. All golfers are welcome to play in the event, however only players with current official handicaps can compete for the great prizes and titles on offer. Matthew Pitt from Social Golf Australia says their goal is to deliver the best possible value and experience for those playing in the tournament.

    "The golfers at our event are generally people who relish the great challenge and tests that golf provides as well as having a laugh and enjoying the company of friends and fellow competitors on the golf course. Our event is really as simple as that: great golf and great fun."

    "Our golfers want to enjoy a holiday on the Gold Coast with their mates and partners and combine that with playing in a tournament on super golf courses and meeting new people from golf clubs around Australia. At the same time, they want to compete in an event that is their own national championship and in a format that gives everybody entered an equal chance to take home the title. Our job is to supply our golfers with a fun event that also has the credibility of an official national championship." said Pitt.

     
     ASGCC golfers celebrate at the 2010 event.

    "Each year we look for ways we can improve the event to add value and interest for our golfers. I have always laughed at the marketing double-speak of Same great taste, great new flavour, but that is exactly what we are trying to do. Retain the core elements of what has made the ASGCC a success for seven years and add refinements each year to improve the event."

    Since its inception, the ASGCC has been sponsored by the Radisson Resort Gold Coast and offered event participants the opportunity to access discount rates on accommodation and meals for the duration of the tournament. In 2010, the event introduced a fun four-ball ambrose event on the first day and over $300 of discount green fee vouchers for use at partner courses on the Gold Coast before and after the event.

    In 2011, the tournament will start and finish at the foundation course, Palm Meadows, with the middle rounds played at the superb Lakelands Golf Club and Robina Woods. There will also be an increase in the prize pool in 2011 to over $12,000 of prizes, trophies and giveaways with Drummond Golf joining as a sponsor and partner. Drummond Golf will supply in-store vouchers as prizes that can be redeemed in any Drummond Golf store around Australia. According to Pitt, the sponsorship adds great value for golfers at the event.

    "We have been delighted with the strong support from the Radisson as a foundation sponsor of the ASGCC. Wilson Staff and Heathcote Winery came on board in 2009 and with Drummond Golf joining as a sponsor this year, we know we have a very strong event model and we are confident our golfers will have another great year with us on the Gold Coast in August."

    Entry forms will be available in Drummond Stores around Australia from April. For more information and a PDF version of the entry forms, go to the Social Golf Australia website at www.socialgolfcc.com.au and follow the link to the ASGCC website or contact SGA directly on (03) 5433 3213. Inside Golf is proud to support the ASGCC and we will provide event coverage and results in 2011.

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    Family of our youngest BRG Member lose their home in Kerang floods
    Feb 05, 2011

    Bushranger Golf's youngest member, 11 year old Aaron Baulch, has evacuated with the rest of his family after losing the battle to save their home from rising flood-waters north of Kerang. Record flooding in Victoria's north and northwest in January devastated a number of communities with rising flood-waters affecting more than  60 towns and over 5,000 people with the Wimmera, Avoca and Loddon rivers at major flood levels.

    The Baulch's are fourth generation sheep farmers with a property on the banks of the Loddon River near Lake Charm. In January, flood-waters broke the levy banks on the Loddon River and the Baulch's fought to save the family home that had been built by Aaron's great-grandparents. After days of rising flood-waters, the levy around the house gave way and the Baulch's were forced to evacuate.

    aaronb.JPG

    It looks unlikely that the Baulch's will be able to return to their property for weeks, if not months. It is doubtful their home can be saved after flood-waters recede. Moreover, their land will not be productive again for at least two years. We will stay in touch with the Baulch's over the coming weeks and explore ways the BRG community can lend assistance to one of our own in this difficult time.

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    Australia's premier golf retailer, Drummond Golf, sponsors The SGA Tour
    Jan 10, 2011

    Bushranger Golf founded Social Golf Australia (SGA) in 2009 to operate the official golf tournaments and events we have developed. In essence, the situation now is that BRG is a club that provides official handicaps to golfers around Australia and SGA is the event manager that supplies the events for golfers to play and compete in. SGA also opens broader opportunities for us to develop national partnerships and sponsorships to deliver great value and offers to our golfers.

     SGA_100_logo.jpg    

    In 2011, Social Golf Australia has commenced a sponsorship agreement with Drummond Golf, Australia's premier golf retailer, that will see in-store prize vouchers included in the prize pools of all The SGA Tour events played in the five mainland capital centres this year. The vouchers are issued by Drummond Golf Head Office and are redeemable at any Drummond Golf store around Australia.

    Social Golf Australia and Drummond Golf are continuing discussions regarding a partnership that may include offering additional benefits to all golfers who join as Members of The SGA Tour and potential sponsorship of the State and National Social Golf Club Championships. For more information on the details of the agreement, go to the Drummond Golf page in the SGA Partners section of the SGA website.

    For over 30 years, Drummond Golf has been providing the world's leading golf brands at competitive prices to golfers of all level and age. Since the first store opened in Bendigo in 1974, Drummond Golf's dedication to customer service has lead to the expansion of a national network of stores. Today, Drummond Golf is Australia's largest off-course golf retailer with over 50 stores in all the States and Territories throughout Australia, carrying the largest range of golf equipment from the leading golf brands. All stores are owner operated and this guarantees quality service, expert knowledge, convenience and competitive pricing. Click here to locate your nearest Drummond Golf store.

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    Victory for Luggo in POY triggers clean sweep of the 2010 BRG Majors
    Dec 16, 2010

    Rob Lugton (aka Luggo) has created Bushranger Golf history with his unprecedented clean sweep of the Bushranger Golf titles and trophies in 2010. His win in the Player of the Year (POY) title sealed the deal for his grand slam of victories in BRG Major Titles this year.

    It all started with his wins in the team events at the 2010 Bushranger Cup, the Kelly Gang Shootout and the William Buckley Classic and some very solid late year from in the closing Handicap Days saw him jump to an unassailable lead in the POY points race. In December, he put the icing on the cake by sealing victory in the POY. After completing all 19 of the BRG events throughout 2010 that carried POY points, for the first time, the title did not come down to the final putt in the last group on the 18th green of the final event, as is usually the case.

    2010_POY_RL___Andy_Lee.JPG 

    Above we see Luggo receiving the POY Perpetual Trophy from our friend Andy Lee at the SGA Tour (Vic) 2010 Tour Championship at Kingston Heath on December 14. To see all the results for the 2010 POY, go to the 2010 BRG POY Results page.

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    The 2010 William Buckley Classic another nail-biter with 4th one shot margin!
    Oct 26, 2010

    The William Buckley Classic has now firmly established a reputation as one of the tightest events on the Australian golfing scene. For the fourth consecutive year, the result has been a single shot with the tournament being decided by the final putt on the final hole. The event is a 36-hole bonanza of golf and fun for teams of two played annually at venues around Port Phillip Bay.

    The event was held over the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of October 2010 and the venues were the St. Andrews Beach Golf Links on Saturday and Cape Schanck Golf Course on Sunday on the Mornington Peninsula. The pairs format had a new twist this year with 4BBB Stableford on Saturday and 2-ball Ambrose Stableford on Sunday.

    In a spectacular finish, the overnight leaders, Matthew Thomas and Rob Lugton, reached the 18th tee on Sunday having had their lead of four shots gobbled up by the field. Playing in the group ahead, John Lazzara and Andy Mac Feate, who had twice been runners-up in this event by a single shot, had teed off on the 18th with a one shot lead. And then all hell broke loose. The new leaders struggled on the 18th and posted a bogey and them Matt & Rob stormed home with a remarkable birdie on the final hole for a two shot swing to pinch the title by a single stroke. The leading scores were:

    Place

    Teams

    Day One

    Day Two

    Total

    Score

    1st

    Matt Thomas
    Rob Lugton

    47 points

    33 points

    80 points

    - 8

    2nd

    Andy Mac Feate
    John Lazzara

    42 points

    37 points

    79 points

    - 7

    3rd

    Dave Regenspurger
    Dave Amos

    38 points

    37 points

    75 points

    - 3

    4th

    Leo Ryan
    Wayne Ball

    39 points

    35 points

    74 points

    - 2

    5th

    Mark Henderson
    Aaron Couper

    43 points

    30 points

    73 points

    - 1

    For all the info and results, read the 2010 WBC Program & Form Guide and check out the 2010 WBC Results page. In 2011, the William Buckley Classic will return to the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads.

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    2010 Kelly Gang Shootout a great weekend of fun & games and brilliant golf
    Jul 27, 2010

    The 2010 Kelly Gang Shootout weekend on July 23, 24 & 25 turned into a three-day festival of fun as a horde of crazy Bushrangers rode into Cobram-Barooga with a wild plan to have a great time on the two wonderful golf courses at the Cobram Barooga Golf Club.

    We kicked off with a Handicap Day on Friday arvo in fine conditions on The West Course. A field of 20scoundrels lined up to play a Stableford event in preparation for the mighty KGS on the weekend. When the dust had settled on all the fun and the bit of golf that was played, Adam Rudd took the bikkies with 37 stableford points, closely followed by Dave Amos and Roger Brown tied on 35 points. For all the details and a link to the event gallery, check out the July 23 Handicap Day Results.

    Once the Handicap Day fun was done, the field dismounted for a quiet Friday evening to prepare for the first round of the KGS. Things were helped along by The Fridge who brought along his private Texas Hold 'Em table and the bushrangers who are disposed to playing some poker for matchsticks got into a good early rhythm that set the tone for the whole weekend.

    Somewhere in amongst all the frivolity, a golf event got played. After a brilliant first day The Beechworth Boys (Matthew Thomas, Rob Lugton, Mick Van Raay & Ian Crotty) had put a gap in the field, but things slowed down for them on the Sunday and a swooper came from the field to make things interesting. The Frosty Beveridges shot the best round on Sunday to come flying home and close the gap to just two shots at the finish. The leading 2010 KGS teams and scores were:

    Place

    Team

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    R3

    Total

    Par

    1st

    The Beechworth Boys

    69

    68

    71

    208

    - 8

    2nd

    The Frosty Beveridges

    71

    74

    65

    210

    - 6

    3rd

    The Benalla Burglars

    70

    73

    72

    215

    - 1

    To read all about what happened and for links to the galleries, go to the 2010 KGS Results page. The KGS weekend is also the biggest influence on the outcome of the Victorian BRG Player of the Year. Roger Brown has taken the lead by a single point from John Potter and 2008 POY, Matthew Thomas who are two points in front of 2009 POY Richard Fellner. The next BRG weekend event is the mighty William Buckley Classic on the weekend of October 23 & 24. Check out the 2010 WBC Prep page for event details. The event is open to all golfers who enjoy a fun weekend of golf, so get your swag packed and your Contact us to get yourself entered in what will be a great fun golf event.

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    Bushranger Golf featured & profiled in June edition of Inside Golf Magazine
    Jun 07, 2010

    Bushranger Golf is featured this month in an article in Inside Golf magazine, Australia's golf news leader. The article profiles the growth of BRG as an event manger and Golf Access Australia handicap provider. We have reproduced the article below. To see the article as it appeared in the magazine, click here for Bushranger Golf gets the nod from Aussie Golfers in the June 2010 online digital edition of Inside Golf.

     Bushranger Golf gets the nod from Aussie Golfers

    Inside Golf magazine - June, 2010

    Australia's largest and fastest growing Social Golf Club, Bushranger Golf, has continued its expansion with sustained growth in membership numbers and the foundation of Social Golf Australia as an event management enterprise to supply services to golfers around Australia.

    Bushranger Golf is a national Social Golf Club that has partnered with Golf Australia to offer Golf Access Australia handicaps to golfers all around the country. According to founder Matthew Pitt, the growth has been surprising and it has been a challenge to keep up with demand.

    "We have just welcomed our 700th member to the club and we are now averaging a new member every day. Since issuing our first handicap in 2007, we have allocated over 220 handicaps to members all around Australia. Many golfers who have never been in a club environment are enjoying the chance to play with an official handicap and a lot of people have made the transition from holding their first handicap with us to becoming golf club members."

    2007_Bushranger_Cup_scoring.JPG
    Bushranger Golf founder Matthew Pitt (centre) tabulates scores at a BRG event

    One of the features of a GAA handicap is the inclusion of Golf Australia's Personal Insurance Plan (PIP). Golfers are covered for minor injuries and emergency transport, death or disability and loss of income, theft, damage or loss of golf clubs and personal liability coverage for up to $20,000,000 for third party personal injury or damage to property. According to Pitt, the insurance offering has been a key feature for handicap applications.

    "All our members with handicaps enjoy the security that the PIP offers and we have had one golfer who had no interest in holding an official handicap, but inquired as to whether he could obtain a handicap simply for the insurance coverage. There is no doubt that the extra security of having the PIP attached to the GAA handicap is a great benefit."

    Bushranger Golf was established in 2004 when Pitt organised a trip for 18 friends to Cobram-Barooga on the Murray. They contested the first Bushranger Cup, a social event designed to be bandit-proof and to get mates together for a fun weekend. After the second Cup in 2005, Pitt was approached by a web developer about establishing a website.

    "bwired offered us the opportunity to start a business and www.bushrangergolf.com.au was born. A number of our guys were interested in handicaps so I sat the test with the VGA and became a qualified handicapper and started running our club events as official golf events with results on GOLF Link. In partnership with Golf Australia, we came up with the idea of making handicaps available to golfers around Australia. They need to be a member of the club (which is free to join) and once they are, we can allocate them a handicap."

    As membership grew and more people around the country applied for handicaps, Pitt realised the club needed to supply more opportunities for golfers to play in official events and competitions.

    "We established Bushranger Golf events and we also founded a State Championship for Social Golf Clubs with the support of Golf Australia. However, as an event manager and a club, we found we had created a potential conflict when our teams entered the events to compete against other social golf clubs. So last year we established Social Golf Australia (SGA) as a new entity to operate the Social Golf Club Championships. What has evolved is a situation where Bushranger Golf is a club that supplies official handicaps around Australia and Social Golf Australia is the event manager that manages the events we operate."

    To this end, in 2010 SGA has partnered with the Tour Fore Golfers to establish a new event series called The SGA Tour. In essence, it is merging the idea of a social golf club with the sort of tour that professional golfers play. With support from Wilson Staff, SGA is operating separate tours in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and SE Queensland and plans to launch a Tour in Adelaide in 2011. According to Pitt, the golfers have embraced the SGA Tour.

    "Participation in the Tour events is growing in every State and a number of our events have booked out. Anyone can play in the Tour events, whether or not they have a handicap and our golfers have the choice of a variety of courses at competitive prices, which is what the social golf club model has always offered. Our goal is to foster a community of like-minded golfers and deliver great value in terms of the prize pools. In addition, we provide the event management on the day and follow up with results and Order of Merit standings on the websites."

    The SGA Tour events are scheduled every two to three weeks and golfers simply choose which events they wish to enter. Inside Golf is proud to support the new Tours and we will provide regular information. Visit www.sgatour.com.au for information, entry details and the full SGA Tour event schedules for each State.

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    Bushranger Golf member plays Augusta National the day after the Masters
    Apr 14, 2010

    A Bushranger Golf member has infiltrated the inner sanctum of the second-most auspicious and exclusive golf club in the world and cracked a game at Augusta National Golf Club on the day after the US Masters. On Monday this week, the 2005 Bushranger Cup Champion, Dom Wall, wandered into the club established by Bobby Jones and teed off for a leisurely 18 with the course in tournament condition. He then ripped things up a little with lazy 84 off the beater.

    Augusta_12th_green.jpg

    Above we see Dom on the famous green of the par three 12th hole with Hogan's Bridge in the background. He said it was the most perfectly manicured and exquisitely presented golf course he had ever seen or played, but no match for a Bushranger Cup Champion in good form.

    "The course seemed so familiar, like I had played it many times - probably all those hours in front of the telly every April! The greens were certainly scary fast, but it was only severe on the downhill putts. If you got the ball below the hole, the uphill putts were nowhere near as intimidating." 

    But Wall left no doubt about what means more to him and kept things very much in perspective.

    "I have definitely never seen a course in such perfect condition and it is the most impressive course I have ever played. It is certainly the second-most exciting moment in my golf career. Playing this course was a great privilege, but, let's be honest, nothing compares to winning a Bushranger Cup. I am proud to be the first person to achieve such an exclusive double of playing Augusta National and winning a Bushranger Cup. Hopefully I am the first of many who are fortunate enough to do both."*

    Augusta_16th_tee.JPG

    Above we see Dom teeing off on the famous par three 16th hole where he stuck it to five feet. Below we see him in happier times at Tocumwal Golf Club celebrating his mighty 2005 Bushranger Cup win with team mates Saddam, Crocko and Bastros.

    05_Champs450.jpg

    Following his Augusta sojourn, our man has a very busy schedule with plans for a game at St. Andrews in July when the Open Championship is on before perhaps popping back to Australia to tee it up at Cobram-Barooga where the 2010 Kelly Gang Shootout will be played on July 24 & 25.

    It is rumoured that Augusta National may have made a discrete approach about establishing a reciprocal rights agreement with Bushranger Golf. We are considering entering discussions regarding this proposal, although we may have to overlook the small detail that BRG does not have a golf course.

    * Ed's note: Whereas many thousands of people have played Augusta National, only 22 people have ever won the Bushranger Cup, which gives a clear indication of which the most exclusive achievement of the two.

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    Bushranger Cup funny as hell again & Cpt. Melvilles take title without their # 1
    Mar 23, 2010

    The weekend of March 19, 20 & 21 was another spanking good time as a swag of old-school Bushrangers and a sprinkle of new recruits lined up for their annual crack at the greatest prize in Australian Golf - The Bushranger Cup. It is the flagship event and the reason BRG was invented and it promises and delivers good times and thrills and spills every year.

    On Friday March 19, 28 incorrigible golfers saddled up on the Cups Course at The Dunes for the first round of the seventh Bushranger Cup, an annual event played over 45 holes between teams of four that is undoubtedly the greatest social golf event in the world. This year, the BC was contested at The Cups, the mighty Legends Course at Moonah Links and the exciting Cape Schanck Golf Course that seems to always deliver with plenty of opportunities to make birdies and post a low score. As is now the custom, the field repaired to the superb Views Resort at Cape Schanck to relax between rounds.

    This year there was more pre-event manoeuvring than ever before with old partnerships broken, new marriages formed and thrills and spills in the mounting yard just before the starter took charge of the field. More than any other year, just about every team was wildly talking up their chances and threatening to blow the tournament apart. They were all way wrong, with one of the toughest and tightest Cups we have ever seen, and, according to this shabby correspondent's calculations, there were still six teams well and truly in contention with just a handful of holes to play.

    In the end, the championship was decided with a birdie-birdie finish and you could have thrown a blanket over the field as they crossed the line with just five shots separating the top six teams. When the dust had settled and the photo-finish was examined, it was The Captain Melvilles that was victorious and jubilant to be hoisting the Bushranger Cup. Below we see the Melvilles (Sebastian Shand, Rob Lugton, Richard Fellner & Ian Crotty) enjoying receiving the greatest prize in Australian social golf - The Bushranger Cup.

    2010_Champs_news.JPG

    In a tragic twist, this was a team purpose-built to deliver the Cup to one of the few original Cuppers yet to win the title - the indomitable Willo. Alas, he failed to pass a fitness just just days prior to the Cup and had to make a late withdrawal - a tragedy for him as he was one of a handful of Bushrangers who had played every Cup. Alas, it got worse with his team saluting without him there to share the glory. Willo took it with good humour and has assured us that he will be back next year to win his first of many Bushranger Cups. The leading teams and scores for 2010 were:

    Place

    Gang

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Rnd 4

    Total

    Par

    1st

    The Captain Melvilles 

    59

    72

    69

    65

    265

    - 15

    2nd

    Friends of Mad Dog Morgan

    70

    67

    67

    63

    267

    - 13

    3rd

    The Captain Moonlite Gang

    60

    66

    71

    71

    268

    - 12

    For all the info on the event and the form guide on the players, read the 2010 Bushranger Cup Program (link available soon) and check out the 2010 BC results page which contains a link to a series of galleries with great photos of all the characters and the fun of his great weekend. The 2011 Cup has been set for the weekend of April 1, 2 and 3 on the Mornington Peninsula. The next fun weekend away is the 2010 Kelly Gang Shootout on July 24 & 25  at Cobram Barooga.

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    First changes to the golf handicap system rolled out in early April 2010
    Feb 17, 2010

    From 9 April 2010, the new method used to calculate Australian handicaps (for both men and women) will be rolled out. GOLF Link will be offline from 9:00am Wednesday April 7 until 9:00am Friday April 9 while the changes are made. When the system is back online for events this weekend, a new formulae will be in place for calculating handicaps.

    According to Golf Australia, the new system can be explained in one sentence: Your exact handicap will be the average of the best 10 differentials (differential = gross score - AMCR/AWCR) of your 20 most recent valid scores, the result of which is multiplied by 0.96 and then truncated to 1 decimal point.

    They claim this system (called the 'Rolling Sample' Handicap Calculation Method) is a much more straightforward process than the current incremental calculation system. It is the first step of several on the way to full adoption of the USGA's handicap system.
     
    GOLF Link, which manages the handicaps across Australia, has also posted a Q&A Page on their website, which answers many of the common questions that golfers have been asking throughout the last year.

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    Members of Bushranger Golf included in Social Golf Australia offers
    Jan 23, 2010

    As we commence the new golfing year, it is timely to reflect on some of the current development and plans for Bushranger Golf (BRG). Now in its fifth year, Bushranger Golf continues to grow around Australia. We have just welcomed our 650th member and we now have more than 140 members who hold current official GAA handicaps through the club.

    In 2009, we founded Social Golf Australia (SGA) to operate the official golf tournaments and events we have developed. As BRG is a social golf club and some of our members compete as club representatives in the tournaments we have established, we decided that for the integrity of the events, they needed to be operated by a separate entity - hence the foundation of SGA.

    In essence, the situation now is that BRG is a club that provides official handicaps and SGA is the event manager that supplies the events for golfers to play and compete in. However, we have also recognised that SGA opens broader opportunities for us to develop national partnerships and sponsorships to deliver great value and offers to our golfers. 

    SGA_100_logo.jpg  

    As such, we include all our Bushranger Golf members in our Social Golf Australia database to receive our e-newsletters. Soon we will send an SGA newsletter to promote our premier annual event, the 2010 Australian Social Golf Club Championships. We trust our members enjoy the newsletters we send and that some of the offers we have are of interest and value. Those not wishing to receive the newsletters can simply hit unsubscribe and we will remove them from the database.

    As we are including BRG members in the SGA database, we think it is pertinent to point out the importance we place on our privacy policy. We have received offers to sell our database and we will never do this - we are committed to upholding the privacy of our members. We will promote sponsors offers to you through our newsletters and at events, but will not release contacts details. We will endeavour to deliver great value to all our golfers as we continue to grow and we hope, as always, you are enjoying your golf. If you have any suggestions or feedback, we welcome your input. Feel free to give us a call or send us an email.

    Best regards and good golfing,

    Matthew Pitt

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    Handicap Days on both sides of the continent decide 09 POY winners!
    Dec 14, 2009

    The two Bushranger Golf Player of the Year Awards were fought out yesterday on either side of the continent in two very different sets of circumstances. In Perth, it was a foregone conclusion with James Pickering going into the final event with an unassailable lead in the inaugural WA Player of the Year race. Like the leader in the Tour de France, he saddled up for the final stage with a glass of champagne in hand and let the sprinters battle it out for the glory on the final straight of a marathon that he already had in the bag. He kept himself out of trouble in the middle of the peloton and let the field squabble over the stage honours before he hopped on the podium and to accept the biggest prize in the western hemisphere of Australian social golf.

    Back east however, there were nails being bitten down to the cuticles as the final foursome teed off in the last Victorian Handicap Day at Goonawarra Golf Club to play out the end-game of the Victorian BRG Player of the Year. After 11 months of competition played on courses from Rye to Rich River, the four players in the final group all had a chance to win what is arguably the most prestigious Club Championship prize in Australian Social Golf (on the eastern seaboard at least). Defending Champion Matthew Thomas (Thommo) teed up in the final group with Big Dave Regenspurger (The Hamburglar), Richard "Quigley" Fellner and Massive Mick Van Raay, aka "Da King". Indeed, it was mathematically possible that all four could tie and share the title. 

    After a ferocious battle throughout the 18 holes, the players had an excruciating wait for the final results to be tabulated to learn the outcome of the POY. In the finish, just a solitary point separated the top three players and Quigley, with his scorching round of 41 points, jagged a tie for third place on the day which was just enough to scramble the extra point he required to tie with the Hamburglar in the 2009 POY. Below we see the new club champions (Rich on the left & Dave on the right) after the presentation with the BRG Vic POY Perpetual Trophy constructed by our own Arbeige using the weapon kindly donated by Laurie Mueck. Also in shot is a heap of the booty on offer including lashings of BRG Shiraz and vouchers from BRG sponsors the Hawthorn Suites at 13th Beach.

    2009_POY_winners_news.JPG

    For the second year running the POY was not decided until the final putt was holed on the final hole. If Quigley had taken one more shot he would've been tied for second in the POY. As it was, the two were left tied at the top of the table and, with no count-backs for the POY title, they share the award as the best Victorian Bushrangers for 2009. Neither of them had won any of the major tournaments through out the year and this meant that in 2009 we finished with different winners in the Bushranger Cup, the Kelly Gang Shootout, the William Buckley Classic and the POYs. In total, 13 players have collected major awards and no one saluted twice. Our major winners in 2009 were:

    2009 Bushranger Cup: Mike David, Brett Simpson, Steve Foxwell & Terry Robinson.
    2009 Kelly Gang Shootout: Gavan Doran, Neil Hocking, Roger Brown & Paul Lambe.
    2009 William Buckley Classic: Mick Van Raay and Michael Mileo.
    2009 VIC Players of the Year: Richard  Fellner & Dave Regenspurger.
    2009 WA Player of the Year: James Pickering.

    In other news, BRG stalwart Richard Mitchell won the last Victorian Handicap Day and Rob Lugton took out 2nd place to finish fifth in the POY. To read all the dirt on what went down and to check out the gallery of images from the day, go to the December 13 Handicap Day Results page. The next thrilling Victorian Handicap Day is on Sunday January 17 at Yering Meadows.

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    Bushranger Roger Brown a real life hero in dramatic Gold Coast surf rescue!
    Nov 12, 2009

    Bushranger Golf founding member Roger Brown found himself the focus of media attention on the Gold Coast earlier today after saving a drowning man from the surf.

    Holidaying in Queensland this week, Roger was with his family on a Gold Coast beach today when he saw three people caught in a rip and struggling. The swimmers were not between the flags and realising the lifesavers had not seen them, Roger grabbed a surfboard and paddled out through the rip. The first person he reached was a man who was in serious trouble and had gone under the surface. Roger dragged him onto his board and brought the man back to the beach.

    Roger then went back out to look for the other swimmers. By this time, the local surf rescue had arrived and Roger was joined in the surf by a local surf lifesaver. Fortunately, the other two swimmers had been able to get outside the rip, find a sandbar and had made their way back to shore. When Roger returned, the man he had saved was being attended by local lifesavers.

    According to Roger it was pretty hairy there for a minute.

    "They were all pretty crook, coughing up sea water and looking a bit ordinary. After I knew they were ok, I was heading back up the beach to find my family when these TV crews rocked up from channel nine and channel ten. They wanted to interview me about what had happened. I told the woman from channel 10 I had hat hair and I might not come up too well on the telly but she didn't seem to mind. They reckon it will be on the news on both channels tonight but we are taking the kids to Seaworld this arvo so I don't know if we'll get to see it."

    The man we know as Arbeige has a massive reputation for his heroics on the golf course and maintaining a level head in pressure situations, but he took that to another level today. If we had a Bushranger Golf Most Courageous Hero Award, he would certainty be a major contender, but we don't, so he will have to settle for a beer with mates after the next game of golf and having a new story to tell about the time he was a real life hero.

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    Above left is Roger with regular partner in crime on the golf course, Mike David, after their second, and dare we say heroic, win in the William Buckley Classic. Roger will be available for autographs regularly after golf and will no doubt conduct some surfing clinics and a series of seminars on how to deal with your hat hair when bailed up by TV crews after saving someones life.

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    Results at St. Andrews Beach event opens Vic POY race to a 4-way tie!
    Nov 09, 2009

    The penultimate Victorian Handicap Day for 2009 was at St. Andrews Beach Golf Links on November 8. It was a great day and a thrilling result has turned the race for the 2009 Victorian BRG Player of the Year into a promoter's delight with a grandstand finish a certainty at the final event on December 13 at Goonawarra Golf Club in Sunbury. With one event to play carrying points for the POY, four players are still in contention and it is a realistic possibility that we could finish with a four-way tie for the award.

    Yesterday at 9:30am, the field teed off in the 11th Victorian Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2009 with Dave Regenspurger leading the POY closely followed by 2008 winner Matthew Thomas. Breathing down their necks but needing some points to catch up were Richard Fellner, Mick Van Raay, Rob Lugton and Ian Crotty. As it happened, this chasing quartet filled the top four places on the day and vaulted up the POY leader-board. Rob and Ian made great ground but are just a little too far back to claim enough points in the final event to pinch the title. However, Richard and Mick, having finished first and third this week, are now one point behind our leader Dave. Matt is lurking another two points further back - three behind Dave.

    But here is the twist - Dave can't make the final event on December 13 at Goonawarra, so he can't add to his tally! If Richard and Mick play, they will each get an entry point and we will have a three way tie in the lead for the POY. For either of them to edge ahead of Dave, they need to beat their 6th best score in their event points tally. Mick's 6th best score is 6 points, so he needs 7 or more points to add to his total which means he needs to place equal fourth or better at the final event. Richard's 6th best score is 7 points, so to add to his total he needs to place equal third or better at the final event. If neither of them do this, they will be left tied with Dave and all three of them will share the title.

    Confused? But wait, there's more - you better strap yourself in. The final sting in the tail is Matt Thomas. He is three points behind Dave, but with an entry point in the last event he will need two placing points to equal Dave and three to get ahead of him. However, his 6th best score is just 4 points which is equivalent to a 7th place finish. So, if Matt finishes tied for 5th, he will equal Dave and if he finishes tied for 4th or better, he will edge ahead. If Matt finishes 5th and Mick and Richard finish below him, we could have a four-way tie for the 2009 Vic BRG Player of the Year! Somebody call the trophy shop as we might need a gaggle of POY trophies locked in the safe at Goonawarra.

    To see the results from the Handicap Day and a link to the gallery, go to the Nov 8 BRG Handicap Day Results page and for the latest standings in the POY and to comb through all the numbers, check out the Vic Player of the Year page. Below we see Richard enjoying the spoils of victory after the presentation with a bottle of Bushranger Shiraz and some golf balls courtesy of Rob Lugton who kindly donated some excess pills for prizes.

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    Hole in one at Bushranger Golf Handicap Day the first ace in a BRG event!
    Oct 24, 2009

    A little before noon on Friday October 23, a group of 23 golfers got together  for the tenth Victorian Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2009 on The Beach Course at 13th Beach Golf Links. The event was a prelude to the mighty William Buckley Classic being held over the weekend at the same venue. The group teed off in perfect conditions for golf with the temperature around 20 degrees and a very light breeze. The greens were very fast and provided a great challenge for all players throughout the day. Unless of course the player elected not to use their putter!

    This is exactly what Brett Shemmell chose to do on the par three 7th hole on the Beach Course. The hole was playing around 140 metres with a slight breeze off the ocean moving shots a little from left to right. He struck a sweet 7-iron that worked back slightly on the breeze, covered the flag-stick all the way, landed on the front portion of the green and then tracked obediently into the cup - no need for the putter at all!

    Brett_ace_on_the_7th_at_13th_Beach.jpg

    Above we see Brett happily collecting his shot from the cup with playing partner Jean-Max Joly looking on. According to his mates, the shot was somewhere between "a perfect stroke that never looked like missing" and "pure luck that was more arse than class!" Whatever the case, Brett now has a hole-in-one in an official competition round - the first ever in a Bushranger Golf event. We have posted his achievement in our Ace, Eagle and Albatross Register in The Campfire and we will ensure his ace is recorded in the Australian Edition of the Official Hole-in-One Register. The Register aims to list all aces scored in Australian competition (professional and amateur) to recognise those fortunate golfers who have found the cup with a single blow.

    And for Brett, the fun didn't end there with his eagle on the 7th carrying him to second place overall on the day. To see all the results, go to the Oct 23 BRG Handicap Day Results page. Below we see Brett enjoying the photo shoot after the presentation with a bottle of Bushranger Shiraz and a golf ball certainly not dissimilar, if not completely identical, to the one he had his hole-in-one with.

