2016 BC

The Event

The Format: Teams of four playing single stroke Friday, two-ball ambrose strokeplay on Saturday and four-ball ambrose strokeplay 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 play preferred lies – you may place your 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 balls and precisely measure from the chosen ball as they play each shot. Pace of play is important so do not waste time unnecessarily. Team members can play in any order on a shot. Once on the putting green, Bushrangers should mark near the chosen best ball so each team member putts from near enough to the exact same position.

No Gimmes: Some nutter once gave someone a short putt in a Cup. This is not on under any circumstances. We are here for fun, but the golf is (slightly) serious. The Bushranger Cup is a strokeplay event (not match-play) and every ball must be holed out. You can concede putts in one-on-one matchplay, but strokeplay is the field vs the field so no gimmes.

Handicapping: Each person is assigned a handicap by the handicapper based on official handicaps and/or info 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 handicaps.

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). Once established on the first hole, 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 all 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.

A Brief History of The Bushranger Cup

The Bushranger Cup was founded in 2004 with intention of bringing a group of pals together for a weekend of golf and fun. Gents who had accumulated other commitments in their lives, were playing less golf and mates were not getting together so often. The intention of the Cup was to address this work/life/golf imbalance by establishing an event so chock full of fun and drama that it could fulfil a fellows golfing, emotional and spiritual needs for a full 12 months if necessary.

The four-man team format is intended to be a vehicle for mates to enjoy the camaraderie and fun of teaming together. Since most of the original participants did not have official handicaps, the perennial challenge of managing Bushrangers became the guiding principle for the development of the handicapping system and format of the event.

Although it has been the catalyst for the formation of Bushranger Golf and Social Golf Australia, the Bushranger Cup remains a private invitational event. The Cup has forged a reputation for remarkable moments, great drama and hilarious fun and is now, some people say, arguably the most sought after prize in the golfing universe.

The Kelly Gang - The last and most infamous of all the Bushrangers, Ned’s crusade to secede from the colony and start his own republic fell slightly short of the mark. An expert self-promoter, he always knew the importance of snappy dressing for a photo opportunity.

Mark Henderson (Hendo) –  This BRG veteran comes in here full of confidence as the defending champ and is sure to let everyone know all about it. Also has a CCC title and a KGS trophy to his name and is rather handy on the sledge. A big hitter with an even bigger mouth.

Shane Lawlor (Lawlo) – This quietly spoken outlaw paid his dues at the KGS and then came of age with a swashbuckling win here last year. May find the going a bit tougher this year with a target on his back as every other team comes gunning for the defending champs.

Leon Doyle (Doyle-o) – This KGS veteran is making his Cup debut. A quality unit with an above average liver and a superb sense of humour, he will fit right in but may struggle to see out the distance as the whips start cracking around the home turn on Sunday arvo.

Wayne Ball (Ballo) – This little ripper has a golf swing that is as reliable as a trusty old bong, the nerve of a surgeon, a gold-plated liver, the experience of a crusty, seasoned campaigner and the equanimity of a…er…whatever has equanimity. A deserving champion & a top bloke.
 

The Aaron Sherritt Gang - Aaron Sherritt was Joe Byrne’s great mate and a trusted lieutenant to the Kelly Gang. Folklore has marked him as a traitor, but he played a delicate game of espionage pretending to be a police informant. He came undone when the cops got wise and spread rumours he had betrayed the gang. In the end, he was murdered by Joe Byrne for his apparent, but unproven, treachery.

Tomm Cassidy (Gnome) –  This driver-snapping freak comes in here as a defending champion having chosen to abandon his 2015 team-mates for a new mob. Has the ticker, the drive, the breeding and the experience to contend here but may not have the form this week.

Darren Nelson (Dazzler) – Just back from Thailand where he set the world on fire with his après-golf activities at the SGA International. This smiling assassin is a competitive bugger with a sunny disposition who loves all BRG and SGA events. Will have fun and should contend.

Ivan Jones (Moondyne Jones) – This globe-trotting golf tragic makes the trip from Perth every year for this event and is fresh off a grade win on the final day of the SGA International. A champion bloke.

Joel Matthews (The Shatter) – This dapper, couture-toting, glass-shattering, impresario of the fairways has the 2015 CCC & KGS titles under his belt. His run of wins came to a thudding end at the 2015 WBC. Might contend but may need a rail installed in the shower.
 

