Due to the current tough economic times the field was limited to 71 entrants for the 21st annual Canadian Jackalope Open charity golf tournament, held at Burapha Golf Club on Friday, August 2. Unfortunately, one of that number couldn’t even peg it up as he was still a little ‘full’ from the night before, so before the starter sounded his horn for the traditional 12 o’clock start, one cart driven by a young Thai lady, with a snoring passenger, left the field, leaving 70 players to tackle Burapha’s American Woods and British Links 9’s.
Pre-tournament refreshments were supplied by Nike Handely who prepared two big trays of Aussie sausage rolls to ensure that every golfer had a bite to eat before teeing off. Once out on the course, the players were closely shadowed by the traditional refreshment vehicles, fully laden with teeth-cracking cold amber liquid, or as the sign on the fronts of all these four carts said, ‘Aiming Oil’.
There was just enough room for one group per hole, so those that did play got around in right around 4 hours. The highlight of the day came on the 133-yard par-3, B-3 hole, where Gordon Rhind took a mighty swing with an 8-iron, his ball faded onto the green, bounced twice and had just enough on it to roll in the hole for the first ever hole-in-one in Jackalope history.
The last group of golfers made it into the clubhouse shortly after 4 o’clock, and after a refreshing shower they proceeded to the main hall where Ms. Wattana’s crew had laid out another mouth watering feast, which every golfer ate enough to fill their bellies.
The Emcee took to the stage and after thanking all the golfers it was straight into the prize presentations.
First to receive an award was Rooster nearest the pin on A-3, Dave Stockman, nearest the pin A-6, the aforementioned Gordon Rhind for his ace on B-3, and finally Pattaya’s gentleman around town, Mr Simon Philbrook nearest the pin on B-8.
Long drives for all divisions were up next, and none of the ladies managed to land their ball on the fairway, so no ladies winner this year. Rabbits Long Drive went to Dennis Themack, Men’s 3rd Division winner was Tony Rodriguez, 2nd Division winner was Alan Abernathy, and 1st Division winner Geoff Boyzz.
The Longest First Putt on B-9 along with a prize of 20,000 baht was won by Chris Oxley, and after a quick phone call to Mr. Oxley the entire 20,000 baht was donated to the charity purse, well done Chris!
On to the division winners, 2nd place in the Ladies flight was Lek Granatke with 28 points, and the 1st place prize went to Noodle Russell with 38.
In the Rabbits division, 3rd place was occupied by Bill Trainer with 31 points, 2nd was Mick Jones with 33 and 1st place winner of the Rabbits was Jason Manley with 38.
Men’s 2nd division 3rd place was Lumpy Russell who won on countback with 36 points, 2nd place went to Paul Ovens with 37 and 1st place in Men’s 2nd division was Stuart Banks with 38 stableford points.
Mens 1st division 3rd place was won by Steve Moray with 35 points, 2nd place went to Paul Greenaway with 36 and the winner was Jeff Acheson with 38 points.
The Low Gross of the day was posted by none other than Simon Philbrook, who shot a 78 off the stick, and the overall Men’s Champion with a total of 39 stableford points was Gareth Gill.
After a short speech by Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood and Paul from the Camillian Centre in Rayong the 50/50 draw was started and a total of a dozen prizes were given out, including several bottles of premium liquors, two complete home exercise sets kindly provided by SEARA Sports, a Jackalope golf bag, one month free car rental courtesy of Jon Fox at Q-Cars, and a 6,000 baht labour and materials voucher for keeping a swimming pool clean and healthy, kindly donated by Paul Bodkins at Pool Masters.
The following is a list of the kind-hearted individuals who donated time, money, or goods in order to make this event happen: Mike O’Hallorhan, Bill Simonic, Wild Bill Freeman, Ae and Eddie Behr for providing the pulled pork burgers from RMPM ‘The Shack”, Bernie Tuppin, Woody from TQ and The Jesters, Neil Sandilands, Bobby Clarke, Mike Handley from Tinnie’s, Stacey O’Toole, Richard Murphy, Justin Rabb from Just Burgers, Stewart and Randy Sherwood, John Emmerson, Clayton, Jake and Bobby Taylor, Douglas Jaster, Joe St. Laurent, Jack Levy, Thai T-shirts for boot bags, Jon Fox from Q-Cars, Richy Rhodes from Nirvana, Stephen Beard from The Haven, Peter Malhotra from the Pattaya Mail, Jason Manley from One bar, Dennis from the Mexican Cantina, Steve Mascari from Sawasdee Cup, Stewart Fraser from Fraser’s Restaurant, Indian by Nature and Jack and Dave’s tailors, Andrew from Seara Sports Equipment, Paul Bodkins from Pool Masters, Richard Murphy, Rick and Todd Moren, and last, but certainly not least JD Crowley.
Although we didn’t raise as much money as we have in the past, we still did raise a respectable amount and that will go directly to the Camillian Centre in Rayong.
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