    Brett_ace_news.JPG

    Click here to check out the Gallery of Photos from the Handicap Day at 13th Beach.

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    Bushranger Golf partners with Tour Fore Golfers for events in Queensland
    Aug 31, 2009

    Bushranger Golf has formed an event partnership with the Tour Fore Golfers. Founded and operated by David Rushmore, the Tour is an amateur golf tour played on the best courses in South East Queensland that has developed into a community of social golfers brought together by a shared passion for golf who enjoy friendly competition and the camaraderie shared through golf.

    TFG_80_logo.jpg

    The principles underpinning the establishment of The Tour and the operation of their events is very similar to Bushranger Golf and the Handicap Days we have founded in Victoria and Western Australia. Most of the events are official competitions with results on GOLF Link to allow players to maintain their handicaps.

    Established in late 2007, the Tour offer golfers of all levels an affordable golfing alternative with flexibility and choice. There are no expensive membership or nomination fees -  golfers can simply pay as they play and compete for fantastic prizes on a regular basis. By making large group bookings, the Tour is able to secure discounted green fees for their players. Rather than establish a new event series in Queensland, we have decided to partner with David and the Tour and encourage our QLD members to get involved in the events and the friendly golfing community the Tour has to offer.

    Bushranger Golf is proud to be associated with David and The Tour, we encourage all our members to participate in David's Tour events and we will continue to work together to develop and deliver golf events that deliver enjoyment and value to all golfers. Keep an eye on the list of upcoming events on the BRG homepage and just click on an event for entry details.

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    2009 Kelly Gang Shootout a massively fun weekend of laughs and ridiculosity!
    Jul 20, 2009

    The 2009 Kelly Gang Shootout weekend on July 17, 18 & 19 turned into a three-day festival of fun as a horde of crazy Bushrangers rode into Moama intent on having a great time on the two wonderful golf courses at the Rich River Golf Club. We kicked off with a Handicap Day on Friday arvo in fine conditions on The West Course (the Old Course). A field of 15 scoundrels lined up to play a Stableford event in preparation for the mighty KGS on the weekend. Sadly, expectant father and past KGS Champion, Mikey Dee, could not make the weekend. The craziness got off to a flying start as his mates The Rose and Arbeige (below) got busy taking self-portraits to text to Mike that not only captured their true feelings for their absent friend, but also reflected their creative, physical, artistic, culinary, cosmetic and intellectual prowess.

    Crazy_1.JPG Crazy_2.JPG Crazy_3.JPG

    When the dust had settled on all the fun and the bit of golf that was played, Scott Wilson had scorched clear of the field with 43 stableford points, closely followed by BRG impresario Pw Jones and fellow founding member Richard Fellner. Below are some of the leading scores. For all the details and a link to the event gallery, check out the July 17 Handicap Day Results.

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    1st

    Scott Wilson

    43

    4th

    Mick Van Raay

    38

    2nd

    Matthew Pitt

    40

    = 5th

    Dave Regenspurger

    35

    3rd

    Richard Fellner

    39

    = 5th

    Wade Jones

    35

    Once the Handicap Day fun was done, the field dismounted for a quiet Friday evening to prepare for the first round of the KGS. On Saturday morning, things started to get unusual before the first nut had even been struck when, during the group portrait sessions, Crocko produced his baboon's arse. Below are Wado, Davo, Crocko and Kingo on the first tee on Saturday. Who would've thought these two pairs would go on to shoot the two best rounds of the day?

    Monkey_1.JPG

    Monkey_2.JPG

    Monkey_3.JPG

    And if that wasn't enough, every other screwball loony started getting in on the act.

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    By the time we got to Sunday morning (below), things had started turning a little Sgt Pepper.

    Sgt_Glenrowan.JPG

    Sgt_Stringybark_Creek.JPG

    And somewhere in amongst all the absurdity, a golf event got played. With three teams within three shots of the lead after day one, it was all set for a big final round and a thrilling finish. In the end, it was The Beechworth Boys (Gav Doran, Roger Brown, Neil Hocking and Paul Lambe) who swooped from third place to the top of the podium to take the title. They shot the lights out on the Sunday in the four-ball ambrose as they posted the equal lowest round of the day off the stick. This was a super score considering they were the team with the highest combined handicaps. The leading 2009 KGS teams and scores were:

    Place

    Team

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    R3 H/cap

    R3 Gross

    R3 Nett

    Total

    Par

    1st

    The Beechworth Boys

    69

    72

    6

    66

    60

    201

    - 15

    2nd

    Stringybark Creek Freaks

    66

    72

    0

    66

    66

    204

    - 12

    3rd

    The Glenrowan Hacks

    71

    67

    0

    69

    69

    201

    - 9

    To read all about what happened and for links to the galleries, go to the 2009 KGS Results page. The KGS weekend is also the biggest influence on the outcome of the Victorian BRG Player of the Year. Matthew Thomas has held onto his lead for the time being, but as the only player to have scored in six events, the field is about to start reeling him in. The next BRG weekend event is the mighty William Buckley Classic on the weekend of October 24 & 25. The next big event on the horizon is the second 2009 qualifier in the Victorian Social Golf Club Championships from midday on Sunday August 2 on The Beach Course at 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads. The next Vic BRG Handicap Day is an official individual Par event from midday on Saturday August 15 at Hidden Valley Golf and Country Club in Wallan. For all your golf event needs, keep an eye on the BRG Event Schedule.

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    Prize pool in 2009 Social Golf Club Championships reaches over $50,000
    Jun 18, 2009

    Social Golf Australia (SGA) has announced that the total prize pool in their 2009 series of official Social Golf Club Championships has reached over $50,000. In the first step to link the State Championships with the Australian Championships (the ASGCC), the prizes in all 2009 State Championships will include over $20,000 of discounts into the 2010 ASGCC.

    When this is combined with the existing prize pool in the State and Australian Championships, the total value of prizes in 2009 for all the events is now over $50,000. SGA is grateful for the support of event sponsors Wilson Staff (Dx2 Soft golf balls), Inside Golf magazine, Palm Meadows, Lakelands, Robina Woods and Radisson Resort Gold Coast, the Hawthorn Suites, the 13th Beach Golf Links, the Golf Clearance Outlet and Heathcote Winery who have all made generous contributions to the prize pool.

    In the Victorian (VSGCC), New South Wales (NSW SGCC) and Queensland (QSGCC) State Championships, the four members of the winning team will each receive a voucher for a $500 discount on their entry into the 2010 Australian Championships. In addition, every entrant in the Vic, NSW & QLD State Finals will receive a voucher for a $50 discount on their entry in the 2010 Australian Championships. Note that vouchers cannot be combined so individuals with multiple vouchers may only redeem one voucher (the voucher of the highest value). This means the breakdown of the total 2009 prize pool is:

    • ASGCC - $15,000
    • VSGCC - $15,000
    • QSGCC - $10,000
    • NSW SGCC - $10,000

    As the 2009 NSW & QLD Championships are one-day events this year, every entrant will receive the $50 ASGCC voucher. Those in Victoria will have to work a bit harder by gaining entry into the Vic Final through one of the four qualifiers. The 28 teams of four in the Victorian Final win their place by finishing as one of the top seven teams in one of the four qualifiers. There are only three qualifiers left and the next one is on the highly rated Beach Course at the 13th Beach Golf Links on Sunday August 2.

    SGA was established by Bushranger Golf founder Matthew Pitt to manage the network of official Social Golf Club Championships. For more information, visit www.socialgolfcc.com.au. To enter the events, go to the SGCC How to Enter pages (VSGCC How to Enter page here) or contact Tournament Director Matthew Pitt at Social Golf Australia via the SGA contact page or on (03) 5433 3213.

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    Bushranger Cup and April Handicap Day a Mike Dee clean sweep & fun for all
    Apr 20, 2009

    The weekend of April 17, 18 & 19 2009 was a golfing bonanza on the Mornington Peninsula with three dazzling days of golf played on four wonderful golf courses. Our Bushrangers enjoyed two events that were both played in great conditions that were a whole lot of fun for all involved.

    On Friday April 17, 15 hardy bushrangers fronted for the fourth Victorian Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2009 at The Dunes Golf Links. The sun shone and the breeze barely blew, setting up a most enjoyable day and plenty of low scoring in the first ever Par event we have held. After sixteen holes, two players (in different groups) were locked together on plus 3 to set up a thrilling finish. Then BRG founding member and human-highlight-film, Mikey Dee (aka Michael David), took hold of the event by scoring pluses on the last two holes to race away to a three shot win. Below we see Mike admiring his work as he watches the flight of his approach shot on the difficult par four 8th hole.

    Dee_news.JPG

    Richard Fellner took out second place and Shane Roberts held out Warren Birchall by one shot for  third. All four players improved their position in the 2009 Victorian BRG Player of the Year and Warren is the new leader having got away to a flying start by scoring points in all four Handicap Days so far this year. The leading results are below, or go to the April 17 Handicap Day Results page for all the details of the day and a link the event gallery.

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    1st

    Michael David

    5

    4th

    Warren Birchall 

    0

    2nd

    Richard Fellner 

    2

    = 5th

    Steve Foxwell

    - 1

    3rd

    Shane Roberts 

    1

    = 5th

    Adam Rudd

    - 1

    Once the Handicap Day was done, most of the field saddled up on the Cups Course at The Dunes for the first round of the 2009 Bushranger Cup, an annual event played over 45 holes between teams of four that is undoubtedly the greatest social golf event in the world. This year, the BC was contested at The Cups, Cape Schanck and Eagle Ridge golf course and the field repaired to the Sunset Views Lodge at Cape Schanck to relax between rounds.

     The event was an absolute thriller with the championship decided with a birdie on the final hole and, for the second year in a row, just one shot separated the winners and runners-up. At the finish, it was Mikey Dee making a clean sweep of the weekend by leading his team, The Stringybark Creek Freaks, to a wonderful win over the most valiant and courageous Aaron Sherritt Gang. Below we see the Freaks (Terry Robinson, Steve Foxwell, Michael David & Brett Simpson) enjoying receiving the greatest prize in Australian social golf - The Bushranger Cup.

    09_BC_champs_news.JPG

    The leading teams and scores were:

    Place

    Gang

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Rnd 4

    Total

    Par

    1st

    Stringybark Creek Freaks

    61

    69

    60

    63

    253

    - 25

    2nd

    The Aaron Sherritt Gang

    57

    62

    65

    70

    254

    - 24

    3rd

    The Canvas Town Mob

    58

    66

    66

    68

    258

    - 20

    For all the info on the event, read the 2009 Bushranger Cup Program & Form Guide (link available soon) and check out the 2009 BC results page. The next BRG event is the fifth 2009 Victorian Handicap Day at Growling Frog Golf Course from 9:30am on Saturday May 9. For more info, keep an eye on the Event Schedule and the Handicap Day  page. The next major event for 2009 is the first qualifier for the Victorian Social Golf Club Championships on Saturday May 23 at Eynesbury Golf Course.

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    Golf Australia reduces to 3 the number of cards for handicap calculation
    Mar 03, 2009

    Golf Australia (GA) have announced that the Australian handicapping system will be altered and the number of cards required to obtain and retain a golf handicap will be reduced to three.

    The GA Handicapping & Course Rating Committee has stipulated that as of Wednesday April 1 2009, when a male or female player has returned three eligible score cards, they can be allocated an Australian Handicap. GA notes that any stipulated Extra Day or competition round of between 9 and 18 holes inclusive returned on any course with an Australian Course Rating will be acceptable for this purpose (subject to the normal additional conditions a club may place on Extra Day Scores).

    Furthermore, all handicap records will be examined at January 1 each year, at which time all scores more than a year old will be disregarded, being no longer valid. The remaining scores will be considered "live scores". For a player to retain an Australian Handicap they must have at least three "live scores" in their handicap record.

    GA is continuing to work towards having in place unified methodologies for men's and women's handicapping and to strive to achieve regulations which provide for handicapping which is as equitable as possible. GA also states that other recent changes to the handicapping system include:

    • Stipulated rounds of 9-17 holes inclusive will have the same status as an eligible score returned from a stipulated round of 18 holes.
    • For an Extra Day (or ad hoc) Score to be considered eligible, it must be marked by a female or male member of any golf club or golf association recognised by Golf Australia, or by a person otherwise approved by the club committee.
    • The maximum Australian Men's Handicap is now 36.4. If a male with an exact handicap of 36.4 returns a net score which is worse than the course rating, the handicap on their official handicap record will remain at 36.4. Official Club Handicaps beyond 36.4 will not be permitted.

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    How to get involved to help the victims of the 2009 Victorian bushfires
    Feb 10, 2009

    The bushfires in Victoria this week have been a profound tragedy that have affected so many families and devastated a number of communities. Many people have lost their homes, their friends, their families.

    We are aware of a number of members of our community of Bushranger Golfers who have had a close run with some of the fires and several who are involved in fighting the fires and lending a hand to the victims. If you know of a BRG member who has been directly affected, please Contact Us so our community can take some action together to help one of our own in their time of need.

    Red Cross Bushfire Appeal

    The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal to assist individuals and communities affected by devastating bushfires in Victoria has been launched by the Victorian Premier John Brumby in partnership with Australian Red Cross and the Federal Government. To lend a hand to help the victims of the Victorian bushfires, you can make a donation via the Australian Red Cross by clicking on the image above.

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    1st 2009 Bushranger Golf Handicap Day played in hot & thirsty conditions!
    Feb 01, 2009

    The first Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2009 was held in the middle of the heatwave that has been ripping through south eastern Australia in late January. 17 tough Bushrangers braved the heat and teed up from 8:30am yesterday at Eynesbury Golf Course, the venue for the Final of the 2008 Victorian Social Golf Club Championships (VSGCC). Below we see BRG stalwart Warwick Stonehouse hitting a pitch into the green on the challenging par four 2nd hole.

    Jan_31_HD_News.JPG

    The conditions remained manageable with the help of breeze that picked up early in the afternoon and took the edge of the heat. Unfortunately, it also took the heat out of the scoring with more than a few Bushrangers stumbling on the back nine after making a promising start to the round. 

    		 Eynesbury_61.bmp

    When the dust settled, only one player managed to break par. It was John Hearne in first place and daylight second after he posted a super 42 stableford points. Boldly storming home six shots further back was 2007 Bushranger Cup Champion Michael Nolan. In the third place there was a logjam with four players tied on 34 stableford points: Warwick "Boo" Stonehouse,  Mark Gemmola, Shane Roberts and Stephen Wright. The leading results are below and the standings for the 2009 BRG Player of the Year have been updated.

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    1st

    John Hearne

    42

    = 7th

    Warren Birchall

    32

    2nd

    Michael Nolan

    36

    = 7th

    Neil Hocking

    32

    = 3rd

    Warwick Stonehouse

    34

    9th

    David Regenspurger

    31

    = 3rd

    Mark Gemmola

    34

    10th

    Matthew Pitt

    30

    = 3rd

    Stephen Wright

    34

    11th

    Ian Crotty

    26

    = 3rd

    Shane Roberts

    34

    12th

    Louise Tornerhielm

    24

    Nearest the Pin: 8th hole

    Michael Nolan

    Longest Drive: 16th hole

    Tim Shannon

    1st Place Prizes:
    A bottle of Bushranger Shiraz  
    Three Bushranger golf balls
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher 

    		2nd Place Prizes:
    A bottle of Bushranger Shiraz     
    A Bushranger golf ball
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher 
    3rd Place Prizes:
    Bushranger golf ball
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher     		 Nearest the Pin & Longest Drive:
    A Bushranger golf ball
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher

    For all the results, go to the January 31 2009 Handicap Day Results page.

    The next BRG event is the 2nd 2009 Victorian Handicap Day at Waterford Valley Golf Course on Sunday February 22 from 9:50am. For more info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the Event Schedule. For entry details, go to the Handicap Day  page.

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    BRG & VSGCC form Social Golf Australia to run Australian & State SGC Championships
    Jan 20, 2009

    The owners of the Victorian Social Golf Club Championships (VSGCC have formed Social Golf Australia (SGA), a new golf event management business, to run the event. The reasons for this are twofold:

    1. What started as a single State Championship in Victoria is now rapidly evolving into a national network of Social Golf Club Championships, which requires a broader management and operational structure.

    2. The VSGCC was founded by Bushranger Golf (BRG), a social golf club that has expanded into event management. At the inaugural VSGCC in 2008, BRG was in the unusual position of being both the event manager and a club with entrants in the event. Given the potential for the appearance of a conflict of interest this represented, it was evident the situation should be addressed.

    With the success of the inaugural VSGCC in 2008, event founder (and BRG principle) Matthew Pitt was offered the opportunity to manage the annual Australian Social Golf Clubs Championship (ASGCC). Founded in 2005 at Palm Meadows, the event attracts social golfers from around Australia to the Gold Coast every August to compete for the national title.

    In addition, Golf Queensland expressed interest in developing a State Championship for social golfers based on the VSGCC model. The details of the inaugural Queensland Social Golf Club Championships (QSGCC) are still being finalised. It will be a one-day championship held in Brisbane in November 2009 with plans to expand the event in 2010. Negotiations are also underway with the NSW Golf Association to develop a NSWSGCC in 2009.

    SGA aims to develop a national network of Social Golf Club Championships, supported by the game's governing amateur bodies, to determine the country's top social golf clubs each year. Managing the National Championship in 2009 has created the opportunity for the various State titles form a pathway of entry into the national event by bringing together the best teams from each state championship to compete for the national title.

    SGA is currently working with web developer bwired to expand the VSGCC website at www.socialgolfcc.com.au to become the home of SGA and the hub for a network of websites for the Championships. Each event will have its own website and each site will contain event information and entry details. The new websites will be launched by March 2009. SGA is also proud to acknowledge Inside Social Golf magazine as the event's major media partner.

    SGA will endeavour to create Championships every social golf club can take part in and enjoy, and hopes the new Championships will be embraced by social golf club members around Australia.

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    POY & final Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 08 a battle to the last hole!
    Dec 15, 2008

    The 11th and final BRG Victorian Handicap Day at Yarra Bend on Saturday December 13 provided a nail-biting (and nail-chilling) finale to the 2008 Bushranger Golf Player of the Year (BRG POY). After 11 months of competition played on courses from Rye to Tocumwal, four players teed off in the final group with a chance to win what is arguably the most prestigious Club Championship prize in Australian Social Golf. Indeed, it was mathematically possible that all four could tie and share the title.

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    The day was beset by brutal weather with persistent rain throughout that formed the backdrop for what was to be a most dramatic finish to the POY title. Above we see a moist vista of the picturesque par four 12th green - the Hominator is playing out of the green side bunker whilst his friend the Cowboy appears to be taking a rest break but is probably just looking for a ball in the rough. After nine holes, one of the contenders, Ian Crotty, was completely swamped by the conditions and gracefully bowed out of the race. Although Big Mick Van Raay was building a solid round, as the day wore on it was clear that his competitors at the top of the POY race were not falling away and he was not going to be able to gain enough points to catch them. On the closing holes he knew he was slipping out of the frame.

    And so the final group came to the final hole with Dave The Hamburglar Regenspurger coming from behind in the POY race, needing to make up a couple of points on leader Matthew Thomas. Standing on the 18th tee, Dave had built a buffer of a few shots over Matt and knew he needed to finish the round ahead of his rival. As it happened, Matt made a gutsy par on the par five 18th and Dave stumbled after playing the best first 17 holes of any player in the field. The pair finished locked together on nett even-par 70s for the day - great rounds in the torrid conditions that had them finish in equal second place.

    They weren't to know it on the course, but in the final analysis, Matt won the Player of the Year award by a single point and if Dave had played one shot better, or Matt one shot worse, they would have finished tied on points and shared the title. It all came down to their final putts on the last hole of the ultimate event of the year. Below we see the happy champion Matt Thomas at the presentation with the weapon kindly donated by Laurie Mueck that will be the foundation of the new BRG Vic POY Perpetual Trophy, which is currently on the drawing board with Arbeige. Matt is also holding his commemorative one-off BRG Shiraz and vouchers from BRG sponsors the Golf Clearance Outlet and The Hawthorn Suites at 13th Beach.

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    In other news, Wade Jones won the 11th Handicap Day and new member John Hearne was also tied with the two leading POY contenders for second place. Paul Bryce took out the Nearest the Pin and Dave Regenspurger luckily edged out the massive Pw Jones to take the Longest Drive prize. To read all the dirt on what went down and to check out the gallery of soggy photos from the day, go to the December 13 Handicap Day Results page. The next thrilling Victorian Handicap Day is on Saturday January 31 at Eynesbury.

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    Team from Bushranger Golf wins 08 Social Golf Club State Championship
    Nov 24, 2008

    On Saturday November 22nd, The Thunderbolts from Bushranger Golf took out the inaugural Victorian Social Golf Club Championships (VSGCC) in wild conditions at the highly rated Eynesbury Golf Course west of Melbourne. Thunderstorms were forecast, the wind was gusting at over 40 km/h, rain squalls were persistent, hail fell and lightening was seen in the distance and threatened to suspend play. The conditions were certainly a stern test of the fortitude, skill and spirit of the social golfers who fought it out for the inaugural VSGCC title.

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    On a day that served up a smorgasbord of meteorological excitement, 83 golfers set out playing in 21 teams representing 14 social golf clubs from around Victoria. Scoring was so tough that not one player in the field managed to play to their handicap. An indication of the difficulty of the conditions was that the CCR for the day came out at four over par, the maximum permitted, and it would've been six over had the Australian handicapping system allowed for it. Below we see Dave Duncan (Nunawading SGC) watching Brian Davis (Segafredo Bakery) putt in the wind while team mate Rohan Dawkins tries to remove the flag on the par four 6th hole.

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    Eynesbury Golf Course is one of the five foundation courses that have partnered to host the VSGCC in its inaugural year. After the event, David Roche, the Director of Golf at Eynesbury, said: "These were some of the toughest conditions we have had."

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    "We were fortunate that a storm cell with lightening activity passed to the south of us. What was remarkable was the way the players handled it - they took the conditions with a grain of salt and remained in very good spirits throughout. It was a testament to the character of the social golfers playing in this event and we certainly look forward to continuing our involvement with the VSGCC in the future."

    With just 10 points separating the top 10 teams, the results were close and count-backs were needed to separate 3rd & 4th, 7th & 8th and 9th & 10th. The top seven teams received prizes and these places were filled by teams from seven different clubs. In the finish, it was the aptly named Thunderbolts from BRG that managed the conditions the best by posting a team score of 91 stableford points with a very even team performance from three players and one blinder. Matthew Thomas from BRG shot the lowest individual round of 35 stableford points to lead his team of Thunderbolts to the win. Adip Kumar shot 34 points to help Melbourne Airport One to second place and Paul Lambe of Brumby Spikes shot 32 points to get his team into fourth place, just missing a spot on the podium to Laverton Park One on count back.

    The new state champions took their team name from Captain Thunderbolt, a gentleman Bushranger famous for his good nature and courtesy to his victims. Below we see the winning team, Dave Regenspurger, Michael Mileo, Matthew Thomas & Louise Tornerhielm, having a ball at the Championship presentation having just received the VSGCC Perpetual Trophy.

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    They were deserving winners as they arguably worked harder than any other team. Three of the members played a practice round together during the week and Matt Thomas took two days off work in the week of the event and played the course on two separate days. Dave Regenspurger was the first at the course on Saturday morning and spent over 90 minutes warming up before the round. The hard work paid off and it seems they have set the bar high for the sort of effort required for teams to claim the VSGCC title in the future. Below are the results for the leading seven teams that won prizes in the 2008 VSGCC Final: 

    Place

    Team

    Players

    Scores

    Total

    1st

    BRG Thunderbolts

    Matthew Thomas
    Michael Mileo
    Dave Regenspurger
    Louise Tornerhielm

    35
    28
    28
    27

    91

    2nd

    Melbourne Airport 1

    Nizam Ali
    Adip Kumar
    Abid Ali Hussain
    Abdul Rahman

    20
    34
    28
    26

    88

    3rd

    Laverton Park 1

    Michael McMahon
    Dave Vail
    Dean Sharland
    Brian Packwood 

    30
    30
    26
    25

    86

    4th

    Brumby Spikes

    Ian Pritchard
    Paul Davies
    Paul Lambe
    Gavan Divola

    25
    25
    32
    29

    86

    5th

    Brunswick SGC

    David Puddefoot
    Gade Balaz
    George Zahara
    John Moore

    28
    27
    29
    nsr

    84

    6th

    Segafredo Bakery

    Shane Morris 
    Kris Mueck
    Rohan Dawkins
    Brian Davis

    28
    27
    28
    25

    83

    7th

    Fairway SGC

    Gavan Steward
    Paul Steward
    Gerard Rolfs
    John Keating

    26
    26
    30
    26

    82

    Besides winning the inaugural State title, the new champs picked up prizes from sponsors Golf Clearance Outlet, Heathcote Winery and Fantom golf balls from Bozgolf and Vision. The cherry on top was the major prize of a stay-and-play package for 12 people at Hawthorn Suites & 13th Beach Golf Links that they won for all their club mates to share. ALl the BRG members who played in the 2008 VSGCC will be eligible to share in the shared discount on the next trip to 13th Beach for a weekend event which will be the 2009 William Buckley Classic. In total, more than $11,000 worth of prizes were hauled away by the lucky participants at the qualifying rounds and the final, including prizes donated by our major media partner Inside Social Golf magazine.

    The winners also qualified for a discounted entry into the 2009 Australian Social Golf Clubs Championship (ASGCC) held every August on the Gold Coast. The VSGCC is currently involved in discussions with Palm Meadows, The Radisson Gold Coast and the ASGCC organisers to link the events and create a pathway each year for VSGCC winners into the National Championship. The top ten individual results in the 2008 VSGCC Final were:

    Pos

    Player

    Team

    Pts

    1st

    Matthew Thomas

    BRG Thunderbolts

    35

    2nd

    Adip Kumar

    Melbourne Airport 1

    34

    3rd

    Paul Lambe

    Brumby Spikes

    32

    4th

    Andrew Watson

    Reserve Bank SGC

    31

    5th

    Steven Eskildsen

    Nunawading SGC

    31

    6th

    Paul Braybrooke

    BRG Buckleys

    31

    7th

    Richard Fellner

    BRG Ball Tearers

    31

    8th

    Dave Vail

    Laverton Park 1

    30

    9th

    Ian Crotty

    BRG Melvilles

    30

    10th

    Gerard Rolfs

    Fairway SGC

    30

    Longest Drive: 5th hole

    Gavan Divola

    Nearest the Pin: 8th hole

    Louise Tornerhielm

    Longest Drive: 10th hole

    David Vail

    Nearest the Pin: 15th hole

    David Regenspurger

    To see all the results and links to the galleries, go to the 2008 VSGCC Final Results page.

    Thanks also to  bwired online solutions for their assistance in developing the event website, Hacker golf magazine for their support of the championships and Golf Development Performance Services (GDPS)  for their help developing the event.

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    Vic POY race is down to 4 at the final Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for '08
    Nov 17, 2008

    The tenth Victorian Handicap Day at Settlers Run on Sunday has thrown the competition for the inaugural Bushranger Golf Player of the Year (BRG POY) title wide open. Two of the main POY contenders, Matt Thomas and Ian Crotty, tied for second place to each receive nine points and vault up the POY standings. Their high finish has recast all the permutations for the POY and it looks like the greatest Club Championship prize in Australian Social Golf will come down to the wire in its inaugural year.

    Matt Thomas has now edged into the lead, just two points ahead of Dave Regenspurger who has been leading the field since July when he struck gold in Tocumwal with wins in Handicap Day #6 and the Kelly Gang Shootout. Sitting clear on top, Matt & Dave look like they will be battling it out for the title at the final Handicap Day at Yarra Bend on December 13. Dave the Hamburglar is only two points behind, so needs to finish first or second to edge Matt outright, or third to tie with him and share the title, provided Matt does not add to his points tally with a finish of fourth place or better.

    Behind them, two old-school Bushrangers, are lurking in the shadows and still have a mathematical chance of winning the title. Da King, (aka Big Mick Van Raay) is five points behind Thommo and needs a win to pinch the title outright, or a second place to share the award with Matt, provided the current leader does not add to his points tally. In fourth place is another founding member, Ian Crotty ? the best he can do is win the final Handicap Day to tie with Matt and hopefully share the title.

    It is worth noting that if players finish on equal points, they share the POY title. With such a close race, it is theoretically possible that we could have a four-way tie if the results of the last Victorian Handicap Day play out a certain way. If Crotty wins, Van Raay comes second, Regenspurger third and Thomas finishes fifth or worse, all four will be tied on 65 points and share the inaugural title. To spice things up, these four will play together in the final group in the final Handicap Day. It will be a riveting round of golf and Bushranger Golf is currently negotiating with all the reputable television networks to sell the broadcast rights.

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    In other news, Louise Tornerhielm won the day at Settlers Run to claim her second 10 points for the year. Above we see Louise on the podium after the round, flanked by Ian Crotty (third) and Matt Thomas (second). She also made a mockery of that old blokey ockerism, you hit it like a girl, by smashing a monster ball to take out the Longest Drive prize for the day. Early POY leader Warwick Stonehouse put up a strong fight to stay in the race. He finished fourth on the day and also took out the Nearest the Pin prize.

    To read all the dirt on what went down, go to the November 16 Handicap Day Results and Gallery page. The final thrilling Victorian Handicap Day of the year is from 8:30am on Saturday December 13 at Yarra Bend public golf course. It will be followed by an informal BBQ near the course where we will celebrate a very enjoyable year of golf and make the presentation the new Player(s?) of the Year. All are welcome to enter and come along and make it a fun day and a thrilling finish to the Bushranger Golfing year.

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    First WA Bushranger Golf Handicap Day is launched by social golfers in Perth!
    Nov 02, 2008

    Bushranger Golf (BRG) has run its first Handicap Day outside Victoria with a stableford event at Burswood Park Public Golf Course in Perth. This year, BRG had discussed with Golf Australia (GA) a model for running remote competitions where BRG appoints a Club Delegate to return the scores to BRG for the results to be entered in an official competition on the GOLF Link system. GA has supported the concept and, given that so many Western Australian golfers have taken up GAA Affiliate Golf Handicaps through Bushranger Golf, Perth was the obvious first choice to run our inaugural Remote Competition.

    We contacted our Perth members for feedback on preferred venues and times and then booked the first two WA Handicap Days for November and December 2008. Bushranger Golf reserves tee times at venues and players are required to pay a $5 surcharge to BRG to cover the administration time for booking the events and managing the competitions and scores on GOLF Link. So far we have received a very positive response and we plan to book a Handicap Day every month in 2009 at courses in and around Perth.

    On November 1st 2008, nine hearty golfers lined up on a sunny Saturday at Burswood Park for the inaugural BRG WA Handicap Day. To see the results and to read more about Handicap Days in Perth (inc the terms and conditions), go to the WA Handicap Day page. In 2009, we are also planning to run a Western Australian Bushranger Golf Player of the Year (WA BRG POY), similar to the Victorian BRG POY model that has been run for the first time this year. 

       

    As WA is a big place, we are restricted to organising WA Handicap Days in and around Perth at this time. The second WA Handicap Day has been booked for Sunday December 7 on The Old Course at Wembley Golf Complex. To book to play, or if you have any feedback, questions or suggestions, please contact Matthew Pitt at Bushranger Golf on (03) 5433 3213 or Contact Us via the website feedback form and we will reply by email.

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    William Buckley Classic & Oct Handicap Day a great Bushranger weekend!
    Oct 27, 2008

    The last weekend in October turned into a golfing bonanza on the Mornington Peninsula with three dazzling days of golf on three superb courses, two events that were both won on the final hole and a whole lot of fun for all involved. On Friday October 24, 18 sturdy bushrangers fronted for the ninth Victorian Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008 at The Dunes Golf Links. The sun shone and the breeze barely blew, setting up a most enjoyable day and plenty of low scoring in the strokeplay event. Below we see Michael Mileo, Liam Anderson & Mick Van Raay in the sun on the picturesque ninth green.

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    At the finish, a count-back was required to separate the three players tied with scores of nett 3-under 69. Mark Gemmola took the bikkies, Liam Anderson jagged 2nd and BRG stalwart and BRG Player of the Year contender Warwick Stonehouse was third. The leading results are below, or go to the Oct 24 Handicap Day Results page for all the detail of the day.

