Events - The Cash & Co Classic - A social golf event

The Cash & Co. Classic (CCC) is a weekend social golf event established by Bushranger Golf in 2011. It is an opportunity for dedicated golfers to get away and test themselves on some great golf courses. In a break from Bushranger Golf tradition, this is the first weekend social event where players have to golf their own ball exclusively for the whole journey. No ambrose. No 4BBB. No chop out. We play three formats over three days - Par, Stableford and Stroke and run an Order of Merit type points system for the placings on each day. As Martin Cash was the most famous Bushranger in Tasmania, it was fitting that we kicked off the inaugural CCC on the most famous golf courses in Tasmania: Barnbougle Dunes and The Lost Farm.

In the first two years of the CCC, we played two rounds at Barnbougle (Friday & Sunday) and one round at The Lost Farm on Saturday. It was a deluxe golf trip with chartering private planes to take us directly from Moorabbin Airport to the golf courses. Since an annual trip to Tasmania is a stretch for some of our golfers, from 2013 we decided to play the CCC at a variety of locations with a plan to rteturn to Bridport in Tasmania for a feast of golf at the Barnbougle golfing smorgasbord every two years.

With the opening of the magnificent Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes golf courses on King island, we had many customers inquiring about an event staged at these remarkable new layouts. We threw the idea around and decided to redevelop the CCC and keep it as a 54-hole event but for it to alternate annually between two of the best golf destinations in Australia – Barnbougle Dunes & King Island.

As the event was growing, we wanted to move it within the growing stable of SGA events and tournaments. The next challenge was a new name. We wanted to maintain a connection to the CCC. As the event will be held annually at two Tasmanian golf destinations, we decided on The SGA Tasman Classic. As we have a history of past champions for the Cash & Co. Classic, we will continue this and the winners of the Tasman Classic each year will be listed in the Bushranger Golf history books as the CCC champions.

Cash & Co Classic Champions

The 2018 Cash & Co. / Tasman Classic

Info: The SGA Tasman Classic webpage
When: May 20, 21 & 22 2018
Where: Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm
What: 54 holes of mayhem over three days
Accom: On course hotel rooms at The Lost Farm Lodge
Travel: Fly commercial or join our charter flights with Vortex Air (see below).
Who: 64 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Who: 64 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Inclusions:  A dozen golf balls per person
                    Two nights accommodation (twin-share or a single)
                    All airport and golf course transfers on King Island
                    Personally hosted and professionally managed golf event
                    Scores for each round entered on GOLF Link
                    Your own copy of the Tournament Program
Deposit: A $200 deposit is required to secure your place.
Balance: Full payments are due two months prior (March 18).
Bookings: Email Robbie at nsw(at)sgatour.com.au or call 0439 144 256
 

The 2017 Cash & Co. / Tasman Classic

When: May 5, 6 & 7 2017
Where: King Island
What: 54 holes of mayhem over three days
How: Staying twin-share on King Island
Who: 72 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Why: For loads of fun with mates on super golf courses
Extras: A dozen golf balls per person
Entry: Full payments due two months prior to the event to secure your place.
Flights: Packages will include charter flights.
Prices: $1395 flying from Moorabbin

The 2016 Cash & Co. Classic

When: May 20, 21 & 22 2016
Where: Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm
What: 54 holes of mayhem over three days
How: Staying twon nights on-course in either quad-share or twin-share
Who: 40 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Why: For loads of fun with mates on super golf courses
Extras: 6 Srixon Z-Star & 6 Srixon Q-Star golf balls per person
             Personally hosted and professionally managed golf event
             Scores for each round entered on GOLF Link
             Your own copy of the Tournament Program
Deposit: A $100 deposit is required two months prior to reserve your place.
Entry: Prices below. Full payments are due one month prior to the event.
Bookings: Email matt (at) bushrangergolf.com.au or call (03) 5433 3213
 

Package One – Quad-Share Cottages at Barnbougle

Package Two – Twin-Share Cottages at Barnbougle

Package Three – Twin-Share Rooms at Lost Farm

The 2015 Cash & Co. Classic

The 5th Cash & Co Classic in May will be held in Victoria's gold-digging heartland at Hidden Valley Golf Club, Axedale Golf Club and Heathcote Golf Club over the weekend of May 22, 23 & 24 2015. Individuals and teams of two will line up for this grueling, spectacular, exciting and adventurous 54-hole event. We have two accommodation options at slightly different price points: The Heathcote Country Lodge and the Heathcote Retreat Motel.

