2011 Kelly Gang Shootout Program

The Golf

The Format: Teams of four playing two-ball ambrose best-ball on Saturday and four-ball ambrose best-ball on Sunday.

The Rules: Since slow play is a potential problem for our gangs, these rules are designed to encourage play in the right spirit and at the right pace. Teams play their chosen best ball on each shot and may place their ball half a club length (about 50cms) from where the chosen ball lies, no nearer the hole. Balls must be placed in the same cut as the chosen ball. In the interests of fast play from tee to green, teams are NOT required to mark with a tee and precisely measure from the chosen ball as they play each shot. Team members can play in any order on a shot. Putting: Once on the green, Bushrangers should mark near the chosen best ball so each team member plays from near enough to the exact same position.

Handicapping: Each person will be assigned a handicap by the handicapper based on official handicaps and information supplied by the Bushrangers. The handicapper will be governed by a commitment to rewarding good play according to a player’s ability. Team handicaps for the ambrose groupings are calculated from the individual marks.

Playoffs: In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will be conducted. Teams play together as a foursome (taking alternate strokes playing one ball). The order is continuous and carries over from one hole to the next until the playoff is decided.

Nearest-the-Pin & Longest Drive: Will be contested on both days and, in the interests of team gloating and solidarity, any player who wins a LD or NTP wins prizes and glory for his entire team.

The Rodeo Rule: This is minimum drives for each team member and will be enforced. Each team’s individual rodeo requirements will appear on their scorecard.

Additional Info

Rounds One & Two: 2-ball ambrose starting at 11:30am on Saturday. Competitors need to be at the course at least half an hour before hit off. All competitors have golf carts on both days.

Round Three: 4-ball ambrose from 8:30am on Sunday. Competitors need to be at the course by 8:00am.

The Presentation: After golf on Sunday, we will collate the scores and have the presentation as quickly as possible. The venue for the presentation will be back in the comfort of the motel.

The Package includes:
•  A $15 clubhouse voucher per person per day that can be used for meals or for drinks.

The History of The Kelly Gang Shootout at Glenrowan

The Kelly Gang arrived in Glenrowan on 27 June 1880 and took about 70 hostages at the Glenrowan Inn. They planned to derail a train of police coming for them and while they waited for the train, they kept the hostages entertained by breaking out the turps and firing up a party that was a rollicking good time. The party lasted for two days. Meanwhile the police avoided the derailment and laid siege to the pub.

The gang members, Ned Kelly, Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne, donned their now-famous helmets and armour (weighing about 44 kg), and fought a gun battle with the police. Before dawn on Monday June 28, Ned Kelly left the rear of the inn in his armour and circled behind the police. As the dawn broke, Ned cast an eerie figure marching out of the morning fog in his armour and overcoat, firing his revolvers. Police bullets bounced off his armour and it was not until the police shot at his legs that he slowed. He eventually collapsed and was captured beside a large fallen gum tree. He was near death and not expected to survive.

The rest of the gang died in the pub, probably from gun shot wounds, although the police bravely made sure by torching the building and burning Anne Jones’ pub to the ground. The police suffered only one minor injury: the senior officer, Superintendent Francis Hare, copped a scratch to his wrist, then fled the battle and was later suspended for his cowardice. Police bullets struck several of the hostages during the siege, at least two fatally. Ned lived and left on the train they tried to derail.

The Form Guide

The Glenrowan Hacks – Steve Hart, Joe Byrne and Dan Kelly all lost their lives at the siege in Glenrowan (June 26–28, 1880) that Ned had hoped would be the catalyst for a new republic. The myth of Ned grew as he somehow survived the ordeal having sustained enough gunshot wounds to bring down a horse. It was the first and last time they wore their iconic armour. In honour of this, the defending champions will play the KGS every year as The Glenrowan Hacks.

Ian Crotty (Crocko) – Comes to Tocumwal as a stalwart of this event and one of the defending champions after his stellar 2010 that saw him add two BRG Majors to his resume. After fighting for years to shake his tag of best player to only win one major, he has clearly decided that maintaining his winning form relies on not over-taxing his game with practice nor tournament play. Has super form at this venue but received an unwanted monkey at the Bushranger Cup in April this year. Returns to the town of that back-riding primate’s birth this week and may be looking to set a few things right by offloading it on the previous owner.

Gavan Doran (The Rose) – Loves this event, which he proved with a handsome victory in 2009. His game has taken great strides forward since that time so comes in here as a huge chance this week. Will look to do some multi-tasking and probably combine the trip north with a pilgrimage of appreciation to Rutherglen and a few of the renowned rouge vino producing establishments in this part of the world. Expect to see him well-stocked and riding high in the saddle the whole weekend.