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    1st

    Mark Gemmola

    69

    4th

    Michael Mileo 

    70

    2nd

    Liam Anderson

    69

    5th

    Michael David

    71

    3rd

    Warwick Stonehouse

    69

    6th

    Roger Brown

    72

    Once the Handicap Day was done, most of the field repaired to the Sunset Views Lodge at Cape Schanck to relax and prepare for the 2008 William Buckley Classic, a 36-hole social golf event for teams of two played annually at venues around Port Phillip Bay. This year, the WBC was contested at Cape Schanck & the Legends Course at Moonah Links. The event is two-player ambrose stableford, a format that delivers close results and for the second year in a row just one shot was the difference between the winners and runners-up.

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    At the finish, Roger Brown and Michael David (above with the Murrangurk Perpetual Trophy) triumphed for the second year running to become the first ever Bushrangers to win back-to-back titles in a BRG Major Championship. The leading teams and scores were:

    Place

    Teams

    Day One

    Day Two

    Total

    Score

    1st

    Arbeige & Mikey Dee

    41 points

    42 points

    83 points

    - 11

    2nd

    Hamburglar & Thommo 

    40 points

    42 points

    82 points

    - 10

    3rd

    Crotman & The Duck

    40 points

    40 points

    80 points

    - 8

    4th

    Funky J & Stolzy

    39 points

    40 points

    79 points

    - 7

    5th

    Boo & Nugget

    43 points

    34 points

    77 points

    - 5

    For all the info, read the 2008 WBC Program & Form Guide and check out the 2008 WBC Results page. In 2009, the William Buckley Classic will return to the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads. The next BRG event will be the 10th Handicap Day for the year at Settlers Run Golf Course on Saturday November 16 from 9am. For more info, keep an eye on the Event Schedule and the Handicap Day  page.

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    8th 2008 Bushranger Golf Handicap Day shifts the BRG POY leader board!
    Sep 22, 2008

    On Sunday September 21, the eighth Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008 saw 10 players earn BRG Player of the Year (BRG POY) points and bunched up the leading contenders at the top of the POY leaderboard. The top seven in the POY race are still realistic contenders for the inaugural title and, with four events remaining, everyone down to 13th place still has a mathematical chance of winning. The Sandy Handy Day featured another sparkling field as rogues came piling out of the woodwork to sample the pleasures of sandbelt golf with a round at the Sandringham Golf Links. A field of 26 teed up in an individual  strokeplay event to compete for a swag of great prizes, including some Bushranger Shiraz and the new Bushranger Viognier Chardonnay, courtesy of Heathcote Winery.

    The conditions were fine and sunny but more than a few Bushrangers struggled to score consistently on the challenging greens at Sandy. For the third consecutive Handicap Day, we had a tie for first place and required a countback to decide the winner. When the dust had settled in the scorer's hut, the last man standing was old-school Bushranger Nick Honey who just pipped Louise Tornerhielm after they both shot rounds of nett 4-under 66. They were the only two players to break par - Ian Crotty slipped comfortably into third place with a round of nett 73, Dominic Wall took fourth place and sauntering into fifth was local boy Big Mick Van Raay whose points vaulted him into second place in the BRG Player of the Year race.

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    Above we see the winner, aka The Hominator,  lining up his putt on the green of the par-four 16th hole with Arbeige and The Big Fella marking their balls near the pin. The leading results are below and the full results and a selection of incriminating photos are available on the September 21 Handicap Day results page.

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    1st

    Nick Honey

    66

    6th

    Geoff Harrison

    76

    2nd

    Louise Tornerhielm

    66

    = 7th

    Scott Wilson

    77

    3rd

    Ian Crotty

    73

    = 7th

    Richard Fellner

    77

    4th

    Dominic Wall

    74

    9th

    Paul Bryce

    78

    5th

    Mick Van Raay

    75

    10th

    Warwick Stonehouse

    79

    Longest Drive: 9th hole

    Mick Van Raay

    Nearest the Pin: 10th hole

    Warwick Stonehouse

    The next BRG event is the 10th Handicap Day for the year at The Dunes Golf Links on Friday October 24 from midday. It will be part of the lead-up for the third annual William Buckley Classic being held that weekend on the Mornington Peninsula. For more event info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the Handicap Day  page or check out all the Bushranger Golf events for the year on the 2008 BRG Event Schedule.

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    Inside Social Golf offers free subscriptions to all clubs entering VSGCC!
    Aug 31, 2008

    Inside Social Golf, Australia's # 1 golf publication, has offered a free subscription to all social golf clubs that enter the Victorian Social Golf Club Championships (VSGCC). Every club that has a team or teams enter the VSGCC is eligible to receive a free ongoing subscription of 25 copies per month of the magazine that is written exclusively for social golfers. They will also cover the results of the VSGCC events and publish photos of the winners at the qualifiers and the final.

    Bushranger Golf has contacted all the existing VSGCC entrants to make this offer available and entry forms for the VSGCC all now have the option to choose to receive this great offer and to supply a mailing address where the magazine is to be delivered.

    Sam Arthur, publisher of Inside Social Golf, said, "We are delighted to be involved with and to support the VSGCC. A state championship for social golf clubs is long overdue and we look forward to assisting the event to grow and develop for many years to come."

    In other news, Bushranger Golf made a visit to the Gold Coast last week to check out the fifth annual Australian Social Golf Clubs Championship (ASGCC). The event is played over four days every August and was decided last Wednesday at the Palm Meadows golf course. The gala awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Resort Gold Coast where 27 teams from around Australia had come together to play off for the title of National Social Golf Club Champion for 2008.

         

    BRG is currently involved in negotiations with the event promoters to foster links between the VSGCC and the ASGCC in the hope that our 2008 state champions will have exclusive entry into the 2009 national championship.

    Keep an eye on our news items for more info as it comes to hand. In the meantime, make sure you get a team together soon to enter the 2008 VSGCC. Two qualifiers have been run and 14 teams are now qualified for the final. With only 14 places remaining in the final, competition will be tight in the final two qualifiers on Friday September 12 (The Dunes) and Sunday October 12 (The Beach Course at `13th Beach). To enter, go to the VSGCC page to download an entry form or simply call Bushranger Golf on (03) 5433 3213.

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    2nd 08 VSGCC Qualifier a 3 way count back for 1st place at Waterford Valley
    Aug 18, 2008

    The 2nd 2008 VSGCC Qualifier was held on Saturday August 16 and eleven hearty teams set out in fickle conditions at Waterford Valley Golf Course to fight it out for the second set of seven places in the 2008 VSGCC final. There were periods of glorious sunshine interspersed with rainy squalls rolling over the Dandenongs to keep the field on its toes. At the finish, three players tied on 38 points for the best individual round of the day - Dave Regenspurger, Matthew Thomas & Louise Tornerhielm.

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    In a bizarre twist, they all happened to be on the same team, so although the contest for the individual honours was tight, The BRG Thunderbolts blew the field apart to win the team event by a massive 17 shots. After the countback for individual honours, it was Dave Regenspurger who came out in front, having the best back nine of the three. It was a great comeback for the man they call The Ham, as he had blown up on the back nine on the same track one week earlier and copped heaps for it. Playing a BRG Handicap Day on August 9, he had a brilliant front nine and had the bikkies all but sown up before dropping his bundle. It would have made this win all the sweeter for him, although it meant consecutive second place finishes beaten on countback for Matt Thomas. Perhaps he subscribes to the theories of Tom Weiskopf, the man who jagged one British Open and five second-place finishes in majors, who once said, "I am absolutely delighted to have come second. Who cares about winning when you can be second? I love being runner-up!"

    Ironically, the fourth member of the Thunderbolts recorded the worst individual score of the day, so they bookeneded the field with the best and worst scores, but as only the top three out of four scores count towards the team score, the one low score had no impact. The rest of the field was much more tightly bunched. Whereas there was 17 shots between first & second, the same margin of 17 sots separated second & last place. In the individual event, only 11 points separated the top 33 place-getters in a field of 44. The top five team results were:

    Pos

    Team

    Players

    Scores

    Total

    1st

    The BRG Thunderbolts

    Dave Regenspurger
    David McAdam
    Louise Tornerhielm
    Matthew Thomas

    38
    14
    38
    38

    114

    2nd

    Laverton Park One

    Michael McMahon
    Dave Vail
    Dean Sharland
    Justin Rando

    32
    33
    32
    22

    97

    3rd

    Nunawading SGC

    Dave Duncan
    Noel Tuck
    Kevin Oulton
    Steve Eskildsen

    29
    35
    31
    29

    95

    4th

    Bushranger Golf Six

    Rob Birnie
    Andy MacFeate
    Paul Toll
    Michael Toll

    29
    30
    35
    27

    94

    5th

    Fairway SGC

    Gavan Steward
    Paul Steward
    Gerard Rolfs
    John Keating

    29
    34
    27
    30

    93

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    Above we see the winning team, The BRG Thunderbolts, wallowing in the glory of their win. They are: Matthew Thomas, David McAdam, Dave Regenspurger & Louise Tornerhielm. The top 10 individual results were:

    Pos

    Player

    Team

    Pts

    1st

    David Regenspurger

    BRG Thunderbolts

    38

    2nd

    Matthew Thomas

    BRG Thunderbolts

    38

    3rd

    Louise Tornerhielm

    BRG Thunderbolts

    38

    4th

    Noel Tuck

    Nunawading SGC

    35

    5th

    Paul Toll

    BRG Six

    35

    6th

    Wayne Baseden

    Glenvale Cricketers

    35

    7th

    Paul Steward

    Fairway SGC

    34

    8th

    Dave Vail

    Laverton Park One

    33

    9th

    Mark Blashki

    Gumtree Estate

    33

    10th

    Murray Brown

    Laverton Park Two

    32

    Nearest the Pin: 5th hole

    Peter Stokes

    Longest Drive: 15th hole

    Campbell Wilson

    To see all the results, go to the 2008 VSGCC Q2 Results page.

    The Gallery of images from the day is here.

    The event featured a swag of great prizes totalling over $1600, including in-store vouchers from The Golf Clearance Outlet, Vision golf balls powered by Fantom and great vino from Heathcote Winery. Thanks also to the Hawthorn Suites & 13th Beach Golf Links for their contribution to the overall prizes and bwired online solutions for their assistance in developing the event website that will be launched very soon. In addition, we are grateful for assistance from Golf Development Performance Services (GDPS) and our media partners Inside Social Golf magazine and Hacker golf magazine for their support of the championships.

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    7th 2008 Bushranger Golf Handicap Day another tie requiring a count back!
    Aug 11, 2008

    After all the drama of the three-way-tie in the sixth Handicap Day in Tocumwal last month, it has happened again this week. In a thrilling finish, Ian Crocko Crotty has taken the bikkies in the seventh 2008 Bushranger Golf Handicap Day held on Saturday August 9 at Waterford Valley Golf Course in Melbourne's east. After a morning of clear skies, conditions toughened up as the day wore on and the scores reflected this with many of the competitors posting much better numbers on the front nine than on the inward journey.

    However, while the rest of the field was backing up, Crocko starting firing up over the closing stages storming through five of the last six holes in one-under par off the stick before a little hiccough on the 18th. Fortunately, history did not repeat, for it was at this venue 12 months ago that Crocko had one hand on the prize before imploding over the final holes to give away the win. This time he tied with Matthew Thomas on 37 stableford points, but took the win on countback by virtue of his superior back nine after Thommo scorched the front for 23 points and then struggled home with 14 on the back half.

    However, it was Thommo's playing partner and current BRG Player of the Year points leader David The Ham Regenspurger who set a new benchmark for inconsistent sets of nine holes. He came out of the blocks firing with two birdies in the first three holes and shot two-over off the stick on the front nine for a massive 26 stableford points. Looking a certainty to stitch up the win and lock away the inaugural BRG POY title, The Ham then went into nuclear meltdown. He doubled the 10th & 11th and then crumbled into a frenzy of three-putting to score only 8 points on the back nine. The cherry on top came on the difficult 18th where he negotiated all the trouble to hit the island green in regulation before putting off the green and into a bunker!

    In third place and with a powerhouse effort to pick up his maiden longest drive award on the 11th hole, was Scott Wilson, while perennial winner of everything, Warwick Boo Stonehouse took out the nearest the pin on the new 5th hole. For all the dirt on what went down, go to the August 9 Handicap Day results page. Below is a file photo of Crocko celebrating in his own inimitable style at one of his many BRG Handicap Day victories.

    Crocko booty_1.jpg

    The next BRG event is the 2nd qualifier of the 2008 Victorian Social Golf Club Championships also being held at Waterford Valley from 10:30am on Saturday August 16. There are still some places available for those keen to get involved. The next BRG Handicap Day is on Sunday September 21 at Sandringham Golf Links. To see all the events for the year, take a look at the BRG Event Schedule.

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    Handicap Day and Kelly Gang Shootout in Toke sorts out the BRG POY!
    Jul 21, 2008

    Three days of golfing hi-jinx in the Bushranger heartland on the banks of the mighty Murray has brought the serious contenders to the fore in the race for the 2008 BRG Player of the Year. A Handicap Day followed by the first Kelly Gang Shootout to played over 36 holes, yielded a whole lot of fun for the hearty souls who got involved and a feast of POY points.

    On Friday July 18, eight devious rogues pulled on the armour to battle out the sixth 2008 Handicap Day on The Presidents Course at the mighty Tocumwal Golf Club. In chilly conditions that threatened to turn ugly at times, the field battled manfully, but many were set on their backsides by the slick Toke greens that rolled fast and true and proved a terrific challenge. Some simply chose to eschew the flat stick in favour of other means of holing out. On the par three 2nd hole, Pw Jones made his birdie from the left greenside bunker. He mustn't like putting on that hole, because on Sunday, playing the 4-ball ambrose of the Kelly Gang Shootout, he holed out from off the back right with an amazing bump and run from four metres off the putting surface. What a champ.

    When the dust settled on Friday, we had an amazing three way tie between Mick Van Raay, Wade Jones and David Regenspurger, all locked together on 35 stableford points. The three were separated on count back to divvy up the prize pool, but all three received the maximum 10 points in the BRG POY. For all the gory details, check out the Handicap Day # 6 results page .

    With the crumbs of that little appetiser splashed all over the napkin, a few more dubious characters rode in to town to contest the 2008 Kelly Gang Shootout over the weekend. The event featured an all new 4-player format over 36-holes. It was a great weekend of fun and by Sunday arvo, Brian Davis, David Regenspurger, Shane Morris & Matthew Thomas of The Beechworth Boys made off with the booty after a poweful four-shot win.

    Phil___DDW_news.JPG

    Above we see Diesel Dave watching Fabulous Phil play his approach to the 18th hole on The Captains Course, the last hole of our front nine on Saturday. For all the dirt on what went down over the weekend in Toke, including all the cheers, jeers and tears, go to the 2008 KGS Results page and be sure to check out the two galleries with all the Shootout shots of all the action on the course.

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    1st 2008 VSGCC Qualifier a super stableford shoot out at Growling Frog
    Jul 15, 2008

    The first ever VSGCC Qualifier got off to a flying start on Sunday July 13 with nine courageous teams braving testing conditions at Growling Frog to fight it out for the first seven places in the 2008 VSGCC final.

    The BRG Capt. Melvilles set a cracking pace and opened an unassailable lead with three of the best four individual scores for the day to set up a 15 point win. The rest of the results were much closer and several were tied and separated by countback.

    VSGCC_200_logo.jpg

    The third and fourth place teams, vying for a podium finish and the best of the prizes, were locked together, as were the teams in seventh and eighth place that were vying for the vital last invitation available to the championship final. They also were equal with their tie-breaker fourth scores, so the final places were determined by a countback: the scores were totalled for all four players on each team for the back nine. Fifth and sixth place were also equal, but were easily separated with the Brumby Spikes team only fronting with three players, so their 4th tie-breaker score was zero. The top five team reults were:

    Pos

    Team

    Players

    Scores

    Total

    1st

    BRG Cpt. Melvilles

    Ian Crotty
    Warwick Stonehouse
    Roger Brown
    Michael David

    28
    35
    40
    44

    119

    2nd

    Bushranger Golf Three

    David Puddefoot
    John Moore
    Sebastian Shand
    David McAdam

    32
    40
    32
    24

    104

    3rd

    Bushranger Golf Two

    Dave Regenspurger
    Matthew Thomas
    Louise Tornérhielm
    Michael Mileo

    33
    33
    27
    34

    100

    4th

    Reserve Bank SCG

    Michael Vasnaver
    John Mazey
    Wayne Mitchelmore
    Dale Ruddock

    31
    29
    33
    26

    93

    5th

    Epping RSL SGC

    Bob Laing
    Chris Toshack
    Gary Tinsley
    Tony Collis

    33
    27
    26
    32

    92

    Melvilles_news.JPG

    Above we see the winning team, The BRG Captain Melvilles, wallowing in the glory of their win. They are: Michael David, Warwick Stonehouse, Ian Crotty and Roger Brown. The top 10 individual results were:

    Pos

    Player

    Team

    Pts

    1st

    Michael David

    Cpt Melvilles

    44

    2nd

    Roger Brown

    Cpt Melvilles

    40

    3rd

    John Moore

    BRG 3

    40

    4th

    Warwick Stonehouse

    Cpt Melvilles

    35

    5th

    David Hudson

    BRG 1

    34

    6th

    Michael Mileo

    BRG 2

    34

    7th

    Bob Laing

    Epping RSL

    33

    8th

    Matthew Thomas

    BRG 2

    33

    9th

    Wayne Mitchelmore

    Reserve Bank

    33

    10th

    David Regenspurger

    BRG 2

    33

    Nearest the Pin: 5th hole

    John Hudson

    Longest Drive: 15th hole

    Travis Madden

    To see all the results, go to the 2008 VSGCC Q1 Results page.

    The event featured a swag of great prizes totalling over $1600, including in-store vouchers from The Golf Clearance Outlet, Vision golf balls powered by Fantom and great vino from Heathcote Winery. Thanks also to the Hawthorn Suites & 13th Beach Golf Links for their contribution to the overall prizes and bwired online solutions for their assistance in developing the event website that will be launched very soon. In addition, we are grateful for assistance from Golf Development Performance Services (GDPS) and our media partners Inside Social Golf magazine and Hacker golf magazine for their support of the championships.

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    Venue for 08 Vic Social Golf Club Champs final tested by Bushrangers!
    Jun 16, 2008

    On Saturday, the fifth Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008 featured another record breaking field as rogues came piling out of the woodwork to sample the delights of the exciting new Eynesbury Golf Course, the venue for the final of the 2008 Victorian Social Golf Club Championships. The event featured a new innovation with a split tee start with groups playing off both the first and tenth tees. A massive field of 36 teed it up in an individual  stableford event to compete for a swag of great prizes, including some Bushranger Shiraz courtesy of Heathcote Winery. Due top the size of th field (and thanks also to the generosity of Andrew Jennings kicking in some extra booty), prizes were awarded down to fifth place and we held two Long Drives and two Nearest the Pins. As always, there was a great deal of interest in the competition for BRG Player of the Year points.

    The conditions appeared threatening with a couple of minor squalls passing through, but nothing got sticky enough to dampen the spirits of the field. Nevertheless, more than a few Bushrangers struggled to score consistently on the challenging Graham Marsh design. When the dust had settled, the last man standing was old-school Bushranger Paul Lambe who posted a hearty 41 points to finish three clear of his nearest rivals. Tied in second were Matthew Thomas and Ross Mitchell who both carded 38 points. New members Richard Bastow and Mark Gemmola just missed the podium, closely followed by BRG Player of the Year leader Warwick "Boo" Stonehouse who was locked on 34 points with the loveable Roger "Arbeige" Brown. Below we see Lambo enjoying collecting the booty at the presentation ceremony.

    Lambo_news.jpg

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    1st

    Paul Lambe

    41

    = 6th

    Roger Brown

    34

    = 2nd

    Matthew Thomas

    38

    = 6th

    Warwick Stonehouse

    34

    = 2nd

    Ross Mitchell

    38

    8th

    Richard Fellner

    33

    4th

    Richard Bastow

    37

    = 9th

    Ian Crotty

    32

    5th

    Mark Gemmola

    35

    = 9th

    David Regenspurger

    32

    Longest Drive: 5th hole

    Richard Bastow

    Nearest the Pin: 8th hole

    Ash Grenfell

    Longest Drive: 10th hole

    Brett Shemmell

    Nearest the Pin: 15th hole

    Damian Medhurst

    The leading results appear above and all the results and a selection of incriminating photos are available on the June 14 Handicap Day results page. The next Bushranger Golf event will be the sixth Handicap Day for 2008 at the Tocumwal Golf Club from 11:30am on Friday July 18 as part of the lead-up to the revamped Kelly Gang Shootout. For more info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the schedule on the Handicap Day  page or check out all the Bushranger Golf events for the year on the 2008 BRG Event Schedule.

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    Marauding Bushrangers cut The Goon to shreds in a massive scoring frenzy
    May 26, 2008

    The records just kept on tumbling yesterday when 26 Bushrangers turned out in cosmopolitan Sunbury to contest the 4th Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008 at the Goonawarra Golf Club. It was the biggest field ever for a Handicap Day and when the dust settled two more Handicap Day records had fallen: it was the highest number of Bushrangers to have finished under par and, the winning score was the lowest round in strokeplay event.

    A swag of great prizes were on offer, including some Bushranger Shiraz courtesy of Heathcote Winery and BRG golf balls, but, as always, there was a great deal of interest in the competition for points in the BRG Player of the Year award. A few hearts trembled and eyes rolled into the back of heads when the wind started gusting just prior to tee off. In the end, the conditions remained ideal for scoring with little wind and an overcast day that made depth perception and judging distance a snack for even the most visually challenged Bushranger.

    One of the treats for those playing the course for the first time was the string of spectacular holes over the road on the back nine on the west side of the course. The par four 11th has a spectacular water hazard guarding the dogleg and inviting the big hitters to bite off the corner; the picturesque par five 12th, framed by a cliff on the left and a strand of superb pine trees surrounding the approach to the green; the short, formidable and very spectacular par four 13th that looks out over the great western rift valley proved to be a round-wrecker for a few unwary travellers; and the par three 16th hole is very pretty and a feature of The Goon with its famous island tee. Below we see Arbeige during his disaster on the steep cliff-face on the left side of the short 13th hole. This big-hitter has the length to drive the green but his magoombah odyssey on 13 plonked a snowman on the card and dashed his hopes of a maiden Handicap Day win.

    Roger_news.jpg

    A large number of new members joined in the fun and by the 18th hole seven players were under par and just one shot separated the top three. Late inclusion Paul Toll, one of only three desperados to have played every Handicap Day this year, took the bikkies, holding out '08 Handicap Day Two winner and Bushranger Golf veteran, Big Mick and new member, the somewhat rowdy Rod Piper. The great Spaniard Seve Mileo finished just off the podium and one place further back there was a tie between another new member, Richard Bastow, and the old stager Warwick Stonehouse who did enough to hang on to his lead the thrilling race for BRG POY points.

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    Placing

    Player

    Score

    1st

    Paul Toll

    65

    7th

    David McAdam

    71

    2nd

    Mick Van Raay

    66

    8th

    Roger Brown

    74

    3rd

    Rod Piper

    66

    = 9th

    Ian Crotty

    75

    4th

    Michael Mileo 

    68

    = 9th

    Peter Fox

    75

    = 5th

    Warwick Stonehouse

    70

    = 9th

    Matthew Pitt

    75

    = 5th

    Richard Bastow

    70

    12th

      Matthew Thomas

    76

    Longest Drive: 8th hole

    Matthew Thomas

    Nearest the Pin: 10th hole

    Rob Lugton

    The leading results appear above and all the results and a selection of incriminating photos are available on the May 25 HD Results Page. The next Bushranger Golf event will be the fifth Handicap Day for 2008 at the new and very highly-rated Eynesbury Golf Course on Saturday June 14 from 10:00 am. For more info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the schedule on the Handicap Day  page or check out all the Bushranger Golf events for the year on the 2008 BRG Event Schedule.

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    New Bushranger member easily wins back-to-back Open Golf Championships
    May 25, 2008

    Bushranger Golf's own Liam Anderson has rebounded in fine style from his recent dissapointment at his debut Bushranger Cup. As a member of the Wild Colonial Boys at the 2008 BC in April, the best he could muster was a hollow fourth place in a field of nine teams, but in May he has bounced back to steamroll his way to back-to-back Open Golf Championships.

    Playing off a handicap of one, last week he clinched the 54-hole Heathcote Golf Club Championship for the fourth time, defeating highly-rated Heathcote GC junior Kris Mueck by three shots.

    As it turns out, he was just warming up because today he took out the prestigious 36-hole Bendigo District Championship. He left the field in his wake after an outrageous 8 under 63 around the tight Neangar Park Golf Club layout in the morning round.

    The afternoon saw him consolidate and block out any charges with a fine 1 under 70 to post a 36-hole total 9 under par 133. That's Liam on the right with the mighty Frank Honeychurch Trophy.

    In the end he blew the field apart to finish seven shots clear of Marcus Gill from the Axedale Golf Club who shot a 2 under par total of 140 (72 - 68).

    		  Liam_Anderson_with_FHT.jpg   

    To cap off a great day, as the Heathcote Golf Club Champion, Liam also took out the glorious and practical George Body Tray for District Champion of Champions. Liam graciously credited his win to his recent involvement with Bushranger Golf.

    "From the minute the Bushranger's took me into their inner sanctum, my whole golfing universe has turned around. I had virtually given the game away and now look at me - I'm on fire! Come to think of it, things really started looking up for me right around the time I began coaching Pw Jones in January. For some reason every aspect of my game has been getting better and better ever since that time - I dunno how he is going at the moment, but quite frankly, who cares?"

    Pw could be not be contacted for comment today as he was busy compiling a glorious 90 around the tricky Goonawarra Golf Club layout to finish in a very solid tie for ninth place at the latest Bushranger Golf Handicap Day.

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    Over $11K of prizes up for grabs in the VSGCC as sponsors get on board
    May 13, 2008

    The prize pool for the inaugural Victorian Social Golf Club Championships (VSGCC) has exploded to over $11,000 and is continuing to grow. The Golf Clearance Outlet, Vision golf balls powered by Fantom, The Hawthorn Suites, the 13th Beach Golf Links and Heathcote Winery have all generously contributed to the prize pool and each qualifier will boast more than $1600 worth of prizes. An even bigger prize pool is on the line in the final plus the juicy bonus that the 2008 State Champions will win for their social golf club a weekend stay-and-play package for 12 people at the Hawthorn Suites at 13th Beach Golf Links valued at over $3000.

    VSGCC_200_logo.jpg  

    Entries are now open for the first qualifier of the championships at Growling Frog on Sunday July 13 and entry is just $60 per person. The format is teams of four playing aggregate stableford where the best three out of four scores count as the team total. The seven leading teams from each qualifying round will win a place in the final. Note that the entry price for each of the qualifiers will vary depending on the green fee rate at the courses and this does not include entry in the final. Teams that qualify for the final will need to play an entry fee to compete.

    Each qualifier will be played as a stand-alone stableford golf event with results entered on Golf Link and both team and individual prizes will be awarded. As such, individuals or pairs can also enter to play in these events and compete for the individual prizes. To be eligible for the team event, you must have at least three players from the same social club registered as a team before the event. Below is the prize pool for each qualifying round:

     Place

     Team event prizes for each team member

     1st

    • A $30 Golf Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • One dozen Fantom golf balls
    • A bottle of Cravens Place Shiraz from Heathcote Winery
    • A weekday round of golf at the venue for the final: Eynesbury 
    • Invitation to play in the Championship final in November

     2nd

    • A $20 Golf Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • Six Fantom golf balls
    • A bottle of Cravens Place Shiraz from Heathcote Winery
    • Invitation to play in the Championship final in November

     3rd

    • A $15 Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • Three Fantom golf balls
    • A bottle of MCV White from Heathcote Winery
    • Invitation to play in the Championship final in November 

     4th - 7th

    • A $10 Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • Three Fantom golf balls
    • Invitation to play in the Championship final in November 

    The team event is based on individual stableford scores, so these will be compiled to run a simultaneous individual event with the following prizes:

     Place

     Individual event prizes

     1st

    • A $25 Golf Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • Six Fantom golf balls
    • A bottle of Cravens Place Shiraz from Heathcote Winery

     2nd

    • A $20 Golf Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • Three Fantom golf balls
    • A bottle of Cravens Place Shiraz from Heathcote Winery

     3rd

    • A $15 Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • Three Fantom golf balls
    • A bottle of MCV White from Heathcote Winery

     NTP & LD 

    • A $10 Clearance Outlet Voucher
    • Three Fantom golf balls

    In addition to all the great prizes, bwired online solutions have offered a business grade website for the championships. The site is currently under construction but should be live very soon. Until then, the event domain, www.socialgolfcc.com.au will redirect to Bushranger Golf.

    The event is supported by Golf Australia, The Victorian Golf Association, Women's Golf Victoria and Golf Development Performance Services (GDPS). Until the new website is live, for more information and entry details, go to www.socialgolfcc.com.au or keep an eye out for coverage in Inside Social Golf magazine, Australia's number one golf publication, and Hacker: the golf magazine with attitude!

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    Record field at Growling Frog for 3rd Bushranger Golf Handicap Day of '08
    May 05, 2008

    A record field of 24 unscrupulous Bushrangers made the trek north of Melbourne yesterday to compete in the third Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008 at the highly rated Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean. Conditions were relatively benign as the field set off in sunshine with little wind, but things got more testing as the afternoon wore on. A swag of great prizes were on offer in the stableford event, including some Bushranger Shiraz courtesy of Heathcote Winery and BRG golf balls, but, as always, there was a great deal of interest in the competition for points in the BRG Player of the Year award.

    A large number of new members joined in the fun and when the dust settled the scores were generally very tight, except out in front where it mattered most. New recruit Wade Jones blew the field apart to win by 7 points on a day when many Bushrangers failed to master the testing conditions, in particular the deceptively challenging puting surfaces. In second place was Peter Fox and third was the new co-leader in the BRG POY, David Regenspurger. Below we see the winner enjoying the spoils back in the clubhouse.

    Wade_news.jpg

    Placing

    Player

    S/ford Pts

    Placing

    Player

    S/ford Pts

    1st

    Wade Jones

    44

    = 5th

    David McAdam

    32

    2nd

    Peter Fox

    37

    = 5th

    Patrick Newport

    32

    3rd

    David Regenspurger

    35

    9th

    Mick Van Raay

    30

    4th

    Andrew Jennings

    34

     = 10th

    Roger Brown

    29

    = 5th

    Richard Fellner

    32

    = 10th

    Steve Cross

    29

    = 5th

    Paul Toll

    32

    12th

    Pablo Armes

    28

    Nearest the Pin: 5th hole

    Pablo Armes

    Nearest the Pin: 12th hole

    David Regespurger

    Longest Drive: 11th hole

    Maurice Belcher

    Nearest the Pin: 12th hole

    Richard Fellner

    The leading results appear above and all the results and a selection of incriminating photos are available on the May 4 HD Results Page. The next Bushranger Golf event will be the 4th Handicap Day for 2008 at the Goonawarra Golf Club in Sunbury on Sunday May 25. For more info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the schedule on the Handicap Day  page or check out all the Bushranger Golf events for the year on the 2008 BRG Event Schedule.

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    Arbeige claims the triple crown with victory in the 2008 Bushranger Cup!
    Apr 14, 2008

    The reigning William Buckley Classic & Kelly Gang Shootout champion, the indomitable Arbeige, has done the unthinkable and taken out the Bushranger Cup to win an astonishing triple crown. He now simultaneously holds all four titles and has bragging rights over all his shabby, choking and more fertile opponents.

    The 5th annual Bushranger Cup was played in the Shiraz-soaked township of Heathcote and featured the closest ever Bushranger Cup with the Captain Moonlite Gang holding on for victory by the narrowest of margins, finishing one paltry shot ahead of the Stringybark Creek Freaks. The Ben Hall Gang hopped on the podium in third another two shots further back. After three absorbing days of competition and outrageous Bushranging from all sections of the field, only 19 shots separated the nine teams.

    In the end, the whole event came down to the final green, with Larry of the Moonliters calmly holing a double-breaking downhill four-footer for par to post the clubhouse lead. Playing in the final group, Mikey Dee of the Freaks, launched a searing ball to 10-feet to set up a championship tying birdie putt that would have sent the Bushranger Cup into its first ever playoff. Alas, none of the Freaks got the ball up to the hole! In their defence, they did not know at the time that the putt was to tie the championship, but that will be of little comfort to them as they lie awake at night for the next 12 months playing that shot over and over again and every time seeing it pull up short. Torture. Below we see the moment of truth when the Bushranger Cup was decided with Mikey Dee putting on the 72nd hole with team-mate Foxy looking on.