The Harry Power Gang - Harry Power was the wily old lawbreaker who mentored the young Ned Kelly in the refined bush arts of horse stealing and bravely hiding from the law in the scrub.

Nick Honey (Ho) –  Playing his 13th Bushranger Cup, this four-time winner and legendary man of the people will once again bestow his wit, wisdom and willingness to entertain on his legion of adoring fans. A superb team player with a dry wit and a penchant for fun, he is all class.

Richard Mitchell (Saddam) – The 2005 & 2012 Champion has returned to add to his legacy of legendary Cup moments. This man of many characters may have an unfair advantage with a cast of thousands in his corner all weekend. Always delivers maximum value.

Richard Fellner (Quigley) – The 2010 Champ returns for his 12th consecutive Cup with his obligatory annual incapacity. Certainly the most injury-prone golfer here. If you see him in a neck brace and a wheel-chair, perhaps think twice about betting the farm on him.

Mick Van Raay (Da King) – The 2011 Champ and two-time WBC winner rounds out the winningest team here that has 8 Cups between them. A magnificent specimen of BRG manliness combined with awesome gentility makes him one of the most special units here.
 

The Captain Melvilles - Captain Melville was a shabby small-time thief who was apprehended by police on Christmas Eve 1852 when, in a drunken stupor, he fell off his horse outside a Geelong brothel. He had aroused suspicion (and little else) among the local sex-workers by boasting to them about his illegal exploits. A real class act.

Ian Crotty (Crock Diddy) –  With a wit as dry as a chip, this culinary wiz is an acquired taste. With an A-grade game, a perfect attendance record and multiple Bushranger Cup victories under his belt, he always rates as a massive chance. A quality man, golfer, character and cook.

Sebastian Shand (Bastros) – This completely random unit has delivered some very memorable moments in Bushranger Cup history. With wins in 2005 and 2012 and an endless stream of anecdotes and allegories, he comes in here fitter than he has been for years. Alas, his liver has missed a couple of recent pre-seasons so he may struggle.

Gav Doran (The Rose) – This refined gentleman of unbelievable awesomeness would enjoy nothing more than to add this title to his trophy cabinet that includes a WBC win shared with the great Hocks. Loves this event with a passion and will be on fire here again this week.

Ian Steer (The Punter) – This walking dichotomy is a Magpie-man who has all his teeth, a Pie-eater who loves a red wine, a pie-chart maker who knows how to punt and a pie-in-the-sky dreamer who has his feet firmly on the ground. Confusing as all hell but a top, top bloke.
 

The Stringybark Creek Freaks - At Stringybark Creek in the Wombat Ranges in October 1878, the brooding confrontation between the Kelly Gang and the police exploded into all-out war. Three police officers lost their lives and the Kelly outbreak had begun.

Michael David (Mikey Dee) –  This ball-smashing, teeth-gnashing, fun-loving, fist-pumping, nut-busting, Cup-winning, crowd-pleasing, bourbon-gobbling enigma of BR Cup folklore is saddling up for his 13th Cup. He sets the bar high and jumps over it every time. A deluxe unit.

Greg Cousins (The Geesh) – This cheeky 2013 Cup Champion has a roving eye for a good time. Always on the lookout for a laugh and some fun, in a few short years he has become an indispensable part of this humungous week as we “Unleash the Geesh” for uber-excitement.

Brett Simpson (Simmo) – This low-key gunslinger maintains an understated demeanour accompanied by a superb dry wit. A 2013 winner with a heart of gold and a liver of steel, he will not disappoint.

Tim Holroyd (The Hatman) – This unbelievable unit has cemented his place in the annals of The BR Cup history. A raconteur par excellence, a punting machine and a brilliant man, he is without peer in this field.
 

The Ben Hall Gang - Originally the Frank Gardiner Gang, it became the Gilbert Gang when Gardiner was captured in Queensland in 1861. Then it morphed into the Gilbert & Hall Gang and later, the Ben Hall Gang. Their revolving-door policy remains strong to this day.

Dave Warwick (Diesal) – This charismatic, good-looking, healthy, amiable, fit, likeable, balanced, self-actualised, well-dressed, good-natured beer connoisseur has a golf swing to die for and three Bushranger Cups to his name. Makes everyone else look well shabby by comparison so is far from the most popular man here. Top shelf.

