Pattaya Mail Media Group was a proud sponsor of the
2014 Jackalope Open.
With no threat of rain in the Pattaya area, Friday August 1st started with
cloudy skies as 104 golfers made their way to the Burapha Golf & Resort for the
16th Anniversary Jackalope Open. Registration opened at 10:00 a.m. and after
checking in, collecting their anniversary shirt, Jackalope key chain and
Jackalope beer cooler, most of the players headed for their favorite spot – the
Caesar table for the Canadian breakfast specialty.
Those not brave enough to tackle a Caesar hunted down Woody and his band of
50-50 ticket sellers for the much wanted raffle tickets. By 11:30 everyone
headed out to the golf course ready for the shotgun start. Much anticipation
hung in the air as individuals prepared their minds towards a good round; of
course some of the golfers were thinking when they would see the first
“refreshment” cart.
With an unusual number of “no shows” this year, one determined to play was Greg
Cummins, who after been given 3 sets of wrong directions finally made it to the
course at 1 p.m. He quickly registered and ran off to join the rest of his team.
At 12:00 the shotgun was fired and the golfers were off and the field slowly
moved around the B & D courses. While out on the course, the golfers were
treated to the Blue Moose Sports Bar & Grill pork sandwiches delivered by a
fleet of “refreshment carts” and driven by the hard working volunteers.
With no rain, cool temperatures and not too many hold-ups encountered, the first
groups arrived back at the club house in less than five hours. The golfers were
treated to a splendid buffet provided by the Burapha staff while they waited for
their scorecards to be checked and tabulated by John Emmerson and his team.
With the stalwart Mark Gorda and his world famous Jackalope Jacket out of the
country, Lewis “Woody” Underwood stepped in to conduct the award presentations.
Woody led off with an introduction of past and present Jackalope committee
members and an account of the Jesters and Jackalope partnership, outlining how
over 4,400,000 baht has been raised over the past 6 years, which includes funds
to cover all the medical costs for two children, Tewid and Fey, living with HIV
and severe disabilities.
It was then time to get into the prize presentations and this began with the
technical awards. The Long drive winners were Richard Holt – B5, Danny Larsen –
D6, Danny Williams – B9, Penny Snyder – Ladies, Neil Sandilands – Rabbits.
Near pin awards were captured by John Emmerson, Tom Thompson, Chris Harkins,
Nuan Russell and Wade Oldenberg on B3; by Simon Philbrook, Russell White, Rodney
Russell, Suwanna Kerjaleon and Rob Kennedy on B8; Lumpy Russell, Goort Gelten,
Markku Tynell, Tai Kanchana and Joe St. Laurent on D2; and Simon Philbrook, Joe
Zonca and Bang Durant on D8.
John Emmerson was the Division 1 winner with a fine 39 points to finish ahead of
Lumpy Russell on 37, but Lumpy had the consolation of taking the overall Low
Gross award.
The second division honors went to Capt. Dumrong and his sparkling round of 43
points, four clear of Bill Thompson in second and Joe Zonca in third.
Division 3 was topped by Bobby Taylor with an equally fine 43 points while Matt
Millar finished second on 39 and Chris Harkins third on 37.
Jeeranan Duncan meanwhile was the winners of the Ladies flight with an even-par
36 points, three up on runner-up Oyjai Wilanan, and Joe St. Laurent won the
coveted Rabbits division with 28 points, edging Mark Westendorf on count back.
Then it was time to announce the 2014 Canadian Jackalope Champion, and this was
Rodney Williams with a cracking 43 points.
Finally the much anticipated 50-50 draw prizes were picked with the winners,
Mark Westendorf and JB receiving half of the total of 242,000.00 baht collected
on the day thanks to the aggressive ticket selling by Woody Underwood, Matt
Millar and their whole selling team – both young and old - who sold in excess of
4,500 raffle tickets. Sticky and JB generously donated a very sizeable amount
back into the charity.
The final prize awarded for the day was the Jack Levy – MLG Longest Holed Putt
Challenge on hole D9 with the winner Jeeranan Duncan receiving 10,000 baht and
the Jackalope Charity receiving 10,000 also.
Thanks go to all the staff at Burapha Golf & Resort for their excellent service
provided on the day.
Tournament organizers would also like to thank the following businesses and
individuals who either donated their time and staff or helped to raise an
outstanding amount in excess of 350,000 for the 2014 charity fund:– Ann & Dale
Drader, Baltex Industries, Bill Freeman, Bobby Clark, Bobby Taylor, Clayton
(Elwood) Taylor, Jacob (Jake) Taylor, Café Kronberg, Chris Harkins, Jack Levy,
Jesters M.C., Joe Ernst, Just Burgers & Staff Children’s Beach Party, Ken Cooke,
Kennedy Consulting Thailand Ltd., Little Britain Merchants, Malcolm Clare, Mark
Gorda, Matt Millar, Michael O’Halloran, Neil Sandilands, Nova Group & Jameson’s
The Irish Pub, Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Sports Club, Paul Ovens, Ray Lepard, Rich
Man Poor Man Guest House, Rich Man Poor Man Staff collection box, Rich Wibrow,
Sense Of Siam Int., Stephan Hoge, Tahitian Queen, Tai Kanchana Christmas shoe
sales, The Beaver Bar, The Golf Club – Brad Sproxton, The Haven – Steven Beard,
The Kerr Family (Jason, Mamo, Muffy & Ty), The Links – Russell Exley, Wade
Oldenberg, Wayne Ogonoski.
Thanks also goes to a number of individuals who have pledged support to this
year’s tournament, but due to work or other commitments were unable to be here:
Donnie Barker, Mike Peters, Rick Moren, Todd Moren, JD Loveladdy, Lorne Stoley,
The Lion Pup – Simon, Glen Fiala, JD Crowley, Andy Evans, Rob Kennedy, Kelly
Fecho.
Great appreciation goes to all the individuals who helped out at the
registration and scoring, the Blue Moose staff for the sandwich snacks, the
Caesar table “All Star Mixers”, the 50-50 ticket sellers, and all the cart
drivers who kept the golfers well stocked with their favorite “refreshments”. It
is the effort of all these volunteers that contribute to making the Jackalope
Open one of the premier tournaments in the area.
The Jackalope is not just about golf, it is also about giving back to the local
community. On this its 16th year, The Canadian Jackalope Open will again be
joining with the Jesters Care For Kids charity drive to help provide much needed
assistance to the poor or disadvantaged children in the area. For more
information, go to website:
http://jackalopeopen.org.
Jeeranan Duncan receives the 10,000 baht MLG Longest
Putt prize from Jack Levy.
Mark Westendorf and JB all smiles as they get their
hands on some 50/50 loot.
Low gross for the day was won by Lumpy Russell
(right).
Joe St. Laurent (right) – Rabbits champion 2014.
Jeeranan Duncan – winner of Ladies flight.
Bobby Taylor (right) – winner of Division 3.
Capt. Dumrong (right) – winner of Division 2.
John Emmerson (right) – winner of Division 1.
2014 champion Rodney Williams (right) receives the
Jackalope trophy from Dale Drader.
Another tee-shot flies straight and true.
The registration desk - a hive of activity.
A confident trio awaits the Noon shotgun start.
Scenic Burapha was presented in magnificent
condition for the Jackalope tournament.
Time for a cheeky refreshment before the off.
Dazzling smiles on the fairways.
Colorful attire was the order of the day.
Thumbs up for another great Jackalope tournament.
A show of strength on the practice green – but it’s
on the course that counts.