    Dee___Foxy_news.jpg

    It is also the first time a team has jagged a second Bushranger Cup title, as the same four rogues, Arbeige, Larry, the Minotaur & Pw Jones, won in 2006 in Corowa. Tragically, it is Mikey Dee's fourth time as runner up in this event. Clearly it is also a massive loss for the handicapper to have won for the second time. Rumours are already flying that Pw Jones has informed his team he has retired from playing in future Bushranger Cuppage so he can focus on socialising with a little more vigour. The opportunity to dethrone Arbeige from his triple crown will arrive soon, with the  Kelly Gang Shootout scheduled for the weekend of July 19 & 20 in Tocumwal. Four teams are already booked, so get your gang of four together now if you want to compete for this illustrious title.

    Below are the overall final results. A comprehensive wrap of all the thrills, highlights, scores and photo galleries of all the action is available on the 2008 BC Results page.

    Place

    Gang

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Rnd 4

    Total

    Par

    1st

    Cpt. Moonlite

    70 

    70 

    64

    67

    271

    - 12

    2nd

    SB Creek Freaks

    66

    72

    71

    63 

    272

    - 11

    3rd

    Ben Hall Gang

    66

    76

    69

    63

    274

    - 9

    4th

    Wild Colonial

    72

    71

    70

    64

    277

    - 6

    5th

    Cash & Co.

    70

    73

    70

    65

    278

    - 5

    6th

    The Kelly Gang

    74

    70

    71

    66

    281

    - 2

    7th

    Harry Power

    70

    73

    73

    67

    283

    E

    8th

    Aaron Sherritt

    69

    80

    71

    67

    287

    + 4

    9th

    Canvas Town Mob

     73

    74

    81

    62

    290

    + 7

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    A frenzy of heckling is certain to feature at the 2008 Bushranger Cup!
    Apr 04, 2008

    The 2008 Bushranger Cup that is kicking off a week from today has been rocked by revelations this afternoon that the four players unable to attend the nine holes of singles on the Friday will be completing their first round a full 24 hours behind the rest of the field. Defending champions Ace & JP will join 2005 Champions Bastros & Saddam and tee up on the back nine at Heathcote Golf Club on Saturday afternoon immediately after the completion of the 2-ball rounds. Tournament Director Pw Jones is none too pleased with the situation.

    "Look, needless to say, it is not good for the event to have these jokers make a mockery of the format, but, what is a far greater concern is how the rest of the field will react. The way I see it, the other 32 competitors will take a dim view of the situation, and, as they will be at loose end, will probably take matters into their own hands."

    "I don't want to pre-empt anything, or give the Bushrangers any ideas, but I'd be very surprised if they didn't choose to form a gallery and take to the fairways with the group in question. They will certainly have plenty of erudite advice to offer, however, as it is more than likely that a couple of them will have been on the sauce, they may well get a little excited. I'm sure they will have the best of intentions, but I can't guarantee they will be able to maintain a civilised demeanour for the entire time. Quite frankly, I'd be amazed if the four mavericks manage to maintain their equilibrium for the first hole, let alone the full 9 holes when they do tee it up."

    Ace_kissing_BC.jpg

    When questioned about the situation, Ace, pictured above enjoying his 2007 trimph, simply said "Afternoon baby!" and Bastros said he was looking forward to the prospect:

    "I am more than happy for that to be the scenario, in fact, I will encourage it - battling the gallery at every turn and living with their jeers, jibes and japes in relation to my putting, driving, short and long iron game."

    Pw Jones has responded by refusing to set two-ball handicaps for the players in question their singles scores are returned and has released a statement regarding the handicaps for the offending parties:

    Some may argue it is an advantage teeing up later as the players will know all the scores and scenarios and can use this info to inform their strategy & tactics for the 9-hole round. Hence, any Bushrangers playing their solo 9 holes after their 2-ball, will not know their two-ball ambrose handicap until after the solo round has been completed. We will use the same process for the late players as all others - after the solo 9, individual handicaps will be assessed and may be adjusted. These individual handicaps will then be applied to a formula to determine the 2-ball team handicaps. This means the price for playing the rounds out of sequence is playing blind in the two-ball with no idea of your handicap. This is necessary to protect the integrity of the event, to penalise the late arrivals, to reward those who came on time and to discourage these sort of exceptions occurring in the future.

    It would seem we are heading for another discombobulated and rowdy Saturday afternoon at the Bushranger Cup in 2008!

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    Schedule shift for the AFL Premiership Players Charity Golf Classic
    Mar 24, 2008

    aflppc_logo.gif 

    The 2008 AFL Life Members & Premiership Players Charity Golf Classic has been restructured and rescheduled for Thursday October 16, 2008. After conferring with stakeholders and participants, we have found the number of bookings taken for the event was severely impacted by the two-day itinerary. Many people were interested in supporting and participating the event but could not be available for the round of golf on the second day.

    As a result, the schedule has been restructured so that the event will be held over 18 holes on the Beach Course at 13th Beach, with a dinner and charity auction in the evening. Participants will have the option of staying at The Hawthorn Suites at a reduced rate. Participants in the event will also be eligible for a discount round of golf the following day on the Creek Course at 13th Beach. 

     AFL_80_logo.jpg 

    When: Thursday October 16, 2008 - from 11:30 am
    Where: The 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.
    What: Teams of three will be partnered with a past VFL/AFL player and compete in the comfort of golf carts for great prizes, loads of fun and in support of two very worthy charities.
    Tucker: A fully catered dinner & charity auction will be held in the function rooms of the on-course Hawthorn Suites apartments.
    Format: Four-ball best-ball ambrose over 18 holes.
    Entry: You can enter as a single player, a pair, a team of three or as a corporate sponsor.

    Bookings can be made through Bushranger Golf:

    To enter by phone contact Bushranger Golf (BRG) on (03) 5433 3213.
    To enter by fax, click here for the entry form & fax to BRG on (03) 5433 3530.
    To enter by email, click here.  
     
    Bushranger Golf thanks to all the event sponsors for their generous and ongoing support. For more information, see the AFL Life Members & Premiership Players Charity Golf Classic webpage or contact BRG on (03) 5433 3213

    Reach_100.jpg        VPCRC_100.png

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    The 2nd 08 Bushranger Golf Handicap Day ends in a 1 shot win to Da King
    Mar 09, 2008

    13 rogues made the trip up the Northern Highway yesterday to compete in the second Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008 in the Shiraz-soaked hamlet of Heathcote in central Victoria. It was a chance for a number of competitors in next month's Bushranger Cup to scope the course at the Heathcote Golf Club in preparation for that mighty event. The field joined a few friendly locals for 18 holes of individual strokeplay with the added incentive of the points on offer for the Bushranger Golf Player of the Year award.

    News_goofing_off.JPG

    Above we can see that the shenanigans never really stopped, with the fellas continuing the fun right through to the 19th hole. From L to R we have Dave, Alf (partly obscured), Ben, Davo, Crocko, Boo, Willo, Dubso, Kingo, Quigso, Seveo & Tolly-o.

    Conditions were tricky to hot with the thermometer getting over 30 degrees and the slick greens quickening up as the day wore on. When the dust finally settled, Da Kingo came out on top with a thrilling one shot victory over Boo, the winner in February at the first 2008 Handicap Day held at The Golf Club St Andrews Beach.

    Placing

    Player

    Nett Score

    Placing

    Player

    Nett Score

    1st

    Mick Van Raay

    69

    5th

    David McAdam

    73

    2nd

    W. Stonehouse

    70

    = 6th

    Ian Crotty

    75

    = 3rd

    RIchard Fellner

    72

    = 6th

    D. Regenspurger

    75

    = 3rd

    Michael Mileo 

    72

    = 8th

    Scott Wilson

    77

    Longest Drive: 9th hole

    Warwick Stonehouse

    Nearest the Pin: 13th hole

    Scott Wilson

    The leading results appear above and all the results and a selection of incriminating photos are available on the March 8 Handicap Day Results Page. In finishing second, Warwick (Mr. Boo) Stonehouse maintained his lead and firmed slightly in the betting in the race for the inaugural BRG Player of the Year award.

    The next Bushranger Golf event is the AFL Life Members and Premiership Players Charity Golf Classic on April 3 & 4 at the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads. The next Handicap Day for 2008 is on Sunday May 4 at Growling Frog Golf Course. For more info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the schedule on the Handicap Day  page or check out all the Bushranger Golf events for the year on the 2008 BRG Event Schedule.

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    Hamish & Andy help BRG promote new AFL charity golf event on April 3 & 4
    Feb 29, 2008

    Our friends Hamish & Andy have taken time out of their busy ball-tearing schedules to lend a hand to BRG by voicing some of the promotional material for the AFL Life Members and Premiership Players Charity Golf Classic that is on at 13th Beach Golf Links and the Hawthorn Suites on April 3 & 4. The event features teams of three punters partnered with a past VFL/AFL player to play as a 4-ball ambrose team in the comfort of golf carts for great prizes, loads of fun and in support of two very worthy charities.

     160_logo.jpg

    When Andrew Mudgway of Austereo kindly made some airtime available for community announcements to promote the event, the boys couldn't wait to get involved. According to Hamish's publicist, he may have said: "Yeah, we heard this thing was on to help, you know, the kids, and Andy kept banging on about golf or something and how won't somebody please think of the children and the next thing you know I've challenged Bobby Skilton to a duel. So yeah, while Andy really hasn't lifted a finger to help anyone, I'm actually putting my life on the line for a good cause that, to be quite frank, I don't know anything about."

    Courage_home.JPG

    Above, we see the lads with partner in crime Ryan Shelton (and two other unscrupulous Bushrangers) during their Caravan of Courage tour through Bushranger Country last year that featured in our Famous Faces and Places page in The Campfire. To hear how Hamish got himself into a life-or-death battle with a triple Brownlow Medallist, go to the AFL Life Members and Premiership Players Charity Golf Classic page and click on the mp3 downloads of the announcements that are listed under the sponsors logos. There are also copies of the MMM spots voiced by Dominic Pedlar that will be aired in the coming weeks.

    Today, 1116 SEN are putting the finishing touches on the announcements they will be airing as a media partner of the event. Bushranger Golf, The Reach Foundation, the Victorian Prostate Cancer Research Consortium, the AFL Life Members Association and the AFL Premiership Players Club would like to thank both radio networks and Golf Business News magazine for their generous assistance with promoting this event that is benefiting two very worthy charities.

    For entry details, or for more information, check out the AFL Life Members and Premiership Players Charity Golf Classic page, Contact Us or call Matthew Pitt at Bushranger Golf on (03) 5433 3213.

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    1st 2008 Bushranger Golf Handicap Day a big battle for early BRG POY points
    Feb 10, 2008

    A sturdy field of 20 unscrupulous Bushrangers made the trek down the Mornington Peninsula yesterday to compete in the first Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008. Although some Bushranger Shiraz from Heathcote Winery and BRG golf balls were on offer as prizes, it seems the big interest for the day was getting some points in the saddlebag early in the race for the 2008 Bushranger Golf Player of the Year (BRG POY). One experienced competitor, well known for his podium finishes and empty trophy cabinet, was heard to comment that he wasn't trying to win the day, just to place well to ensure a good swag of BRG POY points! The current standings are on the BRG Player of the Year page.

    The Handicap Day was a stableford event held on the highly rated Gunnamatta Course at The Golf Club St Andrews Beach. Conditions were slightly testing, with a couple of squalls threatening to dampen proceedings. We were pleased to have a number of new members join in the fun: Pablo Armes, David Regenspurger and Erik Rathmyr all saddled up for their first BRG event and held their own - all finishing inside the top 11 places. Below we see the view from near the first tee as a few Bushrangers head confidently down the middle of the opening fairway.

    News_item_3.JPG

    In what turned out to be a very tight contest, The Boominator took the bikkies with 40 stableford points on a day when many well-credentialed Bushrangers struggled and posted some very low totals. He was able to hold off the fast finishing Big C and Sammy who stormed home together in the final group to take 2nd and 3rd place on 39 & 38 points. In an odd twist, BRG had offered a BRG ball to any Bushranger who had one or more four-putts on the treacherous St. Andrews Beach greens. In a disgraceful display of flat-stick work, five Bushrangers stepped up to claim their prize: Pablo Armes, Andy MacFeate, Richard Steers, Paul Toll and to crown a bad day, Ring of Bright Water, Ben the loveable Otter, managed a four-puttsky on the 18th to cement himself in last place and put the icing on the cake of what was an average day for the lowest marker in the field!

    Placings

    Player

    S/ford Pts

    Placings

    Player

    S/ford Pts

    1st

    W. Stonehouse

    40

    5th

    Scott Wilson

    34

    2nd

    Campbell Wilson

    39

    = 6th

    Paul Toll

    33

    3rd

    Sam Saltis

    38

    = 6th

    D. Regenspurger

    33

    4th

    Pablo Armes

    36

    8th

    Steve Noa

    32

    Nearest the Pin: 6th hole

    Ian Crotty

    Longest Drive: 12th hole

    Erik Rathmyr

    The leading results appear above and all the results and a selection of incriminating photos are available on the Feb 9 HD Results Page. Below we see Warwick (Mr. Boo) Stonehouse hoisting his booty high at the presentation ceremony after his stellar round that vaulted him into the lead in the race for the inaugural BRG Player of the Year.

    News_item_1.JPG 

    The next Bushranger Golf event will be the 2nd Handicap Day for 2008 at the Heathcote Golf Club in central Victoria on Saturday March 8. For more info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the schedule on the Handicap Day  page or check out all the Bushranger Golf events for the year on the 2008 BRG Event Schedule.

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    2008 BRG Player of the Year & Handicap Member discounts are launched
    Jan 28, 2008

    The first Handicap Day for 2008 on February 9 at  The Golf Club, St Andrews Beach will see the launch of the 2008 Bushranger Golf Player of the Year (BRG POY) award. This is a new annual award to celebrate the Best & Mostest Bushranger for the year.

    A system has been developed where Bushranger Golf members are awarded points in the BRG open golf events. At this time, there are 12 BRG events planned for 2008: 10 Handicap Days and two weekend Majors - the Kelly Gang Shootout & the William Buckley Classic. For more info on all our events, check out the 2008 BRG Event Schedule for all the details. It is worth noting that only players with official handicaps or members in the process of acquiring a GAA Golf Handicap through BRG (& hence known to the BRG handicapper) are eligible to receive points in Handicap Day events.

    Points are awarded to the top 10 finishing BRG members in ascending order (1st = 10 points, 2nd = 9 points and so on) and at the end of the year the points are tallied for each player's top six performances. Hence, a player who scores placing points in more than 6 events only receives the points for their best 6 finishes. In addition, to reward regular attendance, one extra point is awarded to every player per event entered. Note that private invitational events, such as the Bushranger Cup, do not carry POY points.

    A BRG POY Perpetual Trophy will be struck and, at the end of the year, the member of Bushranger Golf who accumulates the most points on offer in official open BRG events will be presented with the trophy and prizes at a gala dinner or BBQ (details tba - either in December '08 or January '09).

    Although similar to an order of merit, the guiding principle for the BRG POY is to reward regular attendance and consistent performance in BRG events throughout the year. The point scoring format has been carefully calibrated to reflect this and is a blatantly transparent effort to foster a close race for the POY title.

    As the race for the POY title is only accessible to those who enter our events in Victoria, we offer our apologies to members outside the Garden State. As we expand, we hope to develop events in other states to create the opportunity for more BRG POY awards. In other interstate news, we have partnered with The Golf Club Kennedy Bay (the # 1 course in WA according to Golf Australia magazine) to offer BRG Handicap Members a special discount rate. Watch out for more offers from around Australia on our Discounts page as they become available.

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    First 2008 Handicap Day at the top-10 ranked Golf Club, St Andrews Beach
    Jan 12, 2008

    The first Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2008 is booked at the celebrated Golf Club, St Andrews Beach on the Mornington Peninsula from 10am on Saturday February 9.

    Two classic links courses have been designed for St Andrews Beach by world-renowned golf course architect Tom Doak. The first, The Gunnamatta Course, opened just over two years ago and debuted in Golf Australia Magazine's top 10 courses in the country in 2006. The second course is scheduled to open later this year. Doak is one of the hottest course designers in the world today with Cape Kidnappers, Barnbougle Dunes and a host of top-rating international courses on his resume. For the first time, the quality of his work will be assessed by our motley crew of dastardly Bushrangers. He must be shaking in his boots.

    According to Golf Select, The Gunnamatta Course features some truly dramatic holes and the careful use of natural hazards. Big-scale undulations combined with creases, bumps and hollows are reminiscent of the ancient coastal courses of the United Kingdom. The layout is challenging and visually spectacular with demanding second shots to well placed greens often framed by natural amphitheatres. Craggy Tom Doak-style bunkering is common on many of the holes and helps to add the course character that people are starting to associate with a Doak-designed golf course. This is certainly a course worth playing.

    Places are limited so don't miss your chance to have a crack on this highly rated track at a reduced rate (BRG has secured a discount on the usual $110 green fee). To book your place, email "Book me in coz I'm Gunnamatta" to forecaddie@bushrangergolf.com.au and please include your GOLF Link number if you have a handicap. If you want a cart, there are a few available so mention this in your email.

    Where: 209 Sandy Road, St Andrews Beach.
    When: Tee off at 10:00am, Saturday February 9, 2008.
    Who: It is an open event for all golfers to enjoy.
    How much: $90 to walk, $20 extra pp for a cart.
    How: EFT payments will be required a week prior to the event. 
    Format: 18 holes of individual stableford for a bunch of great prizes in an official golf event. (BRG will enter the results on GOLF Link.)
    Info: For EFT payment details and to read more about the event, go to the Bushranger Golf Handicap Day page.

    In other news:

    • The 2nd Handicap Day is booked for Saturday March 15 at Heathcote Golf Club in central Victoria as a prelude to the Bushranger Cup at the same venue in April.
    • The 2008 BRG Event Schedule lists all the events we are planning for the year.
    • The Golf Club, Kennedy Bay, rated as the best course in WA, is set to be the first course outside Victoria offering Discounts for BRG Handicap Members. Watch the news items for a detailed announcement soon.
    • To find out how to get an official Australian affiliate handicap through Bushranger Golf, go to our Golf Handicaps  page.

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    Changes to BRG Golf Handicap Membership structure from Feb 2008
    Dec 22, 2007

    The way Bushranger Golf structures Handicap Memberships will change in February 2008. We have found the administration time to manage handicaps is more than we initially anticipated, so we have decided on two new measures:

    1. After January 31 2008, all new handicaps will cost $105 to renew annually.
    2. Bushranger Golf will form partnerships with golf courses to access discount rates for Handicap Members.

    Given the original BRG handicap offer was for $105 in the first year and $99 each continuous year after that, as a sign of good faith, all BRG members who have gained a handicap before Jan 31 2008, will still be eligible to pay $99 per year to renew their handicap after the initial $105 payment. Furthermore, if there are current members who are planning to obtain a handicap but have not yet collected their five scorecards, they can still qualify for the original offer as long as they submit their answers to the Handicap Questions by midnight (AEST) on January 31, 2008.

    Every handicap application (i.e. answers to the handicap questions) that we receive from February 1, 2008, will be required to pay a $105 annual handicap renewal fee. Note that the $99 renewal offer is for handicaps that are maintained continuously. If a member lapses their handicap, if and when they resume, they will be required to pay $105 each year thereafter.

    Although the annual cost will increase very slightly for new Handicap Members, we plan to add extra value for Handicap Members by arranging for discount green fees with partner courses. The first of these is with the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads. From January 1st 2008, BRG Handicap Members who hold a Golf Access Australia handicap through Bushranger Golf will receive discount deals on golf and cart hire at 13th Beach simply by arranging the discount when they book and verifying eligibility by showing their BRG GOLF Link card at the pro shop. To read all the details go to our new Handicap Members Discounts page.

    In January 2008, we will start the New Year by seeking new partner courses in each state. If you have a suggestion for a course you would like us to approach about a partnership, in particular if you live outside Victoria, please Contact Us and we will approach your suggested course about a discount partnership.

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    Golf media award stolen by brazen Bushranger in daring highway robbery!
    Dec 18, 2007

    Bushranger Golf member Richard Fellner (aka Quigley) has thrust BRG into the spotlight once again and, as always, it is for all the wrong reasons. This week he took out the Australian Golf Media Photojournalism Award for the best magazine photo with a shot he snapped late last year when a gang of Bushrangers popped over to Growling Frog for a round to write a review for our friends at Inside Social Golf (ISG) magazine.

    In one of the most daring cases of highway robbery in Australian golfing history, Quigley pinched the award from under the noses of a gaggle of genuine golfing photojournalists and paparazzo, in spite of the fact that he doesn’t even own a real camera and he is actually a golf writer, not a photographer.

    A glittering annual awards dinner was held at the Concord Golf Club in Sydney this week and presentations of the awards were made to some of the best-known names in Australia's golfing media – and Quigley. The awards were created for media professionals who cover Australian golf through print, internet, radio, television and photography. Quigley's offending winning photo is below.

    fellnerroosnews.jpg

    Apparently Q stopped for a leak near the 12th tee and as he dropped his strides he suddenly realised he was in full view of the clubhouse. In his ecstasy of fumbling to regain his composure he dropped his camera and accidentally knocked the shutter as it was falling to the ground. It was only later when he developed the shots that he realised he had taken a pearler and that three of the locals had been watching him the whole time with a rather surprised look. About two seconds after this shot was taken, the three roos were seen rolling on the ground in fits of laughter.

    Said Q later, "It just goes to show what you can accomplish when you remember to take off the lens cap and then forget to put it back on and then down trou somewhere inappropriate.”

    In true Bushranger style, Quigley didn’t bother to front up to collect his award in person. Rumour has it he was busy sitting on the photocopier at the ISG offices, preparing his entry for next year. He sent an Apache squaw in his place to make an acceptance speech and hand out a few free drinks vouchers for the Apache Gold Casino Resort in Arizona. Congrats from all at BRG to Q on a wonderful piece of Bushranging and keep an eye out for his regular articles in ISG under his pseudonym Richard Fellner.

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    1st timer an wily veteran take out an emotional SCC at 13th Beach Golf Links
    Dec 05, 2007

    Craig Battershill and Pete Bremner have struck a blow for battlers and hackers everywhere by taking out the 2007 Surf Coast Cup. Although it was a record breaking fourth title for Mr Bremner, adding to his wins in ’98, ’99 and 2001, it was a first up win for the likeable Batters that stole the hearts and minds of the fans. After years of heartbreak and frustration in both forms of the game - The Surf Coast Cup and The Murray River Golf Challenge – that had seen him go close many times but never quite get over the line, Batters has finally broken his duck and got the gorilla off his back.

    “Yes it is a huge relief to have shaken the best player never to win a major tag and now that I have finally broken through, I am certain this will be the first of many”, he said in true one-time major winner fashion.

    “I will be heading off shortly to get a few tips from IBF as this win proves to my many doubters that now that I have what it takes, I have licence to tinker with the swing that got me here and hopefully I can add that elusive 3 – 4 yards of distance to my drives and not stuff anything up. I have always maintained that if it’s not broken, thre may still be room for improvement.”

    07_champs.JPG

    Above we see the '07 champions celebrating their victory at the presentation ceremony. Pete gripping Old Ben by the ankles like only a four time winner knows how and Batters cradling the glory in his palms like it was one of his own children. The top four placings were:

     1st

    Craig Battershill & Pete Bremner

     130

     2nd

    Neil Barnard & Greg Oakley

     133

     3rd

    Bernard Collins, John Fraser & Justin Gay

     134

     4th

    Ian Crotty & Matthew Pitt

     137

    The remaining finishing positions were conveniently destroyed in the Reichstag fire. Other winners on the weekend included:

    Longest Drive Day 1:    Bern Collins
    Longest Drive Day 2:    Ian Crotty
    Nearest the Pin Day 1:  Matthew Pitt
    Nearest the Pin Day 2:  Ian Crotty

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    BR Golf Handicap Day a huge event at Yarra Bend Golf Course in Melbourne
    Nov 19, 2007

    The big men were flying at Yarra Bend in Melbourne last weekend when a huge field of competitors teed it up in the final Bushranger Golf Handicap Day for 2007. The contestants ranged in height from 182.95 cms up to 198 cms and represented a cross-section of golfers that were way above average (in height, not ability). When the dust settled, the mighty Crocko-Diddio emerged victorious with a stellar round on a day when the Bushrangers scorched around The Bend. He finished with 42 stableford points (20 on the front and 22 on the back) to hold off the fast finishing Willo and Hominator who both shot even on the front and them stormed home with 4 under on the back nine to tie in 2nd place with 40 points each.

    The field teed off in perfect conditions at the historic and picturesque course nestled on a bend in the Yarra River in Fairfield. The first Nearest the Pin was a wipe with the entire field failing to keep a ball on the green on the 148 metre 7th hole. Although a few were tantalisingly close to the short grass, none stayed on and the contest was shifted on to the short 13th hole where the pin was peppered and Ho took the bikkies with a crisp short iron that was all over the stick and finished within 10 feet. The Longest Drive from the elevated tee on the 15th was nearly a similar mess with Seve snatching the prize with the only drive to stay on the fairway!

    16th_for_news.JPG

    Above we see the magnificent 16th at The Bend, regarded by many, including Pw Jones and Greg Norman, as the best hole on the course. To the right of the fairway is The Hominator, having opened up the green, while on the left in the shadows is Brycie where his huge drive finished and to his left, Crocko is at the base of one of the massive gums that guards the corner. It was a pivotal moment in the round, with Crocko managing to get out from the trees and then manufacture a superb up-and-down for par to maintain his lead going into the final two holes.

    It was another heartbreaker for Willo who is still trying to post his first win in a Bushranger Golf event despite an attendance record that is second-to-none. To make matters worse, Crocko was the first alternate, flying in on Friday from international commitments to take his place in the field when marquee player Mikey Dee had to pull out after rolling an ankle and not being able to pass a fitness test on the morning of the event. Willo had Ho beaten on a count-back and probably would've snared his first win had fate not intervened again to deny him. He didn't put a foot wrong and this scribe is sure his breakthrough win is not far away so he can dislodge the Greatest Bushranger to Steal Nothing tag that is now weighing so heavily on him.

    All the results and final placings are posted on the 5th Handicap Day Results & Gallery page. The next BRG event will be the 1st BRG Handicap Day for 2008. Details have not yet been finalised, but it looks like being at St. Andrews Beach Golf Links in late January. For more info, watch out for news items and keep an eye on the schedule on the Handicap Day  page. If you are interested in competing, contact Matt at BRG via email or through our Contact page.

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    Bushrangers review 13th Beach Golf Links in Inside Social Golf magazine
    Nov 03, 2007

    A gang of our Bushrangers recently made the trip to the 36-hole 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads to pen another review for our friends at Inside Social Golf (ISG) magazine. With a little encouragement from Bushranger Golf member Richard Fellner, the team at ISG somehow thought it would be a good idea to let the Bushrangers loose again after our last contribution to the From the Carpark to the 19th course review. In August, some of our members saddled up for a review of the Ranfurlie Course at Amstel.

    This time the course was the venue for the 2007 William Buckley Classic where all involved had a belter of weekend enjoying the two championship courses and lounging in between rounds at the salubrious Hawthorn Suites Apartments that are located on course, just a pitch and putt from the driving range. The original Beach Course was designed by Tony Cashmore of The Dunes fame and the Creek Course was designed jointly by Cashmore and the man who put the Shark to the sword in the ’96 US Masters, Nick Faldo.

    The reviewers this time were the 2006 WBC Champs Da King and Seve with a little help from the far more shabbily credentialed but no less humble Quigley and Pw Jones.

      ISG_Nov_07_H.gif   

    To read the review, grab your copy of  Inside Social Golf. Every month 40,000 copies are distributed nationally to over 420 pro-shops and driving ranges and it is available at more than 70 Victorian golf clubs. Ask in your pro-shop for a copy next time you are having a round. It is a great read for those of us who enjoy a hit and a laugh. To see the article as it appears in the November issue of Inside Social Golf, click here to go to the Bushranger Golf Resources page where you can download the PDF of the article or click here to go to the ISG website and have a look at some of the other great articles and features they have online.

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    Jack the Hack returns to Eagle Ridge Golf Course for a very social reunion
    Oct 22, 2007

    The 10th running of the famous Jack the Hack Championship was held on Saturday at Eagle Ridge, the course on the Mornington Peninsula where all the Hacking began a decade ago. When the dust settled, the field had been spreadeagled by a masterful round in perfect conditions from Marty Koolstra. An experienced Hacker, he had gone close only once before in his long and arduous quest for the holy Jack the Hack Memorial Trophy. This time Marty turned in a peerless performance, racking up 41 stableford points and leaving the field in his wake with the runner up, Craig Ryan, finishing on 37 stableford points and third place getter, Steve Hooper, another point further back.

    The spoils (containing a largely alcohol-fuelled prize pool) were also shared among the four Nearest the Pin winners, a Longest Drive award and the obligatory JTH NAGA award. As far as we can tell, the results were:

    Overall Results
    1st - Marty Koolstra
    2nd - Craig Ryan
    3rd - Steve Hooper

    Nearest to the pins
    6th hole: Saddam
    8th hole: Steve Hooper
    11th hole: Arbeige
    17th hole: Dave Mitchell

    Longest Drive
    18th hole: Marty Koolstra

    NAGA
    Rick Brown

    As if walking away with the main prize wasn't enough, on the 18th hole, Marty drove the final stake through his opponents hearts by taking out the Longest Drive prize with a monstrous effort that travelled well over 300 metres. Below we see the new champion in front of the ninth green, having fun getting acquainted with one of the most treasured and famous trophies on the Shabby Dot Com Tour: The Jack the Hack Perpetual Trophy.

    Marty_kissing_Jack.JPG

    More details of the event are available on the Jack the Hack page. The next Bushranger Golf event is the 5th Bushranger Golf Handicap Day on Saturday November 17 at the world famous Yarra Bend Public Golf Course in Fairfield. Like Jack the Hack, it will be an individual stableford handicap event. Entry is open to all handicap golfers and there will be a heap of great prizes on offer. For more details, check out the BRG Handicap Day page.

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    Hamish & Andy Caravan of Courage their way into Bushranger Golf folklore!
    Oct 11, 2007

    Hamish & Andy present the top-rating drive show on the Today Network around Australia and are regular guests on Rove. Recently they cooked up the ridiculous idea of driving from Perth to Brisbane in the Caravan of Courage and hugging their way across Australia, stopping in caravan parks in rural communities to broadcast their top-rating show each afternoon from a dazzling array of remote locations. They hope to finish their trip this Sunday evening by meeting up with Rove McManus for a live broadcast of his show from a caravan park in Brisbane.

    As it happens, along with partner in crime Ryan Shelton, they are arguably the oldest members of Bushranger Golf, having played in what this revisionist historian regards as the first ever bona fide BRG social golf event, the posthumously and aptly titled: SYN-FM Friday Razz 9-hole Two-ball Ambrose Shootout World Invitational Golf Championship. To find out more about what the hell this actually means, visit the Famous Faces & Places page for the real facts behind the real story.

    When the Caravan of Courage made its way through the heart of Kelly country, the boys couldn’t wait to get back to their roots and pose for a Bushranger Golf team photo. When they heard that up-and-coming Bushranger Harry Pitt was also in town, things got a little untidy as a glamorous array of guests at the exclusive Benalla Leisure Park were throwing themselves at the tiny celebrity, asking for autographs and signed photos, in spite of the fact that the young tyro is almost entirely illiterate. Fortunately, Hamish, Andy and Ryan are bigger than most, so were able to muscle their way to the front of the line and get a snapshot in with Harry, resplendent in their official Bushranger Golf apparel, to throw a bit more fuel on the publicity fire aboard the runaway train that is the Hamish & Andy juggernaut.

    Hamish___Andy_on_Caravan_Radio.JPG

    Above we see Hamish Blake & Andy Lee relaxing before the photo shoot and doing what they do best, having a heap of fun while broadcasting their national radio show from under the Awning of Joy outside the Caravan of Courage in the valet parking section of the Benalla Leisure Park.

    Be sure to tune in to the continuing adventures of the Caravan of Courage from 4 – 6 pm on the Today Network and tune in to Rove on Sunday night at 9 pm (check your local guides) to see the exciting finale to this inspiring, funny and absurd expedition of shabbiness from these two modern explorers who are doing their best to make the adventures of Burke & Wills look like a highly organised, professional, well-oiled machine.

