It was a case of déjà vu at the 19th Jackalope Open charity golf tournament last week as Jason Manley returned to defend the title he won just 12 months ago, but this time with an even more impressive round of 45 points off his 26 handicap.
A field of 82 golfers teed it up at a resplendent looking Burapha Golf Course on Friday, August 4, all looking to chase down the elusive Jackalope trophy and enjoy some great camaraderie throughout the day. For those struggling at the start, help was at hand in the shape of numerous forms of refreshments and altogether some 24 cases of ‘aiming oil’ were consumed around the course. Fortunately the golf doping control authorities were conspicuous by their absence.
Before starting out the players were also presented with their complimentary Jackalope golf shirts and ‘goodie bags’ as well as being proffered kick-starters in the form of Canadian Caesars at the registration desk.
Once the golf was completed and the divots had settled, back in the clubhouse the players were treated to a delicious buffet dinner to accompany the awards presentation.
Jason Manley was named as a 2-time Jackalope champion following his outstanding round while Paul Greenaway won the low gross title after shooting 77 off the stick. At the other end of the score-sheet, Neil Sandilands just edged out Bobby Clark for the Rabbits award.
Numerous technical prizes accompanied by the lucky draw meant that most of those in attendance did not leave Burapha empty-handed. Bill Simonick won a Canadian themed golf bag and immediately asked for it to be auctioned off, and with three golfers bidding it sold for 14,000 baht which Bill generously donated back into the charity pot.
A feature of the Jackalope golf day is the highly anticipated 50/50 draw, and here providence sent down another thunderbolt as chief tournament organizer Mark Gorda saw his number drawn out of the hat for the second year in a row. As benevolent as ever, Mark kindly donated the entire 75,000+ baht into the charity coffers.
Thanks to these individual acts of generosity and vital support from the long list of tournament sponsors, somewhere in excess of 250,000 baht was raised this year to go towards the Jester Care4Kids charity drive.
Those who gave their valuable time and financial support to the day included: Pattaya Bay Real Estate, The Clubhouse Pratamnak, Bar 1 Ban Chang, Rick Moren, Todd Moren, Mike Peters, Neil Sandilands, Stacey O’Toole, Tinnies the meat pie specialist, The Blue Moose, the great work done by the beer cart boys, Woody, Bill Freeman, Mike and the management and staff at Burapha, John Emmerson, Bill Simonick, Larry Deverdenne, Rob Kennedy, Golfstar Brent, Sticky, Richie Rhodes and the Nirvana resort in Koh Chang, Fraser’s Restaurant, The Haven, Q Cars, Luc and Soda Lafriene, Pattaya Pickle, Richard Murphy, Steve Mascari, T.Q., Jesters, Jack Levy, Macallen Insurance, and Pattaya Mail Media.
Thanks go to all of these as well as to the players and the entire expat community for their vital assistance. Plans are already well underway for the 20th anniversary of the tournament next year. See you all there!
Jackalope Champion
Jason Manley 45pts
Low Gross
Paul Greenaway Gross 77
Men’s Division 1
1st John McHugh 39pts
2nd Jim Smith 39pts
3rd Paul Greenaway 39pts
Men’s Division 2
1st Steven Milne 38pts
2nd Craig Mansell 38pts
3rd Neal Hunter 35pts
Men’s Division 3
1st Bernie Morris 36pts
2nd Chris Harkins 35pts
3rd Bill Trainer 34pts
Ladies Division
1st Oiy St. Laurent
2nd Junko Nevis 32 pts
Rabbits Division
1st Neil Sandilands 37pts
2nd Bobby Clark 36pts