Neil Hocking (Hocks) – One of the 2009 Champions who carried his team to a win at Rich River, he is in a rich vein of form with some epic performances on The SGA Tour. Has the unfortunate disadvantage of standing on the wrong side of the ball, but that doesn't need to phase him and consistently defies that disability with annoyingly consistent performances at every event he enters. Definitely one to watch.

Pete Russell (Rusty) – Made his BRG debut at this event last year and gave a good account and backed that up with sterling performances at the 2010 William Buckley Classic and the 2011 Cash & Co, Classic. Has been let down on occasion through the shabbiness of some team-mates, but will think he has put that right here with a far more stable combo. Can golf his bell when the conditions are right although his evasive skills are known to be suspect between rounds and he has a reputation for taking too much Gatorade on board between rounds.

Form: The defending champs are split over three teams this year, so this mob is the best we have to be The Glenrowan Hacks. Will contend.

The Benalla Burglars – As the major town closest to Ned Kelly's home, Benalla was the epicentre of Kelly's bushranging days and was the police headquarters for the Kelly Gang manhunt. As a lad, Ned famously gave three troopers a hiding one day in the main street.

David Regenspurger (The Hamburglar) – This big man has a big appetite for golf and loves nothing more than the cut and thrust of competition.  Is a big occasion player and won this event at his first attempt in 2008. Backed that up with a stirring win in the 2009 BRG Player of the Year. Loves the challenge of producing his best when it counts the most and is always in contention. Will produce the goods again here and will be hoping his shabby associates can do likewise.

Wade Jones (Mr Odds & Ends) – May be looking for redemption here this week as he returns to the venue of his bizarre sleep-walking escapade in 2008 when he got too close for comfort to the tournament handicapper in altogether inappropriate circumstances. Now resides in Benalla, a town famous for its part in the folklore of the Kelly Gang and where young Ned had his punch-on with Constable Fitzpatrick and his pals. Let’s hope this flighty stallion does not let his feet do the (sleep) walking this time and lets his clubs do the talking instead.

Dave Amos (The Swinger) – has become a regular at this event but is yet to open his BRG Major Championship account. Has produced some sparkling form on The SGA Tour this year which would suggest he has the goods and the form to get his mob in contention here. An old-school raconteur, he is up for a good time all the time and is happy to take passengers along for the ride. Expect him to make a strong showing both on and off the course and don’t be surprised if he is lurking around the podium on Sunday preparing an acceptance speech.

Matthew Thomas (T-Bag) – Won this event last year as part of his brilliant 2010 campaign where he also added a WBC title to his resume in October. Has two KGS titles to his name with a win at his first start in 2008, so loves this event and this format. Always produces his best on the big stage although has been rumoured to be working harder on his wedge pitching than his ball striking lately. If you hear the tell-tale helicopter whooshing of airborne clubs flying from his vicinity, you will know this flighty stallion is unsettled and he may not be in contention.

Form: A virile, potent and masculine outfit that has the bloodlines, form and competitive drive to take this event by the horns and give it a massive shake. If they can all stay in the correct beds between rounds, things could get very tight for them at the finish.

 
 The Frosty Beveridges – Ned Kelly was born in Beveridge, at the foot of Fraser’s Hill, 40 kms north of Melbourne. It was his first home town and is well known for being at its best when the temperatures are a little on the chilly side.

Cindy Wisseling (Cinders) – A true trailblazer in the macho world of Bushranger Golf, this ferocious competitor is the first female entrant in a BRG Major championship. Plays as much golf as anyone here and is a regular on The SGA Tour. Has plenty of form to recommend her chances with a famous win earlier this year at The Hacker Cup and several high finishes in SGA Tour events.  Has played these courses before and will not be intimidated by this step up in class, so don’t be surprised if she single-handedly drags her gang into contention.

Darren Jones (Dazza) – A well-travelled golfer of the highest order who has plenty to recommend his chances here. A scurrilous rogue and a golfing tragic, he will fit right in at his BRG major Championship debut. Has been a regular on the SGA Tour and covered himself in glory with a win at The Hacker Cup in 2011. Has great staying power so will take this step up in class in his stride and will be in the thick of the action before, during and after golf every day.

Rob Lugton (Luggo) – One of our defending champions here this week, he has been dubbed The Defender after his glorious 2010 campaign saw him achieve the unthinkable and make a clean sweep of the BRG Major titles, which means just about every time he tees up, he is defending something. Works as hard on his game as anyone here, although his 2011 form suggests he may have Baker-Finched himself as he has struggled to maintain his high standards. Has battled lately with the driver…and the putter…and many of the clubs in-between, so is looking underdone. Is well overdue and capable of springing a surprise.

Philip Smith (Lucky Phil) – Making his first start in a field of this quality and, like many before him, may be completely overawed at this huge step up in class. With glittering stars and legends of Bushranger Golf all around him, he may be so caught up star gazing and chasing autographs that he loses focus on the job at hand. Expect to see him come flying out of the gates and then struggle the longer the journey goes as he realises the sheer scope of the challenge before him. Will benefit for the run which will serve him well in future campaigns.