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    Royal Variety Command Gala Performance by Da King on RocKwiz on SBS
    Sep 28, 2007

    Strap yourself in, music fans, because this week our very own musical maestro and the 2006 William Buckley Classic Champion, Da Kingo (aka Big Mick, aka Michael Van Raay), loaded up his big bag of tricks and made a special guest appearance on that Australian rock music trivia cultural icon, RocKwiz.

    Hosted by Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis, RocKwiz is Australia’s premier music trivia quiz show recorded live in the mystical Gershwin Room, deep inside St Kilda’s legendary Esplanade Hotel. Each episode of RocKwiz features two teams pitted against each other in six rounds of ferocious music trivia. Each team of three is made up of a mystery musical maestro and two lucky punters from the audience who have survived a preliminary ‘death match’ to qualify to play. The show also features live music with The RocKwiz Orkestra of Peter ‘Lucky’ Luscombe, James ‘maestro’ Black and Mark ‘felt-tipped’ Ferrie.

    RocKwiz.jpg

    At the taping last Wednesday, The King breezed through qualifying and cracked it for a spot on the panel to put himself in pole position to kick some royal arse in what became a truly Royal Gala Command Variety Performance. How did he go? Was he able to add some RocKwiz glory to his already bulging trophy cabinet? To find out, you will have to tune in to all the RocKwiz's airing this October at 9:20pm on Saturday nights on SBS.

    Said the King, “Like me, it was huge. I thoroughly enjoyed it and haven't stopped smiling since. It was a real buzz for the King. But seriously, I am just happy to have had an opportunity to put something back into the game. The industry has been so good to me and to be able to give a little bit back and paint some smiles on the faces of a few kids, that sort of thing is what makes it all worthwhile. I’m so delighted to have been blessed with this special gift that I have. It is a privilege to be able to share it and my press agent assures me it will pay off in the long run if I cut my normal autograph fee in half for everyone who tunes into my episode."

    Bushranger Golf will certainly be adding Da King’s appearance very soon to the all new Bushranger Golf  Famous Faces & Places page. It is currently under construction but watch out soon for a news item detailing the launch of this very special new BRG project.

    RocKwiz airs on SBS of a Saturday night at 9:20pm (check your local guide for details).

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    Boo bails up the field in the 4th Bushranger Golf Handicap Day at Sandy
    Sep 10, 2007

    The wily Warwick Stonehouse, an old-school Bushranger and a seasoned competitor on the golf course, has left the entire field in his wake in the 4th Bushranger Golf Handicap Day at the Sandringham Golf Links last Saturday. His six shot win has a definite aroma of highway robbery wafting around it but the local constabulary could find no hard evidence to convict the suspect and were forced to release him back into ‘decent’ society.

    In superb conditions, the field set off in bright sunshine with a whisper of breeze about and the course looking a treat. We were pleased to welcome new member Ben Otter who was very quickly referred to as ‘Ring of Bright Water’ which really got the movie trivia buffs thinking. It looked like he might make a huge splash in his first start in a field of this quality, but a string of three-putts on the front nine put him away early. After posting the long drive on the ninth, he had the nearest in the pin sewn up on the 10th until the last player in the field, Richard Fellner, played a gem that was all over the flagstick to get inside the new man and steal the bikkies. Below we see the winner Boo, Macca, Crocko and new Bushranger The Otter showing off their game-faces on the first tee.

    Group 1 news_1.jpg

    The other big mover on the day was a consistent Pw Jones who ground out a familiar workmanlike, no-frills round to be 7-over off the stick through 15 holes and well in the hunt. Alas, it was an 18-hole event and although we aren’t going to mention the words Van de Velde here, his collapse over the final three holes for a triple-par-triple finish was certainly a very ugly spectacle to watch. The tournament host hasn’t been in contention for some time and this week's implosion may have some of his backers wondering whether his game has passed its use-by date. In the end, he finished six shots adrift of the winner Boo, with Ian Crotty in third place another 5 shots further back. The rest of the field was tightly bunched with only four shots separating 3rd to 8th place. All the results are posted on the 4th Handicap Day Results and Gallery page.

    The next BRG event is the 5th Handicap Day on Saturday November 17 at the famous Yarra Bend Public Golf Course in Fairfield. After some of the big numbers posted at Sandringham, we will revert to the format that is the hacker's friend, the mighty stableford points system, to see if we can’t conjure a slightly closer result next time. If you think you will be teeing it up, please contact Matt at BRG via email or through our Contact page. Provisional entries are appreciated to help with planning and monies will be due the week of the event.

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    Bushranger Golf caught in the middle of another crazy golf media frenzy!
    Aug 28, 2007

    Bushranger Golf has once again been splashed all over the news as another frenzy of intense media activity has turned the white hot spotlight of public scrutiny on Australia’s largest online golf club. And it is all because we boast the most scurrilous collection of golfing rogues since the inmates of Pentridge launched their social golf and prison break club back in the 1970s. In the month of August, a range of tasty morsels either about or by Bushranger Golf members, have hit the bookshops and the news stands. Some of the latest coverage includes:

    In the August edition of Inside Social Golf, Bushranger Golf is profiled in a piece about the development of BRG and how easy it is to get an official Australian GAA Golf Handicap through Bushranger Golf. Inside Social Golf is distributed nationally to over 420 pro-shops and driving ranges and is available in more than 70 Victorian golf clubs every month. Ask in your pro-shop for a copy next time you are having a round. It is a great read for golfers who enjoy a hit and a laugh.

    There is also another course review by members of Bushranger Golf in th August edition. 2006 Kelly Gang Shootout Champ, Richard Fellner, 2006 William Buckley Classic Champ, Mick Van Raay and reigning The Bushranger Cup Champ, Michael Nolan hit the Ranfurlie Course at Amstel Golf Club with everything they had. PDFs of both these articles are available on the BRG Golf Resources page. To top things off, Richard Fellner also had a piece published entitled Around the World in 18 holes. To have a read, grab a copy of Inside Social Golf or go to Fore!com.au to read more of Richard's articles. And as if that wasn't enough, some members of BRG found time to review the 13th Beach Golf Links while on tour at the recent William Buckley Classic, and that article will be appearing in the next edition of Inside Social Golf. 

      ISG_Aug_07_H.gif   

    Pw Jones has also been writing for Golf Business News Magazine lately (under the pseudonym Matthew Pitt) and had a feature published this month on the owner and developer of Waterford Valley Golf Course, Gary Thompson. A PDF of the article will be available at BRG very soon. 2005 Bushranger Cup Champion Dominic Wall is a regular contributor to the magazine and a PDF of his article on the remarkable Mission Hills Golf Complex in China is available now on the our Golf Resources page.

    But that isn’t all Dom has been up to lately with the recent publication by Fairfax of his new book Golf Excellence. We are very pleased to report that Dom was able to wrangle a mention for Bushranger Golf in the book, ostensibly because our Pw Jones lent him some minor assistance, but more likely just to pump up the tyres of his favourite golf club in all the land. To read more about it, see the August 19 news item. To order your signed copy of the book through BRG, Contact Us and we’ll arrange delivery at the RRP of $39.95 plus postage. Bushranger Golf highly recommends Golf Excellence as a great read to improve your game and we wish Dom every success with the book.

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    Bushranger Golf member Dominic Wall writes new golf book: Golf Excellence
    Aug 19, 2007

    Those who have read every word of wisdom contained in the BRG pages of Great Golf Quotes page will know that the magical Seve Ballesteros once said, “To give yourself the best possible chance of playing to your potential, you must prepare for every eventuality.” It is a shame that Seve has just retired, because this idea is at the heart of a new golf book that could have helped to rejuvenate his game.

    Written by Dominic Wall (Bushranger Golf member and 2005 Bushranger Cup champion), Golf Excellence draws on Dom’s many years' experience with the AGU and Golf Australia and his work establishing Australia's elite golf development programs.

    The book starts by asking, “What does it take to become a champion golfer?” and then clearly explains the skills, process, KPIs and training regimes required to take your game to the pro level. It covers all aspects of elite development from mental and physical preparation, tour planning, sponsors, caddies and on-course strategies and it provides practical information on state, national and international tournaments and programs.

    While not a formal golf instruction manual, Golf Excellence does include tips from some of Australia’s leading coaches, sports science experts, sport psychologists and the key people behind the scenes at the Australian Institute of Sport Golf Program, including Mark Holland, John Crampton and Ramsay McMaster. The book also contains a number of insights, anecdotes and training ideas from some of the best young golfers Australia has produced over the last decade, including Robert Allenby, Lindsey Wright and Aaron Baddeley.

      Golf_Excellence.jpg

    We should note that Golf Excellence is not only for players aspiring to compete on the world stage. The information contained in Golf Excellence can be applied to any golfer or Bushranger who wants to improve their game. Published by Fairfax, the book was released this month and is available through all good bookstores. Thanks to Dom, personally signed copies are available exclusively through Bushranger Golf for the RRP of $39.95 plus postage and handling. Contact matt@bushrangergolf.com.au to order a singed copy of Golf Excellence. Naturally, it will make the perfect Christmas, Mothers' Day or Fathers' Day gift for your life partner or significant other.

    Golf Excellence
    ISBN-13:9781921190544
    ISBN-10:192119054X
    Author: Wall, Dominic
    Publisher: FAIRFAX
    Format: PAPERBACK
    Pages: 272
    Size: 244mm X 172mm
    Released (Aus): 01 Aug 2007
    AUD RRP: $39.95

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    Seve takes out the 4th BR Golf Handicap Day at the 13th Beach Golf Links!
    Aug 15, 2007

    In the tightest contest yet at a Bushranger Golf Handicap Day , the 2006 William Buckley Classic (WBC) Champion, Michael Mileo, has taken home the bikkies in what was a dramatic finish on the 18th green. Held last Friday August 10 on The Creek Course at The 13th Beach Golf Links, conditions were threatening and the heavens opened a couple of times to test the mettle of our sturdy Bushrangers.

    Playing in the last group, Seve posted a score of 38 stableford points to finish over the top of the clubhouse leaders Arbeige and Casha Brown, who had both managed 37 points playing in the first and second groups. Alas, it was Arbeige who pulled off a remarkable Van de Velde to hand the title to Seve on a platter. With 36 points after 17 holes and a stroke on 18, he was in a strong position teeing up on the last. Just short of the green in two, he chipped past the hole, then putted back over the ledge and took another two putts to get down from there to finish with a crazy double bogey and rip defeat out of the jaws of victory. Lucky for him he made up for it a couple of days later in the WBC. Below we see Seve proudly displaying his Bushranger Golf Handicap Day # 3 trophy.

    Seve_HD4_win_news.JPG

    Other winners on the day were Casha, who smashed out the longest drive, and Willo who took home the nearest the pin prize with some precision iron play on the short par 3 sixth hole. All the results and final placings are posted on the 3rd Handicap Day Results and Gallery page. We were pleased to welcome a number of new BRG players: Jean-Max Joly (with a BRG Handicap), Andrew Jennings, Mark Keeble and Dave Elliot.

    The next BRG event is the 4th Handicap Day on Saturday September 8th at the Sandringham Golf Links from 11 am. It will be a welcome return to springtime golf and all social golfers are welcome to join in the fun. For more info, go to the Handicap Day  page. If you are interested in competing, contact Matt at BRG via email or through our Contact page and be sure to get in early as places are limited and we have already taken a number of bookings.

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    The Bream Creek Freaks take out the thrilling 2007 William Buckley Classic!
    Aug 13, 2007

    The second William Buckley Classic has been run and won at The 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads and came right down to the final shot on the last hole. In a nail-biter of a finish, the two teams leading after the first round on 40 points, arrived at the 36th hole separated by only one shot. When the dust settled, it was the reigning Kelly Gang Shootout Champions, Arbeige & Mikey Dee, who took out a one point victory over the defending William Buckley Classic champs Da King & Seve. Tied in second place was 2004 Bushranger Cup champion Funky J playing with new Bushranger Macca. Below we see The Bream Creek Freaks after the presentation ceremony with the mighty Murrangurk Perpetual Trophy, clearly showing signs of the thoughtful and professional approach that carried them to the title.

    Crazy_WBC_Champs.JPG

     The podium placings are below. To see all the results, go to the 2007 WBC results page.

    Place

    Teams

    Day One

    Day Two

    Total

    Score

    1st

    Arbeige & Mikey Dee

    40 points

    38 points

    78 points

    - 6

    = 2nd

    Da Kingo & Seve

    40 points

    37 points

    77 points

    - 5

    = 2nd

    Funky J & Macca

    35 points

    42 points

    77 points

    - 5

    Thanks to the 26 hearty competitors who came along and made it a fun-packed weekend of golf and whacky adventures. The next Bushranger Golf event is the fourth Bushranger Golf Handicap Day on Saturday September 8 from 11am at the Sandringham Golf Links in Cheltenham (opposite Royal Melbourne GC). It is an individual stroke-play handicap golf event for a heap of great prizes that open to all handicap and social golfers.

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    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp is back at the 2007 US PGA Championship
    Aug 07, 2007

    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp (GMTC) is on again this week as the fourth and final major golf championship of the year, the 89th US PGA Championship, returns to the legendary Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This will be Southern Hills' fourth crack at the PGA (after 1970, 1982 and 1994) in addition to having hosted to three U.S. Opens. It should produce some fireworks this week and don't be surprised if someone isn't running around their room, banging on their pots and screaming "Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma..." at the top of their lungs by Sunday night.

    Last year Tiger took home the bikkies at the Medinah Country Club and after an eight shot win at the Bridgestone Invitational last week, he is at very short favourite to win again here. This year a dozen Aussies are lining up to be the first since the Elk in 1995 to jag one of these, with Peter Lonard poised as the 8th alternate to bring the Aussie count up to lucky 13. Meanwhile, Mick Tanner is preparing to defend his 2006 US PGA GMTC title won last year in ripping style by a massive six shots.

    The GMTC is a fun contest among golf-nuts to see who is the best golf major tipster in the world. Created by Starky, a man raised on the pain of years following The Great White Flake in the golf majors, the contest simply involves picking the seven golfers (usually excluding Tiger Woods) in the field who you think will perform best. It adds a slice of fun to watching your favourite players tee it up in the majors and a fair whack of pain as you ride shotgun with them as they bomb out with ridiculous course management and choking shot selection down the final stretch of the biggest tournaments in the world. The tipster whose team of seven tally the lowest combined score at the end of the tournament wins the event. History clearly shows that it is the team that consistently fails the least dismally over the entire gut-wrenching 72 holes that usually takes home the bikkies.

    The contest is a private event that has been running for a number of years among Starky’s mates. Since the start of the century, Starky has opened entry to a wider cross-section of golf nuts and it is growing every year. Bushranger Golf Members are welcome to apply to compete. If you are interested, contact me at matt@bushrangergolf.com.au with the subject line: Please sign me up for the GMTC! and I will make a submission on your behalf to Starky.

    Some of the regular rules are: 

    • Pick your top 7 golfers in order, EXCLUDING Tiger.
    • Players are to be selected in order so that in the event of a tie, your 7th selection would be dropped and the first 6 selections scores compared and so on until there is a winner. If this fails, the contest is declared a tie.
    • Cut or withdrawn golfers get the score of the last placed golfer to make the cut.
    • Multiple entries are allowed.
    • Entries are usually due by 5pm on the Thursday prior to the event.
    • Players are selected at your own risk!
    • Australian players are selected at your even greater risk.
    • Players are selected from an official spreadsheet.
    • Teams with witty and amusing names don't perform any better than the boring one's (e.g. Bob's Team # 2) but they should.
    • The winner is announced on the Monday following each major.
    • Starky reserves the right to change the rules before each major.

    To read more about it, go to The Golf Majors Tipping Comp page in The Campfire.

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    Enigmatic outlaw returns from the wilderness for a tilt at WBC at 13th Beach
    Jul 30, 2007

    e•nig•ma [uh-nig-muh] – noun

    1. a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation: His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation.
    2. a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma: one minute completely crazy, the next entirely insane.

    Dicko, Long Thin Dick, Lt. Dick, Lieutenant Dick, The Shabby Lieutenant. He is an enigma. A mystery, wrapped in a riddle, hidden in a conundrum and one of the most extraordinary examples of carbon-based life forms anywhere. Not only that, he is one of the reigning Bushranger Cup champions and he has just emerged from the wilderness, like Ned appearing through the fog on a cold Glenrowan morn, and put his hand up to contest the 2007 William Buckley Classic at the 13th Beach Golf Links. He joins fellow BC champ, The Gasometer (Michael Nolan), for a tilt at the 2nd leg of The Shabby Dot Com Tour Grand Slam. Below we see Ace, JP, Dicko & Gaso after their powerful Bushranger Cup victory earlier this year.

    07_BC_champs_happy.JPG

    The other twelve teams in the 2007 WBC, starting with the defending champions, are:

    Da Kingo
    Seve

    H H Willo
    Quigley

    Arbeige
    Mikey Dee

    The Hominator
    Pw Jones

    Funky J
    Mr MacTreat

    Boo
    Nugget

    The Casha
    Davo

    Lambo
    The Baker

    Crocko-Diddio
    Bastros

    Rossco
    The Big C

    The Rose
    Keebs

    Neilo Hocko
    Robbo Hocko


    The field will tee off on Saturday August 11 at the Beach Course from 11:40am and on The Creek Course on the Sunday from 9:08am. The competition is teams of two playing ambrose for stableford points. It should be hotly contested with the field chasing the mark of 81 points set by inaugural champs Kingo & Seve last year at Moonah and Eagle Ridge.

    We also have 16 starters on the Friday for the third Bushranger Golf Handicap Day on August 10. We are teeing up on the Creek Course from 11:00 am for 18 holes of individual stableford to get the gloating rights for the weekend off to a flying start. Keep an eye out here for news on all the mayhem and the results from what will be a belter of a weekend.

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    BRG members go close again in the British Open Golf Majors Tipping Comp
    Jul 24, 2007

    The third Golf Majors Tipping Comp (GMTC) has been decided and they don’t come any closer. Whilst humble Paddy H was stitching up Serge at the 2007 Open Championship at Carnasty, our 54 hole GMTC leader, Daz Gordon, hung on to win the claret tipping jug by one shot from Dutchy with kiwi hacker Richie Weir another shot further back in third. The top 10 and scores were:

    1st

    D. Gordon

    - 6

    6th

    A. Wilson

    + 2

    2nd

    Dutchy

    - 5

    7th

    Quigley 

    + 8

    3rd

    R. Weir

    - 4

    8th

    A. Zoppa

    + 9

    4th

    G. New

    - 2

    9th

    B. Carter

    + 11

    5th

    H. H.*Willo

    - 1

    10th

    M. Tanner

    + 13

    Bushrangers Willo and Quigley made it through to the pointy end and were tantalisingly close to breaking the major championship drought among the Bushrangers who compete in the GMTC. Hot on the heels of Pw Jones' second place at the US Open GMTC last month, Willo managed 5th place and Quigley came in 7th. Both made storming finishes thanks to team member, new Open Champ and engravers' nightmare, Padraig Harrington. To read more about this historic event and bone up on the past champs, go to the Golf Majors Tipping Comp page in The Campfire.

    The next dose of Major Championship golf action is in just under three weeks time, with four of the biggest events in the world of golf being staged on the same weekend in August:

    1. The 89th US PGA Championship is being contested at the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 9 – 12 August.
    2. The US PGA Golf Majors Tipping Comp is up for grabs that same weekend.
    3. The 3rd Bushranger Golf Handicap Day is on at The Creek Course at 13th Beach on Friday August 10.
    4. The  The William Buckley Classic is being contested at the 13th Beach Golf Links on August 11 & 12 with competitors lodging on-course in the Hawthorn Suite Apartments.

    A select few Bushrangers will compete in three of four of these events and have the rare opportunity of taking out the greatest simultaneous back-to-back-to-back triple crown in the world of golf: the BRG Handicap Day, the WBC and the US PGA GMTC Simultaneous Triple Golfing Crown Bonanza.....of Golf. Good luck!

    *Hungry Hungry

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    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp is back this week at The 2007 British Open
    Jul 16, 2007

    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp (GMTC) is on again this week as the major golf championship of the year returns after the silliness of the scoring bonanza at the first two Yankee majors. The 2007 Open Championship returns to Carnasty in Scotland, known as one of the toughest courses in the world and the memorable scene of the gruesome van de Velde implosion on the 72nd hole in 1999. In case you don't recall, he needed a double on the last to win and produced a crazy triple to get in a playoff, which he lost. That year was also the last time our Popeye was in major contention as he played with JvdV in the final pairing and held the lead before smashing a tripsky on the 12th and missing the playoff by one shot.

    Last year, Tiger claimed his second consecutive Open and so is trying this year to equal Parkville's own Peter Thompson's run from 54-56. The other defending champ is Blair Jenkins who claimed his first GMTC major in 89 starts at the 2006 Open Championship when he held on for a thrilling one shot win over Nathan McGuirk and John D'Apice. This year, 22 Australasians (as always, we invoke the Split Enz Rule and claim the Kiwis when they go ok) are lining up in the 136th Open and will be sure to torment the GMTC tipsters who dare to fly the local flag in their selections.

    The GMTC is a fun contest among golf-nuts to see who is the best golf major tipster in the world. Created by Starky, a man raised on the pain of years following The Great White Flake in the golf majors, the contest simply involves picking the seven golfers (excluding Tiger Woods and usually a few other big names) in the field who you think will perform best. It adds a slice of fun to watching your favourite players tee it up in the majors and a fair whack of pain as you ride shotgun with them as they bomb out with ridiculous course management and choking shot selection down the final stretch of the biggest tournaments in the world. The tipster whose team of seven tally the lowest combined score at the end of the tournament wins the event. History clearly shows that it is the team that consistently fails the least dismally over the entire gut-wrenching 72 holes that usually takes home the bikkies.

    The contest is a private event that has been running for a number of years among Starky’s mates. Since the start of the century, Starky has opened entry to a wider cross-section of golf nuts and it is growing every year. Bushranger Golf Members are welcome to apply to compete. If you are interested, contact me at matt@bushrangergolf.com.au with the subject line: Please sign me up for the GMTC! and I will make a submission on your behalf to Starky.

    Some of the regular rules are: 

    • Pick your top 7 golfers in order, EXCLUDING Tiger.
    • Players are to be selected in order so that in the event of a tie, your 7th selection would be dropped and the first 6 selections scores compared and so on until there is a winner. If this fails, the contest is declared a tie.
    • Cut or withdrawn golfers get the score of the last placed golfer to make the cut.
    • Multiple entries are allowed.
    • Entries are usually due by 5pm on the Thursday prior to the event.
    • Players are selected at your own risk!
    • Australian players are selected at your even greater risk.
    • Players are selected from an official spreadsheet.
    • Teams with witty and amusing names don't perform any better than the boring one's (e.g. Bob's Team # 2) but they should.
    • The winner is announced on the Monday following each major.
    • Starky reserves the right to change the rules before each major.

    To read more about it, go to The Golf Majors Tipping Comp page in The Campfire.

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    Rossco takes out the second Bushranger Golf Handicap Day in style
    Jul 09, 2007

    In a thrilling finish, Ross Mitchell has taken the bikkies in the second Bushranger Golf Handicap Day held last Saturday at Waterford Valley Golf Course in Melbourne's east. After a morning of clear skies, conditions toughened up once the Bushrangers were on course and persistent drizzle set in for the day. Playing in the first group of the day, Rossco posted a score of 38 stableford points and then kicked back in the clubhouse by the fire and watched his rivals, one by one, straggle home to the scorers hut.

    His main challenge came from Crocko-Diddio, the winner of the inaugural Handicap Day at Growling Frog. After a blistering opening that included two birdies, the Diddio had his second consecutive title wrapped up holding a massive lead with just a few holes to  play. Unfortunately, he completely self-destructed on the closing holes with an amazing Van de Velde to hand the title to Rossco on a platter.

    Having dominated the course with a superb round that had him four over off the stick through 15 holes, Crocko stood on the beautiful short par four 16th with the whiff of victory in his nostrils and a few snappy ideas for the opening of his acceptance speech. Needing only to play the last three holes in four over, he somehow conjured back-to-back-to-back double bogies to lose by one shot. Ha ha ha ha! Good one Diddio. Another shot further back on 36 points was Slammin' Sammy and then it was daylight to fourth place as the damp and chilly conditions played havoc with nearly all the remaining Bushrangers.

    Diddio did manage to grab the first Nearest the Pin. Arbeige, as he so often does, jagged the Longest Drive with a big bomb on the 12th and Travis Madden, playing in his first BRG event, took home the Nearst the Pin on the very tricky 17th. All the results are posted on the 2nd Handicap Day Results and Gallery page.

    We were pleased to welcome six players with new BRG Handicaps (one of which was the winner) and a number more who are in the process and will have their handicaps finalised in time for our next event. It was also a historic day with the first female competitor in a BRG event, Elaine Kwok, teeing it up to score her fifth and final card for her handicap.

    The next BRG event is the 3rd Handicap Day on August 10th at the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads. This event is the start of a three day golfing bonanza as it serves as the warm up for the 2007 William Buckley Classic (WBC) being staged at the same venue on that weekend of August 11 and 12. WBC payments are due this week and packages are available for competitors looking to play in both events. If you haven't alrady registered and are interested in competing in the WBC, contact Matt at BRG via email or through our Contact page.

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    Field of 20 saddle up for the second Bushranger Golf Handicap Day
    Jul 05, 2007

    Twenty unscrupulous Bushrangers have mounted themselves and formed a posse to make a daring raid on the mighty Waterford Valley Golf Course in Rowville this Saturday in the 2nd Bushranger Golf Handicap Day. With more than $300 worth of prizes on offer for those with official handicaps, the competition is sure to be fierce and by days end will probably have descended in to something resembling an episode of The Whacky Races.

    We are pleased to welcome five new members who are all braving the elements to make their debuts this weekend in a Bushranger Golf event. The complete field and tee times are available on the Handicap Day page. We will also be distributing 18 golf balls courtesy of Golf Australia – three balls each go to the six players who have all recently signed up for official Golf Access Australia handicaps through BRG.

    The format this time is stableford, for two very good reasons:

    1. At the First BRG Handicap Day we played stroke and Ian “Its just a bit of panel damage honey” Crocko-Diddio spreadeagled the field with a five-shot win. Since stableford is traditionally the hackers format  that allows for the odd blow-out hole, the rest of the field may have a chance this time.

    2. This is the beginning of the Bushranger Golf Winter of Stableford! The William Buckley Classic (August 11 & 12) at the 13th Beach Golf Links is a weekend event for pairs playing a two ball ambrose stableford format. The 3rd Handicap Day will be held on Friday August 10 at 13th Beach and will be an individual stableford handicap event run as a warm up for the WBC.

    Watch out here next week for the results, a photo gallery and a full report on who managed to scramble across the line in the 2nd Handicap Day to claim the bikkies. It is sure to be an afternoon of skulduggery with a plenty of laughs on the side. Below we see the handicapper Pw Jones and his caddie making their way down the Northern Highway to get to Waterford Valley to compete on Saturday.

    Dastardly___Mutley.gif

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    Over $300 of prizes at our 2nd Golf Handicap Day at Waterford Valley!
    Jun 12, 2007

    Bushranger Golf is hosting its second social golf Handicap Day in four weeks and has amassed a prize pool so large that we are threatening the amateur status of the event. With over $300 worth of prizes up for grabs, competitors may need to turn pro to be eligible to enter. At this stage, competitors only need to hold an official Australian Handicap to qualify to compete. Golfers without a handicap can join in the fun but aren’t eligible to win the prizes. If you want to enter but don’t have a handicap, go to our Golf Handicaps page to read how we allocate official handicaps to members around Australia.

    The shootout at the first Handicap Day in Yan Yean last month saw Crocko Diddio splinter the field with a blistering 79 off the stick at Growling Frog to win by 5 shots. This time we move out east to take on the mighty Waterford Valley Golf Course in Rowville, Melbourne’s newest pay for play championship course which is fast building a reputation as one of the best in town.

    This time we will switch to the hackers favourite format, the ever-reliable stableford system. This should encourage some attacking play, hopefully get a close result and help the poor Bushrangers who suffer brain explosion holes for fark-tuple bogies that kill their stroke scores. In the event of a tie, we will have a sudden death playoff on hole 10 and then hole 18 if required. If both the playoff holes are halved, we will go to a sudden death putt-off on the massive Waterford Valley practice green.

    Where: Waterford Valley Golf Course, Bunjil Way, Rowville: Melways Map 73 D5
    When: Saturday July 7 from 11am
    Who: It is an open event for all golfers to enjoy
    How much: $65 to walk or $78 to cart ($70 & $83 for non-members)
    How: Payments are required by EFT by 4pm, Thursday June 28
    What: 18 holes of stableford in an official handicap competition (BRG will enter the results on GOLF Link) with mates playing for glory, a trophy and over $300 worth of prizes.

    1st Place Prizes:
    A BRG trophy and golf ball
    A bottle of Bushranger Shiraz
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher
    A voucher for a cart & two green fees on a weekday at Waterford Valley     		2nd Place Prizes:
    A BRG golf ball
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher
    A voucher for a cart & two green fees on a weekday at Waterford Valley
    3rd Place Prizes:
    A BRG golf ball
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher
    A bottle of Bushranger Shiraz     		Nearest the Pin & Longest Drive Prizes:
    A BRG golf ball
    A Golf Clearance Outlet voucher

    How to book:

    • Email matt@bushrangergolf.com.au now to reserve places for yourself and any mates.
    • Include your name and any friends joining you
    • Include your GOLF Link number(s) if applicable
    • Note whether you are walking or carting
    • EFT your payment by June 28

    For EFT payment details and to read more about the event, go to The Bushranger Golf Handicap Day page.

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    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp is back this week at The 2007 US Open
    Jun 11, 2007

    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp (GMTC) is on again this week with the second major golf championship of the year rolling around as the US Open returns to the famous Oakmonster for 2007. Last year our Geoff Ogilvy was gifted his first major victory when Lefty Phil, Swing-hitch Jim and Big 'Ole Whiney Monty all imploded at the finish. This year a dozen Aussies are lining up in Pennsylvania for the 108th Open and back here, Nick Reed is preparing to defend the US Open GMTC title he won last year in ripping style.

    The GMTC is a fun contest among golf-nuts to see who is the best golf major tipster in the world. Created by Starky, a man raised on the pain of years following The Great White Flake in the golf majors, the contest simply involves picking the seven golfers (usually excluding Tiger Woods) in the field who you think will perform best. It adds a slice of fun to watching your favourite players tee it up in the majors and a fair whack of pain as you ride shotgun with them as they bomb out with ridiculous course management and choking shot selection down the final stretch of the biggest tournaments in the world. The tipster whose team of seven tally the lowest combined score at the end of the tournament wins the event. History clearly shows that it is the team that consistently fails the least dismally over the entire gut-wrenching 72 holes that usually takes home the bikkies.

    The contest is a private event that has been running for a number of years among Starky’s mates. Since the start of the century, Starky has opened entry to a wider cross-section of golf nuts and it is growing every year. Bushranger Golf Members are welcome to apply to compete. If you are interested, contact me at matt@bushrangergolf.com.au with the subject line: Please sign me up for the GMTC! and I will make a submission on your behalf to Starky.

    Some of the regular rules are: 

    • Pick your top 7 golfers in order, EXCLUDING Tiger.
    • Players are to be selected in order so that in the event of a tie, your 7th selection would be dropped and the first 6 selections scores compared and so on until there is a winner. If this fails, the contest is declared a tie.
    • Cut or withdrawn golfers get the score of the last placed golfer to make the cut.
    • Multiple entries are allowed.
    • Entries are usually due by 5pm on the Thursday prior to the event.
    • Players are selected at your own risk!
    • Australian players are selected at your even greater risk.
    • Players are selected from an official spreadsheet.
    • Teams with witty and amusing names don't perform any better than the boring one's (e.g. Bob's Team # 2) but they should.
    • The winner is announced on the Monday following each major.
    • Starky reserves the right to change the rules before each major.

    To read more about it, go to The Golf Majors Tipping Comp page in The Campfire.

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    Bushranger Golf hosts two social golf events back-to-back this August
    Jun 05, 2007

    For the first time, Bushranger Golf will host two social golf events on the one mighty weekend. The 2nd William Buckley Classic is scheduled for the weekend of August 11 & 12 at the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads. At every Bushranger Golf weekend event, there are golf nuts who can’t get enough action and get involved early for a warm-up round on the Friday. With this in mind, we have decided to run the third Bushranger Golf Handicap Day at 13th Beach on Friday August 10th as a prelude to the WBC.