When: May 22, 23 & 24
Where: Hidden Valley, Axedale GC and Heathcote GC
What: 54 holes of mayhem over three days
How: Staying in twin-share rooms in Heathcote
Who: 28 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Why: For loads of fun with mates on super golf courses
Payment: Full payment is required a month prior to secure your place.
Package 1 Entry: $310 (staying at Heathcote Country Lodge)
Package 2 Entry: $350 (staying at Heathcote Retreat Motel)
Package: The 2015 CCC package includes:

• Two nights accommodation in Heathcote
• 54 holes on three great regional courses
• Carts included for Friday at Hidden Valley
• Friday night dinner at a venue in Heathcote
• Your own copy of the Tournament Program
• Complimentary Bushranger Golf accessories
• Comp scores on GOLF Link, trophies and prizes
• Automatic entry in the SGA Tour event on May 24

The 2014 Cash & Co. Classic

When: April 25, 26 & 27 2014
Where: Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm
What: 54 holes of mayhem over three days
How: Staying in quad-share cottages at Barnbougle Dunes
Who: 24 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Why: For loads of fun with mates on super golf courses
Extras: A dozen golf balls per person
Deposit: A $300 deposit is required two months prior to reserve your place.
Entry: Full payments due one month prior to the event to secure your place.
Packages: This year we have packages with and without charter flights.
Prices: The land-only price is $490. Click the link below for more info.
Info: CCC 2014 Preparations page 
 

The 2013 Cash & Co Classic

When: May 3, 4 & 5
Where: Curlewis GC, Anglesea GC & The Sands Torquay
What: 54 holes of mayhem over three days
How: Staying in twin-share rooms at Peppers Resort Torquay
Who: 28 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Why: For loads of fun with mates on super golf courses
Payment: Full payment is required a month prior to secure your place.
Entry: $375 per person 
Info: CCC 2013 Results page 
 

The 2012 Cash & Co Classic

When: May 25, 26 & 27 2012
Where: Barnbougle Dunes & The Lost Farm
What: 54 holes of mayhem over three days
How: Staying in quad-share cottages at Barnbougle Dunes
Who: 20 places are available and the event is open to all golfers.
Why: For loads of fun with mates on super golf courses
Travel: Private charter flights from Moorabbin Airport.
Extras: 14 Wilson Staff C25 golf balls per person
Deposit: A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.
Entry: $880 pp (full payments due one month prior to the event)
Info: CCC 2012 Results page 
 

The Event Format

Given the story of Cash & Co (see below), the CCC is a golfing odyssey that intends to honour three golfers for their their daring, wits, fortitude, courage, endurance and skill. Rather than construct a format for teams of three (which is a difficult number in golf), the CCC is structured with an individual format and we will have a pairs and a singles category to determine who the three CCC Champions are each year.

We play a different format each day (Stableford, Par & Stroke) and run an Order of Merit points system: each day, player's scores are ranked from first to last and points will be allocated according to the player's rank. The points for the three rounds are totalled and the player(s) with the greatest points are declared the winners. In the inaugural year (2011), we had 16 players. Each day, the first placed player received 16 points and the last placed player received one point. Players tied on the same score receive the same points.

To establish the three winners, we run a singles and a pairs division. For the pairs division, all players are paired with a mate and the combined total of their points scored over three days are their pairs result. In the event that the individual winner is also one of the winning pairs team, then the next highest-ranked individual score is the individual winner so we have three Champions for the event. If there are ties then countbacks will be used to determine the winners. The CCC will count for points in the BRG Player of the Year (POY) title with POY points allocated for finishing positions in the individual CCC event.

Special Rules for the CCC

The Irish Drop Rule - Barnbougle has as a local rule that a ball lost in the deep rough can be regarded as lost in a hazard and the player takes a stroke penalty but not distance, so a ball can be dropped at the point of entry into the rough (as per a lateral water hazard). 

The 10 Shot Mercy Rule - For the stroke round we will have a 10 shot mercy rule. This means 10 is the maximum score for any hole so when a player has had nine shots and they have not holed out, they can pick up and record the score as 10. This will avoid any unnecessarily embarrassing numbers and help keep up the pace of play.