Form: Impossible to draw a line through the form of this rag-tag gang of wildcards. They could just as easily rip this field apart or disappear into oblivion. Worth considering for trifectas to add some value.

The Beechworth Boys – Ned was gaoled as a teenager for receiving a stolen horse. In January 1873, he was transferred from Pentridge to Beechworth Prison where he spent the next year of his youth learning from hardened criminals how he might become an upstanding member of the community.

Leo Ryan (Rhino) – Is making a big name for himself on The SGA Tour as an old-fashioned Jekyll & Hyde man with his dazzling ability to play every form of the game, from brilliant to depraved, within a short space of time. Recently belted the field with an SGA Tour win and followed that up by imploding and finishing at the bottom of the deck at his next start. Is a complete wildcard here and his team-mates will be hoping it is the svelte, smooth and debonair Rhino who shows up this week and not the stumbling, bumbling three stooges variety.

Wayne Ball (Ballo) – Made his Bushranger Golf debut at this event last year and nearly caused a massive boil-over by hauling his crew up the leader-board on Sunday will a stellar final round. The low marker in the field here this week, he regularly draws heavy criticism from the rest of the field for his sweet ball-striking, high percentage of fairways and greens in regulation and generally boring and unnatural approach to playing golf. Play his best with a few Beams on board, so listen out for the sound of cracking cans and cheering team mates from his group.

Paul Gray (Paulo) – This easygoing character brings a touch of jocularity to the field this week with his flamboyant style and relaxed demeanour. Made his BRG Major Championship debut at the 2011 Bushranger Cup and played superbly to come up just one shot short of a huge upset. Had a great start to the year with a win on The SGA Tour but has not played a lot of golf since then, so has some question marks on his ability to see out the journey here.

Brendan Vanderwerf (BV) – Made a magnificent start to his career as a bushranger with a podium finish at the 2011 Bushranger Cup and then a dazzling win at the inaugural Cash & Co. Classic in May this year. Has proven his capabilities as a big game player and has made a strong contribution to the après golf activities with his dry wit and easy-going style. Loves working his pill from the right and seems to have fashioned a swing that can’t do much else. Can whack his pill and is streaky with the Flatstick, so if he runs hot may be very hard to stop.

Form: Three of this gang are from the Sink Another SGC but have been abandoned by their spiritual leader Hendo. BV is the Jimmie Nicol of this scenario, slotting in to fill the big shoes & mass of the splitter.

 
 The Jerilderie Gents – The Kelly Gang popped by Jerilderie in 1879, held up the local bank, jagged a couple of thousand pounds, penned a feisty letter and wandered over to the Telegraph Office to chop down a few telegraph poles.

Brian Davis (The Mailman) – NBA basketballer Karl Malone was nicknamed The Mailman because he always delivered the goods. Our man shares the same moniker, but not for the same reasons – our bloke really is a mailman! Made his name at his first attempt with a win at this event at this venue in 2008. Has failed to trouble the engraver ever since but did make a very good showing in the final round of the Cash & Co. Classic this year. Has the unfortunate handicap of standing on the wrong side of the ball, but can get the job done when he settles early and finds his range with his very tasty short game. One to watch.

Terry Canfield (TC Canfield) – A long time bushranger member who has been grooming his game for many years in preparation for his first start in a Bushranger Golf Major Championship. Is bursting with anticipation to make his long awaited debut and shows all the traits of a BRG Champion so will not surprise if he puts in a quality effort first up. One of the more easy-going characters in the field, he is certain to acquit himself well around the bar and gaming tables between rounds.

Geoff Cutting (The Muppet) – made a relatively inglorious debut in the 2009 KGS and didn’t fare much better at the 2009 William Buckley Classic. After a wee hiatus to tune up his game, he will be looking to put that right here this week. Has been rumoured to have been spending more time in the boxing ring lately than on the practice range, so may not be coming in here with the ideal preparation. Has rearranged his face especially for this event and should come up looking a treat in the mounting yard.

Shane Morris (The Fridge) – Won this event at this venue in his first start in Bushranger Golf Major Championship and is teeing it up in the KGS for the fourth year running. Made a shocking choice of playing partners last year and his team-mates sank like a stone. Has put that right in 2011 with a hand-picked crew from his hometown who have the goods to get the job done here. Brought his own card table in 2010 which suggested he was not totally focussed on the job of golfing his ball. Is bringing less baggage this year which bodes well for his chances.

Form:   They clearly have the kahunas, bravado, golfing insanity and liver power, so must be considered a huge threat. If they have not blown up on Saturday, expect a barnstorming finish to challenge on Sunday.