    13th Beach boasts 36 great holes of golf and on-course accommodation in the Hawthorn Suites apartments. The Beach Course designed by Tony Cashmore (The Dunes, Heritage) opened in 2001 and is rated by Golf Australia Magazine as the 5th best public access course in Australia. The Creek Course was designed by Cashmore together with perennial crowd favourite Nick Faldo. It opened in 2004 and GAM rates it as the 12th best public access course in all the land.

    The Handicap Day will be 18 holes of singles stableford action on the Beach Course on the  afternoon of Friday August 10. The William Buckley Classic is 36 holes over two days of 2-ball best ball stableford. To make life easy for Bushrangers, we have structured a second package for the WBC this year that covers both events. The two events are seperate tournaments and, as such, they can also be entered independantly if a golfer can make it to one and not the other. BRG members, their guests and indeed all golfers who enjoy a hit and a laugh, are welcome to join in the fun. Note, as it is an official singles golf event, only players with an Australian handicap (or those in the process of obtaining a handicap through BRG) can compete for the Handicap Day trophy and prizes on offer. To find out more, go to our Handicap Day page.

    To lay the icing on the cake for the WBC weekend, we have made arrangements to cater for the total golf aficionados. A deluxe package is available that includes entry in both the events and three nights accommodation at the on-course Hawthorn Suites starting on the Thursday evening to get the weekend rolling in massive style. To read all about the range of packages available, go to the 2007 WBC Preparations Page. Places are already filling for the WBC. If you are interested in playing in one or both of the events or have any questions, contact matt@bushrangergolf.com.au to reserve your spot in these illustrious fields. Below is a reminder of what is at stake: the superb Murrangurk Perpetual Trophy that goes to the winners of the William Buckley Classic.

    Murrangurk_Trophy.JPG

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    BRG set to receive huge funding boost with new drugs tolerance policy!
    May 27, 2007

    In the light of the demands made by the Federal Government of the AFL last week, Bushranger Golf has decided to undertake a full and comprehensive review of its drug taking policies and testing procedures.

    The Federal Sports Minister, Senator George Brandis, met with representatives of the AFL last Friday and demanded change to the AFL’s three strikes policy as it was not compatible with a zero tolerance approach to drugs. Although the AFL appears to be taking the lead ahead of nearly every sporting code in Australia with a very professional, conscientious, responsible, sophisticated, considered, ethically articulate, socially aware and community minded approach to dealing with this complex issue, Mr Brandis said the AFL’s policy, “…fails to meet the Government's expectations and community standards."

    Taking a stance that seems completely out of step with the recognised best practice of all sports drug testing agencies the world over, Senator Brandis painted the issue in two-tone black and white, saying, "The position of the Australian Government in relation to drugs in sport is one of zero tolerance." However, drug-testing agencies tend not to adopt a zero tolerance policy as testing procedures can never be 100% accurate. Indeed, to protect the innocent from wrongful accusations, it is standard practice to test three times to guard against the small chance that two consecutive incorrect results could find an innocent party guilty of drug use. The AFL has clearly adopted these globally accepted best practices in their policies and procedures.

    At Bushranger Golf, we pride ourselves on the speed and accuracy of our knee-jerk reactions and small minded approach to addressing serious and complex community issues with far reaching social consequences. Hence, we will be following the Federal Governments lead on this matter and immediately implementing an exacting and comprehensive out-of-season testing regimes to ensure that all competitors in Bushranger Golf events meet our extreme drug taking standards and comply with our new policy of less than zero tolerance to shabby performance enhancing activities.

    To avoid any accusations of hypocrisy, double standards and/or a conflict of interest, all BRG management and staff will all be rigorously tested for any trace of performance enhancing and recreational drugs, both during and out of competition. We accept that Bushrangers are the same type of community role models as our politicians and footy stars, and so we need to be subject to the same community standards. Naturally, we are certain the federal government will be pleased to subsidise us in what is a very costly process, but which we need to implement with an iron fist. At BRG, we always prefer to lock everyone up and throw away the key, rather than risk ever letting a guilty individual walk free.

    Our hope is that by ignoring the years of detailed research and the best practice recommendations of all the leading sports medicine and drug testing organisations throughout the world, we will significantly increase our opportunities of receiving Federal Government funding. The Government has threatened to withdraw the AFL’s annual funding and we are very confident that with our uncompromising zero tolerance policy among Bushrangers we will have an excellent opportunity to garner a large slice of the redistribution of the funds currently allocated to the AFL.

    Post Script:

    The Howard Governments’ position on this issue appears truly bizarre given that of the 89 sports receiving Federal Government funding, the AFL is the only one to have implemented an out of season testing regime. Furthermore, unlike all other major Australian professional sporting codes funded by the Federal government, the AFL players voluntarily (they are not obliged to do it) agreed to out of season testing. In spite of all this, Mr Brandis accused the AFL of being lenient (read soft) on drugs in sport.

    The response to the Governments position throughout the community has been swift and profoundly in support of the AFL’s position. The AFL’s policy, developed over two years with detailed input from a broad range of specialists in the field and engaging participation from a range of organisations including the Australian Drug Foundation, has been endorsed Sports Medicine Australia, the director of addiction medicine at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Professor Jon Currie, and a broad cross section of professionals in this specialised field.

    AFL Players' Association CEO Brendon Gale said, "As the representative body of over 700 young AFL players, we don't have our head in the sand over issues facing players.  We're at the coalface, dealing with these issues every day.” Mr Gale, also commented last week that, “We're told and we continue to be told by experts as recently as today that this policy is the most appropriate method in which to attack a community problem and problem to which, to which, obviously AFL football and most sports aren't immune.”

    Last Thursday, the AFL Players' Association issued a list of questions in response to the criticism from the Federal Government, which included the asking, “Will the Government Ministers be requiring all politicians and senior public servants to submit themselves to random illicit drug testing with persons being subject to termination on testing positive at any time?” To read the rest of the questions, go to the AFLPA website.

    AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou told the ABC last week, “We've taken a medical approach to this policy, and that's based on the Federal Government's diversionary policy, where what we do is we intervene, we try and change the behaviour of a person by getting some counselling to that person on a first strike. If they repeat, they get further counselling and extensive target testing. And all our research and all the best experts that we've spoken to have told us that that is our best chance of changing people's behaviour. And that's in line with the Federal Government's policy.”

    Fortunately for Mr Brandis, at the meeting with the AFL last Friday he had in tow the Minister for the Ageing, Christopher Pyne, presumably to lend some assistance in case the Minister for Sport made himself physically and mentally unwell if perchance any antiquated, puerile, draconian, morally bereft, reactionary and socially senile dogma tumbled out of his pie-hole. Mr Pyne’s progressive views on this issue give a valuable insight into the quality and substance of the advice he offers Mr. Howard in his role as the Prime Minister's key adviser on illicit drugs. Although this title makes it sound like he might be the PM’s dealer, this would seem not to be the case.

    That the Federal Government has come out swinging so feverishly and apparently unprepared (their submission to the AFL was a one-page document with factual errors), this entire issue reeks of a beat up and a bit of political smoke-screening, grandstanding, finger pointing, electioneering and blame gaming. What their true agenda was is not entirely clear. Perhaps, given the timing, it was simply intended to pull focus from the AFL’s indigenous Round this week which appears to be a sore point with the Government and the Prime Minister in particular, given their opposing views on indigenous issues.

    If the AFL has had this policy in place for more than two years, why did the government choose last Friday make their move? And if they feel so strongly about this, why have they done nothing about it before now? It took two years to develop before implementation, so the Federal Government has taken more than four years to let the AFL know their concerns. We at BRG aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, but something here isn't quite adding up as it should. Most things we feel passionate about may take four days, or even four weeks to deal with, but four years usually means the horse has bolted.

    The frightening reality is that if the Government is genuinely serious about this approach to employers testing employees for recreational drugs, then the consequences in workplaces around Australia are so fantastic as to beggar belief. With this in mind, BRG will be sure to sack and rehire all BRG staff, before, during AND after all drug testing, and we will deduct the costs of the testing procedures from employees wages until we have been reimbursed by the government. Then, whether or not they pass or fail the tests, we will simply require employees to pay us for the privilege of being entitled to come to work at BRG, for 26 hours a day, day in, and day out. Moreover, at the end of each day’s yakka, our mum and our dad will kill our employees and dance on their graves singing hallelujah. It has long been said that a bad day on the golf course is always better than a good day at work. It would seem this maxim is truer in Australia today than it ever has been before.

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    Diddio breaks drought of golf wins with a sizzling 67 at The Growling Frog
    May 21, 2007

    In a stellar performance in very testing conditions, the man they call Crocko-Diddio has come through to win the first Bushranger Golf Handicap Day by the length of the straight. Yesterday the Growling Frog Golf Course threw up howling wind and a few brief showers of sideways rain to test our hardy highwaymen as they battled it out for the honours in what is the first individual strokeplay event run by Bushranger Golf, and our first official event to count towards players’ handicaps. Below we see the winner expressing himself at the presentation ceremony with his trophy and the first ever bottle of Bushranger Shiraz.

    Crocko booty_1.jpg

    Now that Bushranger Golf is supplying official GAA affiliate golf handicaps to social golfers in Australia, we are running Handicap Days to help members by hosting official club events that can count towards their handicaps. The next BRG handicap day is planned for July at the superb Waterford Valley Golf Course in Melbourne’s east. Watch our news items for an announcement of the date very soon. Rumours are already circulating that it will be a stableford event in preparation for the big weekend of ambrose stableford to be played in August at The William Buckley Classic.

    To read all the results and to see a gallery of images of the action, goto the BRG 1st Handicap Day Results and Gallery page. In other golf-related news, yesterday Bushranger Golf member Pw Jones won his match 6 & 4 to help Heathcote GC to a 3-2 victory in the BDGA Division 3 Pennant final.

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    BRG hosting its first handicap social golf event in two weeks!
    May 07, 2007

    Bushranger Golf is allocating handicaps to members around Australia through the Golf Access Australia program and we want to make Bushranger Golf Australia’s largest online golf club. To find out how to get an official Australian affiliate handicap through Bushranger Golf, go to our Golf Handicaps page.

    To allow members to maintain their handicaps, we are hosting BRG Handicap Days. These are official handicap events and after the competition we will enter the scores on GOLF Link to update participants' handicaps. All golfers with handicaps are welcome to join in the competition. Golfers without handicaps are welcome to play and these days are a great opportunity to submit one of the five cards required to get your handicap started. However, players without handicaps cannot compete for the trophy and prizes on offer (unless they are a BRG member, known to the BRG handicapper and in the process of obtaining a handicap, in which case they will be allocated a provisional BRG handicap for the day). The day is also a great chance to get out and have a fun time golfing with mates and to meet new people who share a passion for our great game. The first BRG Handicap Day is:

    Where: The Growling Frog Golf Course
    When: Saturday May 19, from noon
    Who: It is an open event for all golfers to enjoy
    How much: $45 to play and another $15 more for a golf cart (if required)
    How soon: Payments are required by EFT by 4pm, Monday May 14
    What: 18 holes of strokeplay for a  trophy, prizes & glory
    How to book:

    • Email matt@bushrangergolf.com.au at least one week prior to the event to reserve places for yourself and any mates.
    • Include your name and any friends joining you
    • Include your GOLF Link number(s) if applicable
    • Note whether you are walking or carting
    • EFT your payment by 4pm, Monday May 14

    We are planning on hosting BRG Handicap Days every two months at courses at various locations around Melbourne with plans to expand the schedule in the future. To start we are heading north to Growling Frog and the plan from there is:

    • July 2007 at Waterford Valley Golf (to the east of Melbourne)
    • September 2007 at Sandringham (to the south)
    • November 2007 at Yarra Bend (in the middle)

    For EFT payment details and to read more about the event, go to The Bushranger Golf Handicap Day page.

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    The EO Melbourne Golf Challenge at Waterford Valley Golf Course
    Apr 30, 2007

    EO_Logo_WonB_small.jpg

    The Inaugural EO Melbourne Golf Challenge has been run and won at The Waterford Valley Golf Course. Last Friday, a field of EO members and their guests set about trying to golf themselves into entrepreneurial immortality.

    With the BOM predicting some moisture during the day, the field took to the course in benign conditions but prepared to tackle the elements. Without a breath of wind on the front nine, 14 teams of pairs attacked Waterford Valley playing a modified two-ball best-score stableford format to fight it out for the EO Melbourne Golf Challenge Perpetual Trophy.

    After a terrific contest, Adam Mayhood and Steve Hair took out the title. To read all the details of the results, including the nearest the pin, longest drive and the best round prizes, go to the EO Melbourne Golf Challenge page. It also has links to galleries with photographic evidence of the fun that took place. To read all the event details and profiles on the players, have a look at the Inaugural EO Golf Challenge tournament program.

    EO_Trophies.JPG 

    The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global community of business owners, founded in the 1980s. It has more than 6,000 members with over 120 chapters in 40 countries around the world. The Melbourne EO chapter regularly runs events and the Inaugural EO Melbourne Golf Challenge was the group’s first golf tournament. Bushranger Golf was engaged to manage the event, held on  Friday April 27, 2007 at Melbourne's newest championship layout, the Waterford Valley Golf Course in Rowville.

    Thanks to Sam and the team at The Golf Clearance Outlet for sponsoring the event with a contribution of gifts for the participants and help with the EO golf balls and hats for the day. Thanks also to Sam Saltis from EO Melbourne for all his efforts arranging the event, all the team at the Waterford Valley Golf Course, and to Roger Brown for creating the perpetual trophy and helping out on the day.

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    Bushrangers needed to have fun golfing for The EJ Whitten Foundation!
    Apr 14, 2007

    Bushranger Golf was contacted this week by the organisers of The 2007 Pub Golf Challenge to ask for our help. They need us to go out on the golf course and have fun with our mates. Tough gig! The Pub Golf Challenge is a national social golf tournament for teams of four. The format is Aggregate Stableford, meaning all four scores are counted. To put the reins on any bandits, groups play as split pairs, so your team is divided and you and one mate are grouped with a pair from another team.

    The highest official men’s handicap allowed is 27. Players without official handicaps can compete by nominating their ‘alleged’ handicap. However, the maximum unofficial men's handicap allowed is 18. Hence, if you are a longer marker, go to The BRG Handicaps page now and get moving on obtaining an official GAA handicap through Bushranger Golf ASAP.

    Each team chooses a pub to represent and plays in one of the 58 regional qualifying events around Australia. The regional qualifiers play off in the state finals; and the state winners go to the national final on the Gold Coast. The national champions and their chosen publican win a five-night trip to Las Vegas to compete against the champion British pub team. Not too shabby.

    		  Whitten_Foundation.gif

    The best part is The Pub Golf Challenge is a national project, run in conjunction with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), to raise money for The EJ Whitten Foundation in the fight against prostate cancer. This means entrants get to have a great time and support a very worthy cause. Here is the deal:

    Entry & Info: www.pubgolf.com.au or call 1300 300 516.
    Who: Anyone can enter a team; just nominate a pub to represent.
    Cost: $99.00 per person + GST ($396.00 per team + GST)
    When: Qualifying mostly in May & June, 2007
    Where: See the website for details or click here to download The Pub Golf Challenge Poster PDF with information including the list of participating golf courses and dates.

    The package includes:

    • beer and pies for lunch on arrival
    • registration gift pack
    • green fees (for all the rounds)
    • refreshments throughout the rounds
    • prize presentation reception after the round
    • refreshments during the reception
    • airfares & accommodation for National Finalists
    • great prizes including the winners trip to Vegas
    • the entry fee covers qualifying & all subsequent rounds

    Not only is it great value and great fun, it is for a great cause. So get your team of four together, contact your favourite neighbourhood publican, get your Bushranger Golf handicap and enter a team now. Giddy up. Cheers,

    Pw Jones (Probable 2007 Pub Golf Champion…..of the world!)

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    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp is back this week at The 2007 US Masters
    Mar 31, 2007

    The Golf Majors Tipping Comp (GMTC) is on again this week with the first major golf championship of the year rolling around as we prepare to make another heartbreaking trip down Magnolia Lane for the 2007 US Masters.

    The GMTC is a fun contest among golf-nuts to see who is the best golf major tipster in the world. Created by Starky, a man raised on the pain of years following The Great White Flake in the golf majors, the contest simply involves picking the seven golfers (usually excluding Tiger Woods) in the field who you think will perform best. The tipster whose team of seven tally the lowest combined score at the end of the "tooonament" (as Hootie Johnson would say), wins the event.

    It adds a slice of fun to watching your favourite players tee it up in the majors and a fair whack of pain as you watch them bomb out with ridiculous course management and hopeless shots that you are certain you could have played better yourself because, unlike the blokes you've selected, you aren’t a hopeless, choking, hacking, complacent, lazy, millionaire, jet-setting golf pro with nothing better to do between rounds than sit around counting your money and editing the daily updates to your little black book.

    The contest is a private event that has been running for a number of years among Starky’s mates. Since the G.W. Flake’s retirement, Starky has opened entry to a wider cross-section of golf nuts and it has really started to gather momentum. Bushranger Golf Members are welcome to apply to compete. If you are interested, contact me at matt@bushrangergolf.com.au with the subject line: Please sign me up for the GMTC! and I will make a submission on your behalf to Starky.

    Some of the regular rules are: 

    • Pick your top 7 golfers in order, EXCLUDING Tiger.
    • Players are to be selected in order so that in the event of a tie, your 7th selection would be dropped and the first 6 selections scores compared and so on until there is a winner. If this fails, the contest is declared a tie.
    • Cut or withdrawn golfers get the score of the last placed golfer to make the cut.
    • Multiple entries are allowed.
    • Entries are due by 5pm on the Thursday prior to the event.
    • Players are selected at your own risk!
    • Australian players are selected at your even greater risk.
    • Players are selected from an official spreadsheet.
    • Teams with witty and amusing names don't perform any better than the boring one's (e.g. Bob's Team # 2) but they should.
    • The winner is announced on the Monday following each major.
    • Starky reserves the right to change the rules before each major.

    To read more about it, go to The Golf Majors Tipping Comp page in The Campfire.

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    The Ben Hall Gang steals the glory in the tightest ever Bushranger Cup!
    Mar 26, 2007

    The 4th annual Bushranger Cup has been run and won in thrilling fashion at The Dunes and Moonah Links on the Mornington Peninsula. The Ben Hall Gang has come through with a superb final round 64 to hold off a ferocious field in the tightest Cup yet. After three absorbing days of competition and outrageous Bushranging from all sections of the field, only 10 shots separated first and last place.

    Tournament Director Pw Jones later suggested this thrilling result was a win for handicappers the world over, but no one took any notice of him. All eyes were on the new champions Ace, The Gasometer, The Shabby Lieutenant and the mysterious JP. Below we see JP holing the final putt on the 18th at The Moonah Links Legends Course as Lt Dick looks on.

    Final_07_BC_putt.jpg

    Coming into the event they seemed an unlikely chance as they were mostly unfamiliar with each other's games before the first round. Indeed, some had purported to not even be in possession of a game before Friday. However, after a thorough examination by three great golf courses, the authorities have declared that they definitely all have been found to be in possession of illicit golfing abilities which helped them pinch the Bushranger Cup from under the noses of a scurrilous field of 32 ferocious competitors. With four superb rounds in the 60's in tough scoring conditions, they were worthy winners, besting last years champions, The Kelly Gang, by three shots.

    A comprehensive wrap of all the thrills, highlights, scores and photo galleries of all the action will be posted today and tomorrow. Below are the overall final results and links to the results page with more details.

    Place

    Gang

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Rnd 4

    Total

    Par

    1st

    Ben Hall Gang

    64

    67

    68

    64

    263

    - 19

    2nd

    The Kelly Gang

    64

    68

    67

    67

    266

    - 16

    3rd

    Aaron Sherritt

    67

    69

    69

    65

    270

    - 12

    4th

    Harry Power

    61

    70

    71

    69

    271

    - 11

    = 5th

    Cash & Co.

    64

    74

    69

    65

    272

    - 10

    = 5th

    Canvas Town

    63

    70

    75

    64

    272

    - 10

    = 7th

    Cpt. Moonlite

    63

    67

    76

    67

    273

    - 9

    = 7th

    Wild Colonial

    69

    69

    74

    61

    273

    - 9

     

    Singles

    2-ball

    4-ball

    Longest Drive

    Big C (Cpt Moonlite)

    Crocko (Cash & Co)

    Ace (Ben Hall Gang)

    Nearest the Pin

    Mikey Dee (Aaron Sherritt)

    The Baker (Canvas Town)

    Boo (Wild Colonial Boys) 

    Low Round

    The Harry Power Gang

    The Kelly Gang
    Cpt Moonlite Gang
    The Ben Hall Gang

    Wild Colonial Boys 

    Click here for some of the exciting images from Day One.

    Click here for The 2007 Bushranger Cup results page.

    Links to more galleries and the event program can be found on the results page.

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    Dramatic late change in 2007 Bushranger Cup field alters R1 tee times
    Mar 20, 2007

    The man they call Chriddo was involved in a misadventure yesterday that has ended his 2007 Bushranger Cup dream. A fitness test revealed he was not physically capable of taking his place in the greatest field ever assembled for a Bushranger Golf event. A devastated Chriddo could not be contacted for comment last night but was believed to be drowning his sorrows in a most pitiful fashion. Below we see a shot of him in happier times, last year in Corowa, rejoicing in his putting ability as he prepared to take all before him in his maiden Cup.

    Criddo_putting.jpg

    In an even more remarkable twist, The Aaron Sherritt Gang has come up with an immediate replacement, with Murray Noble, the man known as The Phant, sliding straight off the pine and into Bushranger Cup calculations. Alas The Phant can’t make the Friday tee time, so he is joining in the Saturday morning follies, teeing it up at 8am with Ace, Saddam and JP while the rest of us sleep in and dream of the birdies to come in the afternoon.

    This shift means we have moved around some of the groups and tee times on Friday afternoon. To check your amended tee time, go to the 2007 Bushranger Cup Preparations page. It also contains all the details you need to get you there and keep you happy for the entire weekend.

    Finally, we’ve been checking in with the BRG department of meteorology and it seems we might be in for our first ever rain at a Bushranger Cup. We all have our fingers crossed for rain so don’t forget to load in your brolly and wet weather gear for what could turn into a very slippery and interesting round on Saturday afternoon. Good golfing and happy Bushranging,

    Pw Jones.

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    The 2007 Kelly Gang offer BC opponents a chance to surrender!
    Mar 16, 2007

    Press Release
    16 March 2007
    *** For immediate release ***

    The 2007 Kelly Gang* has commissioned a limited number of buttons to commemorate their probable back-to-back victory in the 2007 Bushranger Cup. This charming accessory is the perfect accoutrement to non-defending golfers trembling with ‘the fear’ as they prepare to face The Kelly Gang. The buttons are 5.25 cm in diameter and tastefully designed in black, white and blood red.

    B2B07_Badge.jpg

    A Kelly Gang spokesperson was overheard yesterday saying: 'Ratting to the coppers, shooting a mate in the back, wildly optimistic GUR interpretations - this is your bushranger milieu. Backing against yourself and with the Kellys is all part of being a fair dinkum Bushranger.’

    To order your button, email victory@kellygang.org with the subject line 'We can't win. Send me a badge.'

    To find out how to get to the start line so you can submit to The Kelly Gang as quickly as possible, go to the 2007 Bushranger Cup Preparations page.

    Released by:
    The Kelly Gang Media Office
    'Talk is cheap; disrespect even cheaper'.

    *The Kelly Gang, (Ned, Dan, Joe & Steve) were the most recent and most famous of all the Bushrangers. Hence, the reigning champions each year at The Bushranger Cup have the honour of competing under the Kelly name as they defend their title.

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    The anticipation builds with 14 days to go until the 2007 Bushranger Cup
    Mar 09, 2007

    Last year we posted a quote from Jacques, Marge Simpsons’ suave bowling instructor, having a chat with himself in the bathroom mirror. It is so superb, at the risk of being unoriginal, let us enjoy those glorious words once more:

    “To the most beautiful moment in life. Better than the deed. Better than the memory. The moment of anticipation. Aah, Jacques, you handsome devil. Look at you. You’re really going to strike out tonight!”

    Yes, it is that special time of maximum anticipation again before The Bushranger Cup. The field has been finalised and it appears we have pulled together the most handsome, gifted, charming and, dare we say it, fertile Bushrangers ever assembled. In a fortnight from today, our 32 ferocious competitors will hit the road for a weekend raid on the Mornington Peninsula south east of Melbourne to golf, eat, drink, gamble and laugh their way to possible victory as they compete for the greatest prize in Australian golf. As a wee reminder of what is at stake, below is a shot from last year at Corowa of the Bushranger Cup posing with some of his mates.

    trophies.jpg

    The excitement is building daily and to help things along, there is a range of new information on the 2007 Bushranger Cup preparations page, including the teams, rooming arrangements, check in, auxiliary golf, the package, tips, travel directions and much more. Keep a look out for more next week when we will post the first round groupings and a special pre-tournament form guide on who is looking sharp this year on and off the course.

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    Chilling shots come to light of 2007 Kelly Gang plans for title defence!
    Mar 04, 2007

    This week, another chilling reminder has come to light of the seriousness and ferocity of the Bushrangers competing to claim the 2007 Bushranger Cup. A photo essay has arrived at the offices of Bushranger Golf that reveals the true character and desperate nature of the unscrupulous Bushrangers making their way down the Peninsula later this month.

    In 2006, Badum made massive headlines by chipping-in for a famous birdie at the 18th on Saturday in front of a packed house. It was the loudest shot heard in the district for 125 years and was the catalyst that sparked a great win for The Captain Moonlite Gang.

      The_Bushranger_Cup.jpg

    As his team prepares to play as The Kelly Gang to defend their title, these recent images supply a rare insight into the determination of the reigning champions to be the first ever team to successfully take out back-to-back Bushranger Cups. The pictures clearly show the glorious details of the 2006 champions engraving, Badum displaying his hirsute Bushranger game face, then issuing the traditional Bushranger exhortation to his comrades to ‘Come on!’, and finally, and perhaps most disturbingly,  an artistic, inspired and chilling image of one of the famous Bushranger Cup bullet holes. This clearly serves as a warning to all the 2007 Bushranger Cup competitors that can only mean one thing: “Trespassers will be shot” and “Hands off our Cup!”

    2006_BC_Champs.jpg   Game_Face.jpg
     
    Come_On_.jpg   Bushranger_Cup_bullet_hole.jpg

    Some people say the Bushranger Cup is simply a rollicking pleasure junket, chock full of golf on great courses and mates enjoying a good boyish dose of gaming, punting, laughter and fun for three thrilling days. Alas, nothing could be further from the truth. In 2007, more than ever before, the competition will be fierce for the most glorious title in Australian golf. Good luck to the fortunate gangs competing this year and watch out for regular updates here over the coming days as the anticipation builds for this mighty event. Best regards,

    Pw Jones
    2006 Bushranger Cup Champion
    2007 Kelly Gang Member

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    The Glenrowan Hacks take the bikkies in the 2nd Kelly Gang Shootout!
    Feb 26, 2007

    Arbeige and Micky Dee stormed their way to victory yesterday in the second Kelly Gang Shootout held at The Growling Frog Golf Course. Playing as The Glenrowan Hacks, the pair shot a sturdy one over par 73 off the stick for a net 67. The tournament, which serves as a tune up for the famous Bushranger Cup, was fiercely fought in testing conditions by a stellar field of Bushrangers who were prepared to stop at nothing to take home this prestigious title. The two-ball ambrose teams who took part were:

    The Frosty Beverages: Campbell Wilson and Sam Saltis
    The Jerilderie Gents: Richard Steers and Daniel Rhodes
    The Stringybark Creek Freaks: Johnny Pitt and Matthew Pitt
    The Glenrowan Hacks: Roger Brown and Michael David
    The Beechworth Boys: Michael Mileo and Mick Van Raay
    The Euroa Removalists:  Richard Fellner and Scott Wilson

    The reigning champions all put up a strong defence. The Big C and Sammy the Duck, playing as The Frosty Beverages, finished runners-up by two strokes and Quigley (teaming with Willo) finished a shot further back tied with Granny and Pw Jones of The Stringybark Creek Freaks for third place.

    To read all the details of the results, including the Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive prizes, go to the 2007 KGS Results. To read all the event details and profiles on the players, have a look at the 2007 KGS event program, or click through to the 2007 Kelly Gang Shootout Gallery to view stunning documentary evidence of the fun day shared by all. Below is an example showing the new champions in the middle of their winning round, already hamming it up for the cameras.

    Dee___Arbeige_2nd_tee.JPG

    Thanks to The Golf Clearance Outlet for sponsoring the event with a contribution of gift vouchers for the winning team. Thanks also to all the hearty men who made the trip to Yan Yean to share in what was a most enjoyable day and be sure to watch out for news coming soon on the range of one-day social days Bushranger Golf will be hosting this year.

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    KGS field trembling after Noddy is replaced by a man called Granny
    Feb 23, 2007

    The field for the 2nd Kelly Gang Shootout has been split wide open after the late withdrawal of Noddy has seen the first alternate enter the field: a man called Granny! When you put your hand up to play the grandma in a primary school play, you have to expect it to stick. In 1950, a young man in Melbourne did just that and he has been known as Granny ever since. Below is a rare recent photo of this notorious Bushranger (with the very dangerous Pw Jones) while on safari after a successful heist at the Sydney Opera House where he knocked off a pair of Elton John's favourite sunnies.

    Pw___Granny.jpg

    Nice pins grandma. This Sunday, Granny will tee it up in the 2nd annual KGS and take on a field of Bushrangers who are as well monikered as any ever assembled. Below is a rundown of the 2-ball ambrose teams, how they got their names and the tee times for Sunday:

     2:08 The Big C: Because he is way larger than life, on and off the course.
    Sammy the Duck: When he hits the golf course, he goes straight to water.
     2:08 Macro Dick: Richard from Macro Solutions.
    The Scholar: His name is Rhodes. Nuff said.
     2:16 Micky Dee: He has more front than Maccas and the ability to super-size your life.
    Arbeige: His initials, RB, became Arby and then he went a bit French on us.
     2:16 Pw Jones: Named Pittwell for no reason and 'the Jones boy' after Deano.
    Granny: Played the Grandma in a primary school play.
     2:24 Seve: Has the flair and comportment of Ballesteros, if not the game to back it up.
    Da King: Enough people said, “You Da King”, for it to be coronation by popular demand.
     2:24 Quigley: Has done for Australian golf what Tom Selleck did for our movie industry.
    Junk Mail Willo: On the course, he delivers the most when it matters the least.

    The field is invited to the driving range at The Growling Frog Golf Course from 1pm on Sunday to start tuning up before we commence from the 10th tee. To read all you need to know about the event, go to the 2007 The Kelly Gang Shootout details and competition rules and page. You can also read the BRG hole-by-hole preview of the course to bone up on your strategy or go to the Bushranger Golf Resources page to download the PDF of the BRG review of Growling Frog as it was published in Inside Social Golf Magazine.

    GCO_small.jpg 

    The KGS is sponsored by The Golf Clearance Outlet, our first choice in discounted golf equipment. They carry stock from Precept, Maxfli, Srixon, MacGregor, Wilson, Niblick, Hogan, Cleveland, Optima, Callaway, and many more leading brands. BRG members recieve a 10% discount on most stock in store at 303 Huntingdale Rd, Huntingdale, VIC and at the online shop on eBay. Phone: (03) 9544 0412

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    BRG reviews Waterford Valley Golf Course for Inside Social Golf
    Feb 06, 2007

    Last month, a gang of Bushrangers made the trip to Waterford Valley Golf Course for a belter of a day and to pen another review for our friends at Inside Social Golf (ISG) magazine. Bushranger Golf member Richard Fellner (and owner of Fore!) convinced the team at ISG it would be a good idea to let the Bushrangers loose again after our last contribution to the ‘From the Carpark to the 19th’ course review. In November 2006 we saddled up on The Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean for an in-depth review of the track we use for The Kelly Gang Shootout.

    This time we made our way to Rowville in Melbourne's east to test our wits and skills on one of the cities newest and most spectacular championship quality public access golf courses. Waterford Valley Golf Course was designed by Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Design in conjunction with owner Gary Thompson who we had the pleasure of meeting on the day. The gang who made the trip were an illustrious sextet: Arbeige and The Hominator chose to keep a low profile while Quigley, Willo, Pw Jones and Mikey Dee stole the limelight by penning reviews for the article. This all-conquering gang was delighted to enjoy the fine hospitality of Gary Thompson and his team at Waterford Valley for one sunny and super afternoon. For the record, Willo shot the lights out (we should start calling him 'Junk Mail' as he delivers the most when it matters the least) and the rest of us coped with varying degrees of humiliation at the hands of this tough but fair layout.