The Farmer Mulligan Rule - The Lost Farm Course has 20 holes - two extra (betting) holes are included on the scorecard as 13A & 18A. As we will want to play all 20 holes, we will include these two extra holes in our comp and players get two Mulligan holes. 13A is index 19 and 18A is index 20. At the end of the round at The Lost Farm, players eliminate their two worst holes and tally their score for their best 18 holes for the day. Note that The Lost Farm has suggested we play off The Terracotta Tees, which are their Blue or Member Tees. If players wish to play some or all holes off the back tees, that is up to them. 

The Boobyalla Break - Barnbougle Dunes has four sets of tees and each of the tees are recommended for players of a particular handicap range which we abide with. The four sets of tees are:

The Forrester Tees     (0 – 4 Handicaps)
The Boobyalla Tees    (5 – 17 Handicaps)
The Melaleuca Tees   (18 – 27 Handicaps)
The Marram Tees       (28 – 36 Handicaps)

Most of our players are in the 5 - 17 handicap range and we so suggest play from The Boobyalla Tees. The CCC rules are that players cannot move to a closer tee than their handicap dictates, but they can move back to a longer tee at any time if they wish. Hence, any players who wish to play some or all of the holes off any of the longer tees than they are required to play from are welcome to do so at their leisure.

The Joy of Golf: This trip to this superb, secluded and spectacular golfing destination is a privilege and delight for every golf aficionado. The competition we run is secondary to enjoying the experience of playing these golf courses in good company and enjoying a super golfing adventure. The comp is for some lightweight bragging rights in the bar after golf, but the intention of the trip is to enjoy this unique golfing experience. Hence, the rules regarding the tees are intended to be flexible and based upon creating the opportunity for each golfer, at their own level, to enjoy playing these wonderful and challenging golf courses.
 

Click here for the 2011 CCC Results page.

Click here to check out all the CCC photos at the BRG Picasa Galleries.

Who was Martin Cash?

Martin Cash (1808–1877) was a notorious convict bushranger known for escaping twice from the reputedly escape-proof Port Arthur prison in Van Diemen's Land. Born in Ireland, Cash was brought up in a wealthy family and was sentenced to seven years penal transportation for shooting a man. When Cash happened upon a fella trying to tune his girlfriend, he flew into a jealous rage and shot the bloke for trying to steal the girl of his fancy.

In NSW, the convict Cash received his ticket of leave after several years and worked as a stockman. After he was suspected of stealing cattle, he relocated to Tasmania where he was accused of stealing again and sentenced to another seven-year stretch in Hobart. He briefly escaped and 18 months was added to his time. He escaped again and almost made it across the Bass Strait but was caught and faced 10 years at Port Arthur, the so-called escape-proof colony.

His first attempt at escape from Port Arthur failed. However, on Boxing Day 1842, Martin Cash, George Jones and Lawrence Kavenagh absconded from a work party and hid in dense scrub-land. With little food, they made their way 15 km to the shark-infested Eaglehawk Neck. Swimming with their clothes tied in bundles above their heads, they made the other side. All three lost their clothes in the swim, so the naked trio robbed a road gang's hut for clothing, and began a twenty-month spree of bushranging. The three became known as Cash & Company and their reputation grew as they pursued a bushranging career on foot. They robbed inns and the houses of well-to-do settlers with seeming impunity, and without the use of unnecessary violence, thus earning them the reputation of 'gentlemen bushrangers'. However, in August 1843 Cash heard a rumour that his better half, Bessie, was with another man in Hobart. Enraged, Cash swore to kill them both and set off for the city immediately. He was quickly spotted in Hobart and a gunfight ensued in which a police constable was shot and killed by Cash.

Cash was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by hanging, but a last minute reprieve saw him sent to Norfolk Island. There he eventually became a trustee, and later a constable. He married in 1854 and had a daughter named Monique. Between 1854 and 1856, he was an overseer in the Royal Hobart Botanical Gardens. He subsequently he travelled to Christchurch, New Zealand where he kept several brothels.

Cash's Irish charm and cheerfulness, and the chivalry and enterprise of his rebelliousness, made him a popular scoundrel. In his later years he was well known and enjoyed the goodwill of all. Before his death, Cash made the acquaintance of James Lester Burke, an Irish expiree and able writer, who induced him to narrate his career. His 1870 autobiography The Adventures of Martin Cash, ghost-written by Burke became a best seller in Australia.