Phil Peacock (Phillo) – This fun-loving golf nut is one of the many Jekyll and Hydes in this field with a game so inconsistent that his team can only come first or last. Can equally shock with sublime ball-striking and utterly depraved junk, sometimes on the same hole. A weirdo.

Tom Tomlin (Sergeant Steele) – This stony-faced, intimidator has a crushingly dry sense of humour. Rather a dichotomy, he mentally destroyed some opponents in the TMMP this year and then undid all his good work by playing with new clubs that still had the wrappers on.

Dave Pollock (Toto) – Made himself a Bushranger Golf Demigod in 2013 with his impromptu midnight carpark concert where he DJ’d his way through the Toto playlist to an adoring crowd of one fan – himself. He sent the rains down in Africa and adds an exotic touch to this event.
 

The Captain Moonlite Gang - The devious Andrew George Scott, a man with three first names, became the infamous Captain Moonlite when he began robbing banks in the 1870s after throwing in a promising career as a preacher.

Matthew Pitt (Pw Jones) – A BRG regular and played a bit part in getting this thing up and running. Has played less golf than Arnold Palmer lately, but is happy to tell you he is back in form after a great Thailand tournament. Has 4 Cups and always performs well here.

Pete Russell (Rusty) – One of the genuine nice guys here, he raises the tone of the whole affair with his low-key, self-effacing style and casual dry wit. Unflappable in all conditions and has what it takes.

Graeme Silvester (Gra Gra) – After a few years in the golfing wilderness, has struck some form of late in his games on the SGA Tour with a string of high finishes. Seems more suited to the one-day format as his results in the longer version of the game leave a bit to be desired.

Dan Gardner (Dan the Man) – A massive golfing tragic, this dark horse is capable of turning on a magical display reminiscent of Tiger in his prime. A magician at making beers disappear, he has been known to accidentally over-medicate himself while relaxing between rounds.

Friends of Mad Dog Morgan - Mad Dog Morgan was an entirely unpleasant, undignified, bloodthirsty and unconscionable character who gave Bushrangers rather a bad reputation.  On April 11th, 1865, he was shot dead near Wangaratta after which his head was cut off and tobacco pouches were made from his scrotum.

Warwick Stonehouse (Boo) – It is very difficult to quantify this unusual carbon-based life form. Being in his company is like watching a caricature of God on acid performing magic in a cartoon by Escher on a 1,000 foot movie screen, in 3-D, with a symphony orchestra shoved in each ear playing Hendrix tunes. Won the inaugural Cup in 2004.

Rodney Moynihan (Rocket) – QLD rugger player who came south some years back who hates AFL, Minor Birds, walking golf and small dogs. Loves golf, golf carts, smashing golf balls and eradicating Minor Birds. Could be certifiable and should fit right in at his Cup debut.

Andrew Costello (The Lifeguard) – Could come in handy with the absence of Fraser Gough. Although making his BR Cup debut, he has contributed to the Cup already by interfering to save the life of one of our inaugural champions after Boo decided to mount a facial attack on the bottom of the Barwon River last year.  A handy guy to have around.

Martin Sheahan (Ma-Sheen) – A Kiwi turned Aussie who is a staunch All Black except when riding on the Hawks AFL bandwagon. Has a colourful past as a roadie for a bunch of Kiwi and Aussie bands and a reputation for an iron-clad liver that can absorb anything.
 

The Canvas Town Mob - A rare city-based mob of Bushrangers who operated in South Melbourne in the 1850s. They would knock off ships at port and then frivolously drink and gamble away their booty.

Robbie O'Donnell (Roo) – Is up for this weekend more than ever and has put together a band of travelling rogues from NSW to attempt a smash and grab on the BRC trophy. A lack of recent golfing form could hamper him but he won’t leave anything in the locker room here.

Mark Eagleston (Eagle) – Has a swag of SGA Tour trophies in his possession, but this one means a little more. Will be better for last year’s run and may be far more effective with no caddies to negotiate with after the round.  Will be in the thick of the action throughout.

Glen McGowan (G-Mac / Mick) – A golf slut of the highest order, this club-twirling, mardi-gras wand toting, practice swinging, mogul ski chipping champion is making his debut. May lack the liver power.

Nathan Smith (Baby) – Will be emotionally distraught after a poor Thailand showing and leaving his new soul-mate in Pattaya won’t help Baby’s mental and emotional preparation. A penchant for the booze may undo him here in his debut, as could his disintegrating golf game.