    		  ISG_FEB.bmp 

    To read the review, grab your copy of  Inside Social Golf. Every month it is distributed nationally to over 420 pro-shops and driving ranges and is available at more than 70 Victorian golf clubs. Ask in your pro-shop for a copy next time you are having a round. It is a great read for those of us who enjoy a hit and a laugh. To see the article as it appears in the February issue of Inside Social Golf, click here to go to the Bushranger Golf Resources page where you can download the PDF of the article or click here to go to the ISG website and have a look at some of the other great articles and features they have online.

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    Golf Access affiliate handicaps available through BRG this week!
    Jan 29, 2007

    This week, Bushranger Golf will finalise the registration and payment systems to make Golf Access Australia official affiliate handicaps available to BRG members. To obtain a handicap through Bushranger Golf, you will need to:

    • Be a BRG member – this is free, just sign up in our member registration area in the left panel.
    • Not have held an Australian handicap in the last 2 years at a Golf Australia member club.
    • Inform us if you are already a GOLF Link member.
    • Complete some application questions (name, address, shoe size etc.).
    • Agree to the GAA terms and conditions – we will establish a BRG online registration page soon. In the meantime, we will create text on the handicap page this week with all these details, which you can copy and email to BRG to signify your acceptance.
    • Submit 5 recent score cards signed by an approved golfer that show the scores for each hole and the CCR and/or the ACR. These can be faxed to BRG, posted as originals or photocopies, or photographed/scanned and emailed to BRG. They are valid as long as all the necessary details on the card are clearly legible.
    • Make the payment of $105 to Bushranger Golf. The GAA fee is $99. We forward their monies to GAA after your registration. We have decided to charge a one-off $6 establishment fee to cover the initial administration costs of setting up BRG members on the GOLF Link system. Once you have your BRG-GAA affiliate handicap, the annual renewal fee for each subsequent year is $99.

    As well as the member benefits at BRG, when you sign up for a GAA affiliate handicap through us you will also receive:

    • Your own BRG GOLF Link affiliate handicap swipe card.
    • A sleeve of three Srixon golf balls for every new GAA member.
    • A starter pack with rules, etiquette and general information.
    • Access to GOLF Link, Golf Australia’s national online handicapping system.
    • Two annual newsletters featuring GAA initiatives, golf industry updates and special offers.
    • A valid Australian affiliate handicap for one year from the date BRG registers you with GAA.
    • Coverage through Golf Australia’s Personal Insurance Plan (PIP), which includes cover for loss and damage of clubs, personal liability and personal accident insurance. Note that limits apply to the insurance cover. Full insurance details will be outlined soon on the Handicapping page.

    More information will be posted this week on the Handicaps page in our Member Services area. A notice will be clearly posted at the top of the BRG Home page later this week when the preparations are complete. In the meantime, start collecting those signed scorecards!

    Golf_Aust_logo.jpg  golflinklogo.gif

     

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    Bushranger Golf joins forces with The Golf Clearance Outlet!
    Jan 20, 2007

    Bushranger Golf has secured its first sponsorship deal with Melbourne’s #1 discount golf shop, The Golf Clearance Outlet. They are great supporters of social golf clubs and are sponsoring BRG events by supplying gift vouchers as prizes for the winning teams and offering Bushranger Golf members a 10% discount on most of their stocked items*.

    Sam, Jason and the team are currently in the process of redeveloping their website to restructure their online sales system. Presently they have an online store at eBay, however they are limited on how much of their range they can make available there. Their new website will be launched in April 2007 with an online purchasing system to streamline the process so golfers around Australia can take advantage of all their great deals. Once the new system is up and running, their gift vouchers will be valid both in store and with online purchases.

    Golf_CO_online.jpg

    The Golf Clearance Outlet specialises in discounted golf equipment by securing samples, discontinued lines, company seconds and new product lines. They carry stock from Precept, Brosnan, Maxfli, Srixon, MacGregor, Wilson, Bridgestone, Tommy Armour, Niblick, Hogan, Cleveland, Optima, Top Flite, Mizuno, Callaway, and many more leading brands. They also do trade-ins on your pre-loved clubs. Whether your gear is brand new or 10 years old, the boys will discount the value of your current sticks from the purchase price of your new equipment.

    We encourage our members to shop at The Golf Clearance Outlet, 303 Huntingdale Rd Huntingdale, Victoria, 3166. Their website is here, their online eBay store is here or call them on (03) 9544 0412. We are currently finalising the details for the system so BRG members can ID themselves to secure their 10% discount. Watch out for a news item here soon with more information. The guys also have a great range of men's and ladies' golf apparel at discount prices through their Clothing Clearance Outlet, located at 288 Huntingdale Rd, directly opposite the Golf Clearance Outlet.

    *a small percentage of stock is not subject to extra discounting as the clearance prices are already so low.

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    Bushranger Golf signs country golfing prodigy from the Loddon Valley
    Jan 12, 2007

    Bushranger Golf has scooped every other golf club in the world with the exclusive signing of young golf prodigy Aaron Baulch. He hails from Victoria's rugged North West, up past the Malley, beyond Stuie Appleby's old stomping ground of Cohuna, by the banks of the mighty Loddon River. At only 7 years of age (8 this year), Aaron is far and away the youngest member of Bushranger Golf, but that doesn't mean he can't mix it with the big boys. This young tyro loves nothing more than getting out on the course and letting the big dog rip. And as you can see from this recent photo, he oozes heaps of confidence with the flat stick.

    aaronb.JPG

    Every year we read some new article about 'The next Tiger Woods', or some dill posts a video on YouTube of his kid taking a divot at the local driving range, and they try to fob him off on us as the future of golf. Well here at Bushranger Golf we know that none of that will wash (and not just because our personal hygiene levels can suffer a little when on the road with no more than a swag and a golf bag). We didn’t fall out of a tree with the last shower we didn’t have, so we know which way is up and what comes after the 18th on every course in the land. That’s why we are here to tell you to look out for this kid. Our prediction is he is not the next big thing, but the one after that!

    So if in around 2020, your local bookie is offering juicy odds on some unknown kid from the bush up by the Loddon River scooping the Australian Open, just make sure you take a little piece of the action. By the same token, if you run into a hip young cat called Aaron in a Bushranger Golf hat on the first tee at the Kerang Golf Club in about 2019, and he offers to play you for 50 cents a hole, just make sure you’re off scratch at the time and you know the course like the back of your hand, or you might be in strife. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.

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    Waterford Valley Golf Course hosts BRG for Inside Social Golf review
    Jan 08, 2007

    Last Friday, six members of Bushranger Golf made the trip to the new Waterford Valley Golf Course in Rowville in Melbourne’s south east. Our mission was to review the course for the ‘From the Carpark to the 19th’ feature for the next edition of Inside Social Golf Magazine.

    We met with owner Gary Thompson and discussed the layout of the course which he worked closely with Phil Ryan from Pacific Coast Design to develop. A great deal of thought has gone into the design to create an interesting and challenging test to challenge for golfers of all standards. Arbeige, The Hominator, Willo, Mikey D, Quigley & P Dubs strapped on the armour, drew their weapons, and unleashed with all barrels on Gary’s impressive layout. Alas, when the dust settled, only Willo and Waterford Valley were left standing. Below is a picture of the triuphant course at the foot of the Dandenongs.

    Waterford_Valley.jpg

    To read more about just what happened, be sure to check out the next issue (February 2007) of Inside Social Golf, the Australian golf magazine for social golf nuts like us. It is distributed nationally to over 420 pro-shops and driving ranges and is available in more than 70 Victorian golf clubs every month. Ask in your pro-shop for a copy next time you are having a round. It is a great read for those of us who enjoy a hit and a laugh. The Inside Social Golf website is well worth a look and has info on the articles in the current edition and highlights from previous editions.

    Last November Bushranger Golf reviewed The Growling Frog Golf Course (the venue for the upcoming Kelly Gang Shootout) for Inside Social Golf. To view a PDF of the article, go to our Golf Resources page.

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    2nd KGS returns to Growling Frog Golf Course on Feb 25 2007
    Jan 04, 2007

    As a glittering prelude to the 2007 Bushranger Cup, The second annual Kelly Gang Shootout has been scheduled for Sunday February 25, 2007 at the mighty Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean (just a few short miles from Ned’s first home in Beveridge). It is a one-day event with a dazzling array of gifts, prizes and trophies. It will be like Jerilderie all over again: no one’s going home empty handed.

    The format is four-ball ambrose to help teams tune up for the Bushranger Cup and to create the best chance for low scoring and a good time for all. Teams will be teeing up from 11am and we expect to see warrants issued for the arrest of more than a few Bushrangers by the end of the day.

    Entry is open to all Bushrangers and associates and will be available via our booking page from next week. To read more about this notorious event, click here to go to the Kelly Gang Shootout page. To bone up on some strategy, read the Bushranger Golf review in November’s Inside Social Golf magazine or click here to read our hole-by-hole course review of the Growling Frog Golf Course.

    Below is a historic moment from the inaugural KGS in 2006 when that famous leftie The Big 'C' started showing off by hitting a few right-handed bombs on the driving range. It was enough to drive Pw Jones to drink early in the journey and bring a smile to the face of playing partner Slammin' Sammy Saltis who carried 'C' and Quigley to victory later that day at the very first shootout.

    DSCN0054.jpg

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    Celebrity articles & other gear now appearing at Bushranger Golf
    Dec 14, 2006

    In the wake of his stunning victory at the 2006 Surf Coast Cup, Bernard Collins has taken it upon himself to pen his thoughts on this year’s event. His exclusive ‘diary’ is available here at Bushranger Golf on the 2006 Surf Coast Cup Summary page. It has all the dirt, rumour and innuendo on what went down at the 13th Beach Golf Links last week.

    We thank Bern for his contribution and wish to remind readers that we encourage contributions from members and devotees of Bushranger Golf. If you have a story, a bizarre event, a myth, legend or otherwise unsubstantiated claim on golfing glory or tragedy, drop us a line via our Contact Page and we will dignify your scribbling with publication here at BRG. To read some of our previous contributions pop into The Campfire and check out the Golf Facts & Yarns page, which includes the recent addition of the thrilling story called My Eagle by the ever enigmatic Mr. Bastros, Bastros, Ghali, 2005 Bushranger Cup Champion and one of the founding members here at Bushranger Golf.

    In other developments:

    • We are near to completing our online purchasing system to allow members and fans to purchase from the extensive range of BRG merchandise. You can read more on the Member Services page and watch out soon for news announcing the opening of the BRG Online Megastore.
    • We are very close to having official Golf Australia handicaps available for members so start collecting your five scorecards signed by an authorised marker, and in January we will have official BRG handicaps operating on the Golf Link system. A news item will announce the launch of our official handicaps very soon.
    • We have recently added an online poll in the left panel for a bit of fun and feedback. To help us give you more of what you want, please make your voice heard and click loudly!

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    13th Beach Golf Links hosts huge 2006 Surf Coast Cup boilover
    Dec 06, 2006

    The 2006 Surf Coast Cup has been run and won by two past champions. Jon Docking (the 2000 champ with D. Robertson) and Bern Collins (the 2003 champ with Dom Wall) have held off a strong challenge from three-time winner Peter Bremner and perennial bridesmaid Craig Battershill who finished four shots adrift. In third place, another two shots back, were defending Champion Ian Crotty and journeyman Justin Gay. One of our red hot tips, Scott Wilson, finished a disappointing last which indicates he either never stopped playing Texas Hold 'Em or golfing partner Matt Thompson gave him nothing on the course.
     
    Tournament Director Johnny Barnard has been quick to squash any speculation that the smallish, elitist field at this year's event takes some of the shine of the of the Docking/Collins triumph. Said Barnard, "Look, they showed up, which is half the battle. We're not standing here talking about the Ashbys, the Robinsons, the Shands, the Robertsons, the Browns, the Palmers, the Woods', the Jones' (Pw or Bobby), the Walls or the Stonehenges who didn't show, are we? No, we are talking about something else altogether. We're talking about two blokes with massive hangovers being better than some of their mates at chasing little balls with sticks around some god-forsaken tundra near Barwon Heads that has flags in tiny cups sprinkled between mountainous sand dunes. Aren't we?" Barnard, playing with flashy brother Neil, finished a disappointing nine shots off the pace to continue his unbroken string of misses by a fairly wide margin at this great event.

    Below we see a picture of the very excited new champions JD & BC sharing the spoils of victory in the clubhouse at the 36-hole 13th Beach Golf Links. They will each enjoy six months nursing "Old Ben" and at least 12 months gloating rights. To see the final results or to read more about this prestigious event, click here to go to the Surf Coast Cup page.

    2006_SCC_champs.jpg


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    Rumours flying thick and fast as 2005 SCC Champ fails to defend his title
    Nov 28, 2006

    A dramatic but unsubstantiated rumour has surfaced that 2005 Surf Coast Cup Champion Paul Ashby has not entered the 2006 event being contested this week at the marvelous 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads. ‘The Asha’ was not sighted at either The Australian Open nor The Australian Masters in the past fortnight, which didn’t surprise anyone as he is a hack and wasn’t invited but as the defending champion, a no-show at the SCC would be a huge shock.

    A representative from Golf Australia said yesterday, “This sort of thing is not good for golf. We need everyone pulling in the same direction and supporting the local tour.” Sources close to Ashby are denying the persistent rumours that he has snubbed the event because he is sick of the constant, yet entirely justified, speculation that he was carried to the title last year by playing partner Ian ‘Crocko-Diddio’ Crotty. When contacted yesterday Mr Crocky replied with a firm, “I have absolutely no comment to make and I cannot stress that strongly enough. You people know how I feel about my private life being splashed all over the media, especially on the internet. Anything between Paul and myself that happens off the course should stay there. You know what they say, what goes on off the course should stay on and off the course….hang on… anyway, just forget about that….this is off the record, right? Hey, is that thing turned on?”

    Tournament Director Johnny Barnard (B3) was tight lipped yesterday about Ashby’s whereabouts and tried to put his own spin on things. On the steps of the Supreme Court after the third day of the committal hearing into that incident with the albino koala, Barnard said, “Look, we all know it has been a tough 12 months for the Asha, but we want to focus now on the great players who have chosen to show up this week. Let’s see. Well, there’s me. I’ll be there. I always seem to draw a pretty decent crowd with my shaggy, disarming style, rugged 16th-century good looks and laid-back yet focused humility. The way I'm whacking the big dog at the moment, I'm pretty sure I will be bringing home the bickies this week. By the way, do you guys know what the local koalas are like in Barwon Heads?”

    With only days remaining until the start of the event, Ashby’s disappearing act has thrown the championship wide open. The discombobulation of the week  will probably take Crocksy-Flopsy out of the frame. Three-time champ Pete Bremner, knows his way to the post here and other past champs in the field include Jon Docking and Bern Collins. Some pundits suggest it is time for a new champion with the perennially stylish Neil Barnard (B1) looking very sharp and the fertile Scott Wilson scrubbing up a treat in the mounting yard after the recent arrival of his first-born. To read more about the history of this glamorous event, and the preparations for the 2006 tournament, go to the Surf Coast Cup page and watch out here next week for all the results, gossip, innuendo and exclusive après-thwack photos.

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    Updates to Bushranger Golf website poised to set tongues wagging
    Nov 18, 2006

    We are pleased to announce a few recent additions to Bushranger Golf to amuse the idle few among us with little better to do with their time than meander through golfing titbits, trivia and unsubstantiated opinions.

    The development of The Campfire has continued with the creation of a new page called Great Golf Quotes. Since most golfers can’t stop their chops flapping, this page will continue to grow as more gems fall out of pie-holes around the world of golf.

    You may have also noticed the new poll that appeared at BRG last week. Although it seems to be little more than a tool for our own amusement, we do intend to use it occasionally for the serious purpose of getting feedback from Bushrangers on their preferences and opinions. Hence, such obviously silly questions as “Would you go to a sermon by Badds?” will be balanced with potentially sensible questions such as “How much would you pay for (insert item of Bushranger Golf merchandise here)?” We will post a new poll every week so be sure to check in regularly and make your valuable opinion count.

    We’ve also added a new page, The Golfers, which contains all the tournament programs published by Bushranger Golf with the event details and profiles on each of the participants. We wouldn’t say these programs are lacking in journalistic integrity, however, in the tradition of Bushranger Golf, we have tried not to allow any actual matters of fact to impede the spinning of a good yarn. On the right is the inspiring cover of the 2006 William Buckley Classic program.

    		WBC_06_online_cover.jpg 

    Coming very soon will be our first Bushranger Golf newsletter (The Bush Telegraph) which will be emailed out to Bushranger Golf members. It will contain details on how members can obtain a Golf Access handicap with Golf Australia through Bushranger Golf for only $99. If you are not yet a BRG member, just click into the registration box on the left under the poll and you can join up in a few minutes. Membership is free and all the benefits are listed on our Member Services page.

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    Hacker Golf Quarterly magazine profiles Bushranger Golf!
    Nov 14, 2006

    Bushranger Golf is now appearing in glossy print in newsstands across the land with a feature in Hacker - The golf magazine with attitude! Following on from this month’s Growling Frog course review in Inside Social Golf (see Nov 7 news item), Bushranger Golf has become a publicists dream and there are already rumblings that we are risking becoming over-exposed, a bit like The Beatles, or Jesus or Hamish & Andy. Hopefully this news item will help dampen the media frenzy.

    Richard Fellner spoke with Freddo from Hacker who writes the Social Club Corner. The piece is over three pages and includes a range of full-colour photos of several of our most handsome members. Taking centre stage is Bushranger Golf stalwart, Mikey Dee, who features in the “What’s in my bag?” section, which is a rather titillating. Some of the other juicy bits include the startling revelations on who are the best golfers at BRG and who is the worst. The nominee for the latter category won his place, not so much for his game, as for his consistent and ongoing commitment to shabbiness.

    Hacker is a quarterly magazine written by and for golfers like us who could win the Grand Slam if they wanted but are content with a hit and a laugh with mates. It has news, trivia, profiles and reviews on all sorts of golf matters of interest to Aussie hackers. It is available at all good newsagencies and the current issue edition features ‘our’ Geoff Ogilvy on the cover in a dashing pink shirt striking a rather nice pose. Inside there is a rating of Victoria & NSW's top public access courses and details on entry into the 3rd annual Hacker Cup being played at Eagle Ridge next January. I think I can hear some Bushrangers saddling up for that already!

    In a remarkable twist, Freddo enjoyed writing about Bushranger Golf so much he became a member. We look forward to seeing Freddo out on the course sometime soon. To join Bushranger Golf yourself, just click on the registration box on the left and fill in your details. To read more about BRG membership, go to our Member Services page.

    		Hacker.bmp 
    Happy Hacking.

    Pw Jones

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    Rumours persist that the 2007 Bushranger Cup is migrating South
    Nov 11, 2006

    Rumours have been flying thick and fast this week that the exclusive Bushranger Cup is moving from its traditional home along the banks of the Murray and heading south for some links golf action on the Mornington Peninsula in 2007.

    Tournament Director, Pw Jones, was understood to be involved in lengthy negotiations this week with representatives of The Dunes regarding all 27 of their magnificent holes of golf. Our sources reveal that The Bushranger Cup looks likely to be run over three days for the first time with the traditional opening nine holes of individual stroke play to be staged on the Friday afternoon at The Cups course at The Dunes.

    This opens the door for the leaderboard heckling to start on the Friday evening and allows the luxury of a far more civilised starting time for the second round. It appears the Saturday ambrose round will be played at The Dunes and, although negotiations are still in progress, accommodation will most likely be at The Nepean Country Club. The venue for the Sunday round is understood to be still under consideration. With no shortage of handy courses in the area, including Moonah Links, it is certain to be an inspiring final round.

    Mr. Jones could not be contacted for comment last night although his office did issue a statement that although the venue cannot yet be confirmed, The 2007 Bushranger Cup would be returning to its traditional schedule and be held on the final weekend of daylight savings in 2007 (March 23, 24 & 25). Keep an eye out here for more news as it comes to hand.

    Below we find a member of Bushranger Golf putting on a traditional 'chino-filling' demonstration in Corowa last April. Expect to see plenty of this quantity and quality of form southeast of Melbourne at the next Bushranger Cup.

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    Bushrangers review The Growling Frog for Inside Social Golf Magazine
    Nov 07, 2006

    Last month, four Bushrangers made the trip back to The Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean to play, eat, drink and be merry in the interests of writing a review for Inside Social Golf (ISG) magazine. Rod Morri and the team at ISG regularly run a feature called ‘From the Carpark to the 19th’, offering in-depth reviews of great golf courses. Somehow, possibly at gunpoint, our own Richard Fellner convinced Rod it would be a good idea to let the Bushrangers loose to review the Frog.

    Inside Social Golf is distributed nationally to over 420 pro-shops and driving ranges and is available in more than 70 Victorian golf clubs every month. Ask in your pro-shop for a copy next time you are having a round. It is a great read for those of us who enjoy a hit and a laugh. To see a PDF of the article as it appears in the November edition of ISG, click here to go to the Inside Social Golf website and look for the link to the article in the toolbar on the left.

    The gang who made the trip were an illustrious quartet cobbled together from various 2006 championship-winning teams: Da King (aka Big Mick Van Raay) recently won the inaugural William Buckley Classic; Quigley (aka RF) won the inaugural Kelly Gang Shootout back in March; and Arbeige (aka Downtown Roger Brown) and Pw Jones (aka yours truly) shared the glory of winning the 2006 Bushranger Cup in Corowa. This all-conquering foursome was delighted to enjoy the hospitality of Wayne Rogers and all the good folks at Growling Frog for one sunny afternoon. For the record, Quigley took the bikkies with a scorching round, as he so often does, saving his best for when it matters the least.

    Bushranger Golf is looking forward to our next event back at Growling Frog: the 2nd annual Kelly Gang Shootout in February 2007. To start your preparation early, click here to read the original hole-by-hole course review of Growling Frog by Bushranger Golf. Online entry will be available here at BRG in January. Below is one of the spectacular photos taken by Richard on the day, which was used in the article. This shot features the clubhouse above the 9th fairway and green, and a few of the locals checking out our form. They got their money's worth.

    3_roos_at_GF.JPG 

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    Jack the Hack postponed due to hacker hacking
    Oct 25, 2006

    Co-founder and two-time Jack the Hack champion, Saddam, has hacked with tradition and called for a postponement of the historic 10th staging of this famously shambolic event. Tournament sponsors and organisers have been thrown into a chaotic frenzy of inactivity after Saddam acquired a phlegm related illness which will require a short but intense period of recuperation. The Open Course at Moonah Links is still the proposed venue but the 2006 event may play havoc with the engraver, as it looks likely to be held in early 2007.

    Defending champion Pw Jones said last night that the postponement was a tragic blow to all involved but he anticipated the extra preparation time to work to his advantage. “Right now I’m hitting the ball in so many different directions I’ve had to employ two forecaddies to help with my pill recovery on every shot. Since I have Buckley’s chance of any consideration from the handicapper, my only hope is to improve my game. A few extra months should be all I need to cruise to a lazy back-to-back Hack.” Alas, local bookmakers aren’t sharing Pw’s optimism and the latest markets are showing him at 10-1 the place and monster odds the win, no matter how much practice he gets in.

    In other developments, the rescheduling of Jack may create a logjam early next year on the Shabby Dot Com Tour. The Bushranger Cup looks certain to return to its traditional mid-March slot to coincide with the end of daylight savings. This means the traditional lead up event, the one-day Kelly Gang Shootout, will be held some time in early February 2007.

    To read more about the remarkable Jack ‘The Hack’ Spencer and the tournament named in his honour, go to the Jack the Hack page here.

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    Super spring events approaching on the Bushranger Golf calendar
    Sep 20, 2006

    Two traditional events are looming large on the Bushranger Golf event calendar as the exciting Spring Bushranging Carnival approaches. Get ready to strap yourselves in because this looks like being more fun than playing in a foursome with Lee Trevino, Chi-Chi Rodriguez and Shigeki Marijuana.

    In late October, the mighty ‘Jack the Hack’ will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with a monster tournament at the home of Australian golf. The Moonah Links Open Course will be the venue on Saturday October 28th for this virile and handsome expression of amateur golfing prowess. Saddam and Jim are planning extensive celebrations after the event with the traditional ‘Champions' Dinner’ to serve as a fitting tribute to the many great players who have scratched their names into the mighty ‘Jack (The Hack) Spencer Memorial Trophy’. As a special treat, the tourney hosts will be offering 4 places in the field for Bushranger Golf members. Watch out for details of the ‘Become a Jack Hacker Competition’ for the chance to win an exclusive invitation to be a starter in this historic tournament.

    If that isn’t exciting enough, rumours are persisting that the 8th 'Surf Coast Cup' is looking very likely to be held on the first weekend in December. To say Christmas appears to have come early would be a massive understatement. This traditionally rip-roaring, bare-knuckled, beach-combing, lady-killing, grommet-wielding, roller-coasting test of wits, golfing skill and liver function is one of the highlights of the year for those fortunate enough to gain entry into this highly deregulated weekend event. Watch out here for more announcements regarding the confirmation of the scheduling and location of this mighty tournament, most commonly referred to as ‘The Iditarod of Amateur Golf’.

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    The Michaels streak the field in the inaugural William Buckley Classic at Moonah Links & Eagle Ridge
    Aug 21, 2006

    It was a runaway wire-to-wire win yesterday by Michael Mileo & Michael Van Raay at the Inaugural William Buckley Classic held on the Mornington Peninsula. Playing together in the team known as “You can call me Mick, but don’t call him that, I don’t like Mike, nor does he, but Michael is all right by both of us” the two big men played two beautiful poker-faced rounds and left the field in their wake.

    In a radical shift for Bushranger Golf, the competition format to win “Old Bill” (as the William Buckley Perpetual Trophy has become known) was a rather unusual combination of ambrose & stableford. The two ball ambrose teams set about accumulating stableford points to decide the 2006 WBC champions.

    On the first day at the Moonah Links Open Course, the Michaels jumped to a three point lead after racking up 41 points at the home of Australian golf and the venue for last year's Ausralian Open. The rest of the field was closely matched, all scoring between 34 & 38 points. On day two, the testing Eagle Ridge layout really sorted out the field with points ranging from 30 to 40. Incredibly, the overnight leaders were the best performers on the second day also and pulled clear of the field for an impressive 6 point win in conditions which saw many of the leading challengers fall away when the pressure was on.

    Most notable of these were leading challengers Crocko-Diddio and Bastros Bastros who had been talking up their chances the whole weekend and were well placed in equal second after the first day. After settling nicely with 19 points on the front nine on Sunday, they arrived on the 10th tee ‘in contention’ going in to the back nine in a major on Sunday. Alas, something went terribly wrong and they tumbled through the field on the back nine when it mattered most and narrowly avoided the ignominy of finishing last. Maybe next time.

    In second place were Quigley and the much maligned Willow, who put up a fine showing and were unlucky to run into another combination on fire for the whole journey. In a gutsy grinding effort, The Rose of Doran and The Hockster came through the field to jag third place after a strong back nine. A special mention must be made of the storming finish by The Big ‘C’ & Strasbourg who came back after struggling all day to finish off the last four holes in fine style with scores of 3, 2, 3 & 3.

    Watch out here soon for more reports, full results, photos and true stories from this mighty new tournament.

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    BRG Management shocked at major golf event triple booking!
    Jul 25, 2006

    The management of Bushranger golf is delighted to announce that the inaugural William Buckley Classic, the first weekend event staged by Bushranger Golf, is being held on the same weekend as the US PGA Championship at Medinah Golf & Country Club in Illinois. It is a remarkable scheduling blunder by the US Golf Association which is well aware the US PGA event is co-sanctioned by our very own Shabby Dot Com tour.

    Some of the biggest names in golf have been forced to choose which event to attend. Some, such as Tiger, Lucky Phil and the Goose have elected to focus on their golf course management at Medinah, while others, such as Willo, Crocko-Diddy, Da King, The Rose of Doran, Pw Jones and Arbeige have elected to sharpen their off-course management skills at the Nepean CC. No doubt Eldrick and the boys will be tuned in to the telly après their rounds, enjoying a hand or two of cards and keeping an eye on the events unfolding at The William Buckley Classic being staged at the home of Australian golf, Moonah Links, and The Eagle Ridge Golf Course.

    In a remarkable twist, another massive Bushranger Golf sanctioned event, the Golf Majors Tipping Comp, will be staged on the same weekend! The GMTC management team, headed by Starky, last night laid the blame squarely with the US Golf Association for the event scheduling blunder. In an incredible display of versatility and commitment, rumours are surfacing in the golf world that some Bushrangers will be competing in two of these events simultaneously. This reporter has even heard that in spite of the impending arrival of his first born, the ubiquitous Bastros Bastros aspires to somehow golf his ball and win all three events at the same time across two hemispheres.

    Some places still remain to enter all three events, although the US PGA is looking pretty crowded at this stage. If you are interested in finding out more or applying to enter an event, don’t hesitate to contact us through our feedback page or through forecaddie@bushrangergolf.com.au. Best regards,

    Matt & Richard

    Bushranger Golf Event Management

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    11 time Major winner and first timer take out the 2006 British Open!
    Jul 24, 2006

    The results are in for the two biggest events on the golfing calendar, The British Open Championship and The British Open Golf Majors Tipping Comp.

    In the time-honoured test to find the one golfer on the planet worthy of lifting "ye auld claret jug", Tiger Woods has fired a near-perfect final round 67 to stave off a spirited back-nine challenge by American Chris DiMarco to win his third British Open (and 11th major overall) by two shots at The Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake.

    More importantly, the search for the world's top tipster has concluded for the 3rd time in 2006. In what promised to be a nail biting finish with three players tied at 39-under par after the third round, veterans Blair Jenkins and Nathan McGuirk and newcomer John D'Apice have fought out an epic battle for this prestigious championship. In a thrilling finale, it was kiwi tipster Blair Jenkins who prevailed to claim his first major tipping comp victory in 89 starts. His magnificent 1 stroke victory with a score of 37 under par was thanks mostly to his inclusion of kiwi Michael Campbell with a solid final round 2-under 70. His other six team members were: Our Adam, Ernie, Dazzler Clarke, The Goose, Oops Garcia and Lucky Phil.

    You can read more on The Golf Majors Tipping Comp page and watch out for the final major of the year, The US PGA championship, being staged at Medinah country club near Chicago in August.

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    Updates on a few golf events for Bushrangers being staged this winter
    Jul 24, 2006

    Congratulations to Tiger and all the other hackers at The Open Championship for their sturdy efforts in this event co-sanctioned by the Shabby Dot Com Tour. Now that the dust has settled at Royal Liverpool, you can find out who won the biggest event of all: The Golf Majors Tipping Comp. Click here to keep up to date with how Australia’s greatest tipsters fared in the third major of the year.

    In other event news, we are sad to report The Kelly Gang Shootout has been postponed due to lack of entries. Watch our news items for more information on the next staging of the event. Apologies to the Bushrangers who had entered and were looking forward to this fun day out on a great golf course. If you have suggestions for how we can plan and manage events to better suit your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us via our feedback page with any information or proposals. Our primary objective is to create a day where a group of like-minded golfers can get together for a lot of fun and laughs, on and off the course, very similar to how the R&A staged The Open all these years.

    We are pleased to report the next big event on the world golfing calendar, The Inaugural William Buckley Classic, is going ahead on the weekend of August 19 & 20 at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course and the Open Course at Moonah Links. An exclusive and enthusiastic field has assembled for what will be a corroboree of two-ball ambrose of epic proportions in honour of the Wild White Man, the original Bushranger, Mr. William Buckley.

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    On this day: a big event in Bushranger Golf history!
    Jul 07, 2006

    On this day in 1835, a white man standing over 6'6", carrying spears and dressed in animal furs, walked into the camp site of John Batman’s Port Phillip Association near Indented Heads in Victoria.

    This “Wild White Man” was William Buckley, a brickie from Cheshire, England who was convicted of theft in 1802 and transported down under. He had been living with local aborigines for 32 years after escaping in 1803 from the first Victorian settlement near Sorrento, which was abandoned shortly afterwards and relocated to Tasmania, leaving him the only European living near Port Phillip Bay for a long period. After his escape, he walked from Sorrento to Aireys Inlet, a remarkable journey which took him past where many of Victoria’s finest golf courses are now located.

    Since the rumours persist that Buckley was a very keen golfer and he was the first ‘Bushranger’ in Victoria, living off the bush and on the run from the law, we’ve decided to name the first Bushranger Golf weekend event in his honour. It will be held in the district around Port Phillip Bay where Buckley ranged. The inaugural event is in six weeks, on August 19 & 20, 2006. To find out more, go to our William Buckley Classic page.

    Places are limited for this event and we need to finalise our bookings by July 17, so if you are interested in joining in the fun, contact Bushranger Golf now at forecaddie@bushrangergolf.com.au to book your place in what is shaping up as a very glamorous and possible talented field.


    This image is a detail from The finding of Buckley, an 1869 watercolour by Oswald Rose Campbell depicting Buckley's appearance at Batman's camp on July 7, 1835, a mere 171 years ago today. It is from the Collection of Geelong Art Gallery. Gift of Robert Short, 1937.

    		  Buckley_saved.jpg 

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    2nd KGS one-day event set for maximum golf fun
    Jul 05, 2006

    Since the first Kelly Gang Shootout in March, we have reviewed the format for organising our one-day events and made some changes. The second Shootout will be held in a little over three weeks time from 11am on Saturday July 29 at Eagle Ridge Golf Course on the Mornington Peninsula. Bushranger Golf members can pay $65 for the round, a cart, lunch, tournament program, a driving range session and participation in the four-ball ambrose shootout event in a team with your mates.

    For extra fun, players will have the option to get involved in some ‘side action’ against the rest of the field for Nearest the Pin, Longest Drive and a few other special activities to ensure an entertaining day for all involved. To find out more about this historic event, go to The Kelly Gang Shootout page to read all about its origins and the inaugural running of event won by The Frosty Beverage’s in thirsty conditions at The Growling Frog Golf Course.

    You can enter as a complete team of four, or as 1, 2 or 3 blokes and we will match you up with playing partners who are sure to make you look good in some way. We have to finalise our bookings soon so to join the already classy field or to find out more about this prestigious event, contact us now at forecaddie@bushrangergolf.com.au.

    If you are not already a member of Bushranger Golf, you can join up right now. Membership is free and available to all social golfers looking to have fun playing some great golf courses with mates and having plenty of laughs along the way. Just click on the registration box on the left and start your career as a bushranger in a matter of minutes.

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    Murray River Horse Trails on Wine Me, Dine Me
    Jun 27, 2006

    Our mates Padge & Deb have been appearing on the telly in trailers on Channel Nine for this week’s episode of ‘Wine Me, Dine Me’. John Wood and his crew visited Murray River Horse Trails near Strathmerton a few weeks ago while they were sampling some of the great food and wine in the Rutherglen region. As they were in bushranger country, they felt a little riding would suit the segment so they approached the famous bushranger of the Barmah forest, Mr Graeme Padgett. (Padge to his mates – only his mum calls him Graeme.)

    John and the crew spent a day at Murray River Horse Trails having a ride, spinning yarns and singing songs by the campfire and getting some footage which will be aired on ‘Wine Me, Dine’ tomorrow night (Wed June 28) on Nine at 7:30 pm.

    Padge was part of the inspiration for the Bushranger Cup and donated the cup, the bullets and the redgum posts which were used to fashion the greatest trophy in golf. Padge is larger than life at the best of times so we can’t wait to see how he scrubs up on the small screen. To find out more about Padge, Deb and Murray River Horse Trails, click here to read about their connection to Bushranger Golf.

    Below we can see Pw Jones, one of the founders of Bushranger Golf, aboard ‘Big Jimmy’ on a ride through the Barmah forest with Padge and Deb at Murray River Horse Trails.

    Jimmy___Matt.jpg

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    Bushranger to appear on TV with ex cop!
    Jun 20, 2006

    A member of Bushranger Golf will be appearing on the telly next week with well known ex-copper John Wood. The actor and epicurean, who owns and runs the Yarra Valley Deli Wine Bar with his family, recently filmed a two-part touring gourmet special called ‘Wine Me, Dine Me’ which will air on Channel Nine at 7:30pm on Wednesday 21st and 28th of June.

    Whilst sampling some of the food and wine around the Rutherglen region, the producers decided some horse riding would be in order. They phoned the best known bushranger in the district, our mate Padge, who is a foundation member of Bushranger Golf and just happens to own & operate Murray River Horse Trails near Strathmerton with his partner Deb Jackson.

    John and his crew spent a day with Padge & Deb riding and filming in and around the Barmah forest on the banks of the Murray. Padge tells us John was a charming gent who certainly appears to have a fine appreciation of good food. Padge’s normal instructions to riders at Murray River Horse Trails are, ‘Ride him like you stole him’. To see if John did as he was told, tune in to the second episode of ‘Wine Me, Dine Me’ on channel 9 at 7:30 on Wednesday 28th of June.

    To find out more about Padge, Deb and Murray River Horse Trails, click here to read about their connection to Bushranger Golf.

    Padge_v2.JPG

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    Kelly Gang Shootout Champion sent to prison!
    Jun 08, 2006

    Campbell Wilson, one of the winners of the inaugural Kelly Gang Shootout, is being sent to prison this afternoon as part of the Whitelion Bail Out to help young people. Whitelion helps kids to build better lives for themselves and helps make our community a more inclusive and safe place. This is Whitelion's biggest fundraising appeal, so please show your support by making a pledge.

    The Whitelion Bail Out is happening at the Old City Watch House on June 8th. Constable Angie Piper (Kate Kendall) and Sergeant Tom Croydon (John Wood) of Mount Thomas Police will check selected Melbourne personalities, business leaders and Whitelion stakeholders into the Watch House and mount the case for the prosecution in the Court House before Acting Magistrate Brian Barrows.

    These Whitelion 'inmates' will then be 'sentenced' to time in a cell and will only be released when they have raised $1000 'bail out' money. The Whitelion Bailout will provide the 'inmates' with a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of a young person who has been disconnected from our community due to abuse and neglect, drug addiction and poverty, and provides new opportunities, hope and support to a healthier, more productive life.

    If you want to see Campbell stay there, just do nothing. If you’d like to let him roam the streets and get into more mischief, you can text him a pledge today on 0411 885 934. Whitelion will contact you shortly after the event to collect your pledge.

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    Bushrangers go Dinner Dancing & Bush-Bashing to help the kids!
    Jun 08, 2006

    Paul Lambe, who made a huge impact at the inaugural Kelly Gang Shootout and The 2006 Bushranger Cup, is harnessing up his famous Car # 222 for a tilt at the 2006 Variety Club Bash. The Variety Club of Victoria runs the bash every year to raise money to look after children with special needs.

    Paul regularly competes in the bash and works hard to raise sponsorship. This weekend he is having a Dinner Dance as a fundraiser and all proceeds go to the variety club of Victoria. There will be a spit roast, all the refreshments you can drink and two bands. Group bookings are welcome so get a table of friends together.

    Dress is 'Op Shop Formal' and tickets are $35.00 for singles and $60.00 for doubles. Beer, wine and soft drink are included in cover charge and you can BYO other drinks to suit yourself. The bands are: Powerplay (60’s—90’s and beyond) & The Ancient Idols (direct from the Sunbury Music Festival).

    The venue is The Blackburn Tennis Club, Morton Park, Central Road, Blackburn.

    7pm—12pm, Saturday June 10

    For more information or to book tickets, contact Paul Lambe on 0413 548 353 or pjlam@iprimus.com.au

    Besides attending the fundraiser, you can also sponsor the car in one of two ways:
    Direct: where ALL donated monies go directly to the Variety Club of Victoria, and/or
    Indirect: where products, services and/or kind, enable the members of a car to raise funds for the kids that the Variety Club of Victoria help; e.g. products will be auctioned or raffled, workshop services, time and materials or car parts that will assist in getting the car to “Bash ready” condition.

    All sponsors will be acknowledged in any literature produced and will have their logo or signage on the car. Prominent logo signage is available on both sides of the car, together with the front and rear. Bonus spots are also available. The amount and size of signage is dependent upon the amount of sponsorship. And don’t forget that monies donated to the Variety Club are tax deductible. To find out more, click here for The Variety Club or over here to read up on the Bash or contact Paul via the details listed above.

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    Date & Venue for the 2nd Kelly Gang Shootout is announced!
    Jun 07, 2006

    Bushranger Golf has locked in the date and the venue for the next 'Kelly Gang Shootout’. In a shocking development, Bushrangers will be roaming far from their spiritual home in Kelly Country in central Victoria which ranges from the southern tip of the dividing range through to the magical Riverina along the Mighty Murray.

    The 2nd Bushranger Golf one-day event, known as The Kelly Gang Shootout, will be held on the Mornington Peninsula at the challenging Eagle Ridge Golf Course on Saturday July 29, kicking off at around 11am. Known for its penal bunkering and capacity to play beautifully in all conditions, it will provide a thorough test for all our hearty bushrangers.

    Rumours are still raging as to the format of the event with the popular belief that it will be run as a two man team event. Watch out for more information to be posted here soon and on online registration form for entry into the event. A special discount price will be available for Bushranger Golf Members.

    This event will serve as a fitting warm up for the first ever weekend event hosted by Bushranger Golf which will be run in August 2006. Keep a close eye on our news items for more information on this as soon as it is available.

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    Bushranger Golf plans two more tournaments!
    Jun 01, 2006

    Bushranger Golf is currently engaged in full and frank discussions with The Cobram-Barooga Golf Club and Eagle Ridge Golf Course regarding a series of Bushranger Golf events to be staged this winter.

    Plans are afoot to hold the second Bushranger Golf one-day event down on the Mornington Peninsula at the challenging Eagle Ridge course. Last Spring ‘The Kelly Gang Shootout’ was held at the Growling Frog Golf Course. The second event will be the Winter event, with two more planned for Spring and Summer. The exact nature of the competition is still being considered and very soon we will be conducting a member survey to find out your preferences for the event format.

    In even bigger news, after the hearty efforts of all concerned at this years Bushranger Cup at The Corowa Golf Club in April, Bushranger Golf has laid plans for its first ever weekend event to be held at the venue of the first ever Bushranger Cup in 2004: The 36-hole Cobram-Barooga Golf Club. Preliminary negotiations suggest the event will be scheduled in mid-August. An official announcement will be made here very soon.

    Keep your eye on the Bushranger Golf news and be sure to register as a member to be eligible for the member benefits which include an official handicap from Golf Australia for only $99, which will be available very soon, and special member discounts to all Bushranger Golf events.

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    The Bushranger Cup to undergo radical format changes for 2007!
    May 29, 2006

    Rumours were rife yesterday evening around the Eastern Golf Club bar that there were sweeping changes in store for the 2007 Bushranger Cup. The outrageous speculation included:

    • Competitors having the option to play their solo 9-hole round on Friday evening instead of Saturday morning
    • The first round scoring system being altered to count the 1st and 3rd best scores rather than the 2nd and 3rd scores
    • Shifting the event away from the traditional Murray River courses in the heart of Kelly Country
    • Alternate locations mooted included the Mornington Peninsula, The Victorian Surf Coast, Tasmania, Queensland and Scotland

    Tournament Director, Pw Jones, could not be contacted for a coherent comment last night but was last seen in the company of that great raconteur, Mikey Dee, mumbling something about Crocko-Diddy’s bar tab at the Eastern and the power of the Bastros liver. As soon as the venue for the 2007 event is confirmed, Bushranger Golf will report all the facts on the matter, as well as any rumours, innuendo, speculation and half-truths that may be of the slightest interest.

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    Bushranger Golf Memberships available from next week!
    May 26, 2006

    Next week we will be posting an online membership registration form on our home page. Bushranger Golf Club Memberships are free and available to ALL social golfers. The immediate benefits are:

    • Access to an official Golf Australia (GA) affiliate handicap via Golf Access (at the cost price of $99)
    • The opportunity to purchase golf insurance through GA’s Personal Insurance Plan
    • An online database with details of your playing record and movements in your official handicap
    • Priority booking on Bushranger Golf events and tournaments
    • Quarterly Bushranger Golf Newsletters
    • Exclusive access to Bushranger Golf merchandise

    We are also planning to provide members:

    • Discounts on green fees with partner courses and driving ranges
    • Deals and discounts on new equipment
    • Great opportunities to trade pre-loved gear through our Equipment Exchange
    • Priority access to exclusive members only environments within the BRG site! Mmmm, saucy.

    Register online from next week and watch out for more announcements soon of the next Bushranger Golf One Day Event being held in July.

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    Last Chance to Offer Your Feedback
    May 05, 2006

    In an effort to continually improve "The Bushranger Cup", this year's tournament organisers have emailed a brief Satisfaction Survey to all of those hearty individuals who competed in the event (or, as the case may be, those who where "at" the event, but offered little or no competition!!!).

    Though most of you have completed the survey (and thanks for that!), there are still some who haven't yet offered feedback. So to those who have remained silent: wassamatta witcha? Speak up! Check your email for your own personal link to the survey, or, Click here to take the Bushranger (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction survey!!!

    Survey results will be tallied, sliced, diced, minced, chewed and spat in the coming week. We'll be publishing the results, as well as our plans to improve our event, on the website.

    Thanks!

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    The Captain Moonlite Gang wins the 2006 Bushranger Cup!
    Apr 25, 2006

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    The 3rd annual Bushranger Cup has been run and won at the beautiful 27-hole Corowa Golf Club. In a stunning performance on the back 9 on Sunday, The Captain Moonlite Gang has run away with an eight shot win. Above we see Badum, PwJones, Ho and Arbeige handling their trophies during the photo opportunity on the tenth tee after the championship. A comprehensive wrap of all the thrills, highlights, scores and a gallery of photos of all the action will be posted today and tomorrow. Below are the overall results and links to the results, the tournament program player profiles and the first gallery of images.

    Place

    Gang

    Rnd 1

    Rnd 2

    Rnd 3

    Rnd 4

    Total

    Par

    1st

    Cpt. Moonlite

    80

    62

    73

    62

    277

    - 16

    = 2nd

    Kelly Gang

    76

    66

    74

    69

    285

    - 8

    = 2nd

    Cash & Co.

    84

    69

    66

    66

    285

    - 8

    4th

    Wild Colonial

    91

    63

    69

    67

    290

    - 3

    5th

    Aaron Sherritt

    79

    64

    76

    73

    292

    - 1

    6th

    Canvas Town

    86

    64

    73

    70

    293

    Even

    7th

    Harry Power

    91

    67

    71

    66

    295

    + 2

    8th

    Ben Hall

    90

    61

    76

    71

    298

    + 5

     

    Singles

    4-ball

    2-ball

    Longest Drive

    Crocko (Kelly Gang)

    Diesel (Ben Hall Gang)

    Seve (Harry Power Gang)

    Nearest the Pin

    Boo (Aaron Sherritt)

    Bastros (Kelly Gang)

    Lt. Dick (Aaron Sherritt)

    Low Round

    The Kelly Gang

    The Ben Hall Gang

    Cpt. Moonlite Gang

    To visit the results page for the 2006 Cup, click here.

    To read all the gossip from the program, click here.

    To see the first gallery of images, click here.

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    Incredible last minute changes to Bushranger Cup teams!
    Apr 24, 2006

    In a startling revelation this morning, the organisers of the Bushranger Cup have seen fit to make a last minute change to two of the teams, swapping two members from The Wild Colonial Boys and The Aaron Sherritt Gang. Mr P.w. Jones said this morning, “Now that the questionnaires have been answered and the Bushranging has begun in earnest, we found that there was a significant imbalance in how the talent was distributed across the field.” The two revised teams are now:

    The Aaron Sherritt Gang
    Johnny Barnard
    Johnny Cussen
    Richard Thurkle
    Warwick Stonehouse

    The Wild Colonial Boys
    James McCusker
    Ross Mitchell
    Richard White
    Campbell Wilson

    Johnny Barnard, who originally requested a place in The Captain Moonlite Gang, was banished to The Canvas Town Mob and then unceremoniously dumped into The Aaron Sherritt Gang, has now seen half his team desert at the last minute. JB could not be contacted for comment this morning but some people say he will be taking some remedial, medicinal action in the bar at the Corowa Golf Club on Friday.

    In other news, Bushranger Golf released its new range of merchandise at the recent Kelly Gang Shootout: black baseball style caps and Wilson Ultra Tour Titanium golf balls, both wildly emblazoned with the Bushranger Golf logo. Contestants at The Bushranger Cup in need of a fashion makeover and can purchase these products at the tournament at the Bushranger Golf Member prices of $12 for caps and $2.50 per ball or $25 for a dozen.

    And while we are on fashion, Bushrangers should note that Corowa Golf Club requires neat casual dress on the golf course. This means shirts with a collar, slacks, clean jeans and tailored shorts. So don’t bring ripped clothing, board shorts or generally shabby attire to wear while golfing your ball.

    And finally, in other rumours, at least two guitars are coming to Corowa as there are a host Bushrangers who fancy themselves at plucking a tune around the campfire. So if you are musical, grab your lager-phone and toss it in the car. For those less tuneful, you may be interested in the ferocious rumour that Big Red is bringing a special spinning wheel with red, black (& one green) numbers to put in the gaming room beside the two card tables. Exciting times!

    All the information contestants require should be available on The 2006 Bushranger Cup page. If you have any queries regarding the event, please email me personally or via forecaddie@bushrangergolf.com.au. See you in Corowa, warm regards,

    Pw Jones

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    Anticipation building with 16 days to go until the 2006 Bushranger Cup!
    Apr 05, 2006

    “To the most beautiful moment in life. Better than the deed. Better than the memory. The moment of anticipation. Aah, Jacques, you handsome devil. Look at you. You’re really going to strike out tonight!”

    - Jacques, the suave, professional bowling instructor at Barney’s Bowl-A-Rama, talking to himself in the bathroom mirror before his date with Marge.

    Yes, it is that special time of anticipation before the Bushranger Cup. There was so much here this morning I was just about able to boil the kettle on it. One fortnight from this Friday, 32 ferocious Bushrangers will hit the road for a weekend raid on the town of Corowa in southern NSW to golf, eat, drink, gamble, sing and laugh their way to possible victory in The Bushranger Cup. The excitement is building daily and to help things along, there is a range of new information on the 2006 Bushranger Cup page, including the final teams, rooming arrangements, check in, auxiliary golf, the package, tips, the Bushranger questionnaire, travel directions and much more. Keep a look out for more next week when we will post the first round groupings and a special pre-tournament form guide on who is looking sharp this year on and off the course. Warm regards, Pw Jones.

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    Above is a very special image from the inaugural Cup in Cobram-Barooga in 2004, taken on Saturday morning by Mikey Dee. Here we see the very beautiful Arbeige reminding us what too much anticipation can do to a very excited Bushranger.

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    The Kelly Gang needs you!
    Apr 03, 2006

    Sign up now for the first ever Kelly Gang Shootout!

    The Kelly Gang (Ned, Dan, Joe Byrne and Steve Hart) probably played a lot of golf in between trying to establish a separatist political movement and the odd bit of horse rustling. And no doubt, four-ball ambrose was their game. To celebrate the launch of the Bushranger Golf website and as a prelude to the 2006 Bushranger Cup, we are hosting The Kelly Gang Shootout at The Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean (just a few short miles from Ned’s first home in Beveridge). It is a one-day event on Sunday March 26, 2006 with a spanking range of gifts, prizes and trophies. It will be like Jerilderie all over again: no one’s going home empty handed.

    For more information, click here to read about the event or email your questions to forecaddie@bushrangergolf.com.au

    To register your interest in participating, click here.

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    Bushrangers Bash to help the kids through the Variety Club
    Mar 31, 2006

    Two of our newest and most adventurous Bushrangers have entered the 2006 Variety Club Bash to raise money to help disadvantaged kids. As “the Children’s Charity”, the Variety Club uses its funds to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged kids. The Bashers raise money two ways: by running fun events and by negotiating sponsorship for their cars.

    Ian Pritchard (car 181 in the bash) is coming to Corowa for the 2006 Bushranger Cup and at 7pm this Saturday April 1 he is hosting a dinner and “last man standing raffle” in Blackburn. A $50 ticket covers a spit roast dinner and all the refreshments for two people plus automatic entry into the raffle for thousands in cash prizes. To get your ticket and join Ian, PwJones and Arbeige at this glittering event, contact Ian on 0414 400 820 or at ipri2525@bigpond.net.au

    Paul Lambe (in Car 222) played in the Kelly Gang Shootout and will also be in Corowa for the Bushranger Cup. He will be running a similar fund-raising jaunt soon which we will mention here. He can be contacted on 0413 548 353 or pjlam@iprimus.com.au

    The sponsorship of the cars in the bash can be done two ways:
    Direct: where ALL donated monies go directly to the Variety Club of Victoria, and/or
    Indirect: where products, services and/or kind, enable the members of a car to raise funds for the kids that the Variety Club of Victoria help; e.g. products will be auctioned or raffled, workshop services, time and materials or car parts that will assist in getting the car to “Bash ready” condition.

    All sponsors will be acknowledged in any literature produced and will have their logo or signage on the car. Prominent logo signage is available on both sides of the car, together with the front and rear. Bonus spots are also available. The amount and size of signage is dependent upon the amount of sponsorship. And don’t forget that monies donated to the Variety Club are tax deductible. To find out more, click here for The Variety Club or over here to read up on the Bash or contact Paul and/or Ian via the details listed above.

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    The Frosty Beveridge's take out The Innaugural Kelly Gang Shootout in Yan Yean!
    Mar 27, 2006

    The Inaugural Kelly Gang Shootout was held yesterday in perfect conditions and was a helmet-full of fun for all involved. Five sturdy teams lined up for a best-ball ambrose assault on The Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean. In order of tee times, the line up was:

    The Frosty Beveridge's: Richard Fellner, Sam Saltis and Campbell Wilson
    The Beechworth Boys: James McCusker, Michael Mileo and Richard White
    The Euroa Removalists: Marcus Jones, Steve Noa, Mick Van Raay and Scott Wilson
    The Jerilderie Gents: Ian Crotty, Paul Lambe, Roger Schmidt and Sebastian Shand
    The Glenrowan Hacks: Roger Brown, Michael David and Matthew Pitt

    After a thrilling afternoon of golf and jocularity, a great time was had by all and “The Frosty Beveridge’s” stole the championship with a gutsy birdie, birdie finish. Below are the final results.

    Place

    Team

    Gross Score

       Handicap

     Net Score

    1st 

    The Frosty Beveridge’s

     68

     2

     66

    2nd 

    The Glenrowan Hacks 

    69 

    1 

    68

    = 3rd 

    The Euroa Removalists

    73

    3

    70

    = 3rd 

    The Jerilderie Gents 

    70

    0

    70

    5th

     The Beechworth Boys

    81

    6

    75


    Nearest the Pin on the 5th hole: Pw Jones

    Longest Drive on the 10th hole: Nugget

    Longest Drive on the 15th hole: Willo

    We have started a gallery of photos on The Kelly Gang Shootout page, which we will be adding to in the coming days. From Matt & Richard, thanks to all the hearty men who made the trip to Yan Yean to share in what was a most enjoyable day.

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    Teams and tee times for The Kelly Gang Shootout!
    Mar 24, 2006

    The teams for the Kelly Gang Shootout at Growling Frog this Sunday March 26 are listed below with the tee times. Please note: the pre-round festivities and preparations commence in the clubhouse at 11:30am. Each team will be assigned a handicap and rodeo requirements (minimum number of drives per player) at the pre-tournament briefing in the clubhouse from 11:45am. After a nerve-settling frosty pop, players will receive their light lunch, program, accessories and golf cart and hit the driving range before the round

    Travel: the trip is around 40 minutes from Bulleen. Either take the Hume north to Donnybrook Road or, if you are coming from the east, take the Ring Road to Plenty Road, head north and turn left on to Donnybrook Road in Yan Yean. You can view a location map on the Growling Frog website.

    For those wishing to engage in some early mental preparation, the nearest-the-pin will be at the 135 metre 5th hole and longest drive competitions have been set for the 360 metre par 4 10th and the 511 metre par 5 15th. For more detail on the course, have a look here at the Bushranger Review of the Growling Frog layout. After the tournament, photos, results and a comprehensive report will be posted here at Bushranger Golf!

    1:00 pm
    Richard Fellner
    Sam Saltis
    Campbell Wilson

    1:08 pm
    Andy Cunningham
    James McCusker
    Michael Mileo
    Richard White

    1:15 pm
    Marcus Jones
    Steve Noa 
    Mick Van Raay
    Scott Wilson

    1:23 pm
    Ian Crotty 
    Paul Lambe
    Roger Schmidt
    Sebastian Shand

    1:30 pm
    Roger Brown
    Michael David
    Matthew Pitt

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    Latest tournament news and updates to Bushranger Golf
    Mar 22, 2006

    The starting line up is nearly settled for The Kelly Gang Shootout at Growling Frog, the first event ever hosted by Bushranger Golf. There are still places available in this glamorous field but by sundown this evening the entries will be finalised and tomorrow morning we will post a news item detailing the teams. At this time, warrants have been issued for the arrest of the following Bushrangers:

    Roger Brown, Ian Crotty, Andy Cunningham, Michael David, Richard Fellner, Marcus Jones, Paul Lambe, James McCusker, Michael Mileo, Steve Noa, Matthew Pitt, Sam Saltis, Roger Schmidt, Sebastian Shand, Mick Van Raay, Richard White, Campbell Wilson and Scott Wilson.

    The latest developments to the Bushranger Golf website include the addition of a Bushranger Blog. It appears in the new Campfire page and creates the opportunity for the more passionate among us to air their valuable and insightful opinions on any range of issues relevant (or otherwise) to social golfers and bushranger activities. If you’ve got something to say, or want to know what others might be saying about you, just have a blog with us right here.

    Other recent site additions include the publication of the famous player profiles as they appeared in the Bushranger Cup programs. To read some ancient history on the trailblazing characters that shaped the destiny of 21st century bushranging, click here for the 2004 edition and click here for 2005. Coming soon we will also make available the profiles from the mighty 2005 Surf Coast Cup and there is a rumour that next week more detailed warrants and descriptions will be posted for the marauding participants in this weekends shootout in Yan Yean.

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    A Big Week for Bushranger Golf!
    Mar 20, 2006

    This week we host our first golf event: the ambitious Kelly Gang Shootout (KGS) at Growling Frog on Sunday, March 26. If you haven’t already, book now by clicking here as there are still a few places available in this illustrious field. We will also be releasing our first range of exclusive Bushranger monogrammed clothing and accessories. Well, hats and balls actually, but it’s a start. There will be a fashion parade at Growling Frog, probably consisting of Pw Jones walking around carrying one of our new hats and balls. To celebrate the occasion, KGS entrants will receive complimentary accessories to augment their excitement.

    Every day we are continuing to add more information to the site which we hope is of interest to Bushrangers. Recent additions include:

    The Campfire: stories, anecdotes and useless golf information

    Growling Frog Course Review

    The original 2004 Bushranger Cup Player Profiles

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    Bushrangers Review Growling Frog in Preparation for Upcoming Raid
    Mar 16, 2006

    On Sunday March 12, 2006, three intrepid Bushrangers braved the blistering heat, the occasional bluster of wind and countless strategically placed bunkers to make a reconnaissance of the Growling Frog layout before the breakout of the Kelly Gang Shootout on Sunday March 26. They found a glorious stretch of golf with a multitude of challenges for every player designed to utilise the natural attributes of this beautiful piece of Australian landscape. Some of the Red Gums on the course are over 300 years old and create an inspiring setting in which to golf. The fairways are a svelte carpet of Santa Ana couch and the greens of pure bent grass are true and fast.

    It is the perfect environment for any golfer who calls himself a Bushranger and for any Bushranger who thinks he can golf. In preparation for the inaugural Kelly Gang Shootout, we have set about reviewing every hole of this majestic Graham Marsh designed course. Click here now to read all about how to tackle this Frog with teeth before you saddle up for the first ever Bushranger Golf event on Sunday week.

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    Updates to Jack The Hack, The Murray River Golf Challenge and Bushranger Resources
    Mar 13, 2006

    In our quest to provide an enlightening online resource for Victorian social golfers and groups engaged in regular social golf events, new pages have been added supplying revised histories of the famous Jack The Hack and The Murray River Golf Challenge. It would be foolhardy to assume that these accounts bear any significant resemblance to the true and actual events that took place. This could be considered unfortunate for our journalistic integrity except most of the participants are themselves recollection-challenged when it comes to regurgitating the precise details surrounding their victories or otherwise at these thoroughly cerebral events.

    We also have new links on our Resources page to a range of golf courses, golf course guides, official Australian golf sites and topics as diverse as the bizarre life and times of two remarkable enigmas: Ned Kelly and Moe Norman. Enjoy.

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    Bushrangers Go Frog Hopping
    Mar 10, 2006

    In preparation for the upcoming Kelly Gang Shootout at Melbourne's Growling Frog Golf Course, Bushranger Golf has commenced 'Operation Frog Hop'; a pre-event scouting mission aimed at collecting valuable and insightful details about the course, environs, services, and most importantly, the 19th hole.

    Though details of the operation must remain secret, it is a safe assumption that the scouting team will consist of two Bushrangers, coming in from the Sou-South-East at dawn, riding low under the radar, at a ground speed of between 1-20kph (depending on cart/horse performance), with a payload of approximately 4 litres of high-impact beverages.

    We would like to state for the record that all rumours of strategic 'lost ball pre-placement', are completely and utterly preposterous, and anyone furthering said rumours will receive proper and adequate reciprocation in the handicapping process.)

    A full de-briefing of the operation will be delivered in the coming days, once de-classified by the proper authorities.

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    Important historical images resurface to shed light on the enigmatic history of Bushrangers
    Mar 09, 2006

    Many thanks to Ed Borland and Michael David for sending us the pictorial essays they had recorded of events at the Bushranger Cups. Ed was with us in 2004 and Michael is presently excited about chalking up a three-peat of attendances next month in Corowa. We have posted a selection of Michael’s photos on The 2005 Bushranger Cup page, the home page and a special photo of last years champs in the news item on The Kelly Gang at The Kelly Gang Shootout. Some of Ed's work can be seen on the 2004 page and the corresponding news item. We look forward to posting galleries with more images from these historic contests and, in future, each event organised by Bushranger Golf will have a comprehensive online wrap and galleries of images of the participants and action from on the course. Below is a classic picture made by Ed at Cobram-Barooga in 2004 of Old Silver, Boo and Crocko waiting for their turn to tee it up on Saturday morning. It doesn't get much more exciting, an yet tranquil, than this!
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    The 2005 BC Champions saddle up to make a raid on the Kelly Gang Shootout!
    Mar 09, 2006

    Attention all Bushrangers: it appears the rumours, that the 2005 Bushranger Cup Champions were imploding amidst a maelstrom of factional infighting and ego-driven discombobulation, may be completely without substance. The team which will carry the title of “The Kelly Gang” in Corowa as the reigning Bushranger Cup champions have collectively entered their new namesake event, The Kelly Gang Shootout. The ‘Frog’ may never have seen the likes of them before, with their rugged good looks and handsome comportment, but they shouldn’t expect to have things all their own way. Speculation is rife the tournament organisers are busily Kelly-proofing the course in an attempt to ‘level the playing field’. Furthermore, a number of powerful and possibly well-endowed bushrangers have recently entered the fray and promise to make this event a most memorable one on the Bushranger calendar. For your chance to take your shot at the Shootout title, go to the booking page to secure your place in this illustrious field.

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    Above are the 2005 Bushranger Cup Champions, looking anything but confident they can continue their form at the Innaugural Kelly Gang Shootout on March 26 at Growling Frog.

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    The Surf Coast Cup joins forces with Bushranger Golf!
    Mar 07, 2006

    Bushranger Golf is dedicated to promoting and fostering likeminded social golf groups who have created their own events, culture and history. The first group to join us and have information posted on their past events and upcoming activities is the legendary Surf Coast Cup. Originally devised by a group of Barnard boys and their devious associates, this is one of the most historic events on the illustrious Shabby Dot Com Tour.

    Pictured below is a near perfect representation of the front cover from the 2005 Surf Coast Cup program. Click here for even more infomation on this mighty event.

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    A Revisionist History of The 2005 Bushranger Cup
    Mar 07, 2006

    As part of our policy of ferocious revisionism, we have posted some of the details of the legendary 2005 Bushranger Cup. Tocumwal was the backdrop for what turned out to be a steamy hot-bed of golf, cards, food, wine, fun and more golf. The event was evenly poised after Saturday’s gruelling schedule but on Sunday, the swoopers came from everywhere. Unfortunately, they were all on the same team and Cash & Co. galloped away to a record victory. Click here to view more on the teams, groupings, scores and scheming that made the 2005 event a sure bet for fun.

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