2020 WBC

The Golf

The Format: 36 holes of 2-ball ambrose over two days for stableford points. Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin will be contested each day.

The Rules: Since slow play is a potential problem for us, 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 50cm) 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. Please have fun, move quickly between shots, keep up with the group in front and pick up your ball when you have scratched on the hole.

Putting: Once on the green, Bushrangers should mark near the chosen best ball so all team members play from near enough to the exact same position.

Handicapping: Each team will be assigned a handicap based on official Australian 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.

Playoffs: In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will be held. Teams play together as a twosome (taking alternate strokes playing one ball). Teams can determine the order as each member takes their first shot. This order is then continuous and carries over from one hole to the next until the playoff is decided.

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

Who was William Buckley?

Born in Cheshire, England in 1780, William Buckley fought as one of the King's Own Regiment against Napoleon's forces in the Netherlands. He was convicted of receiving stolen cloth in 1802 and was sentenced to transportation to Australia for 14 years. He was among 300 prisoners sent out in 1803 to establish the first settlement on Victoria's Port Phillip near what is now Sorrento.

Buckley and two others escaped in December 1803 with the aim of getting to Sydney. Alas, they went the wrong way and circled Port Phillip Bay. Due to the harsh terrain and lack of food, Buckley's companions decided to return to the settlement and give themselves up. But not the determined Buckley. It was the last time any white man would see of him for 32 years.

A powerful man standing over 6'6", Buckley pressed on along the coast to Breamlea, Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and beyond. His first permanent resting place was near Mount Defiance where he found an abundance of shellfish, edible vegetation and natural cover. In the winter, Buckley was close to death but was rescued by an Aboriginal tribe.

Fortunately for Buckley, the locals believed that white people were Aborigines who had come back from the dead. They named him Murrangurk and took him in as one of their own. For the next three decades, Buckley travelled extensively throughout the region, mostly around Geelong, Barwon Heads, and the Otway Ranges. On July 7 1835, Buckley wandered into a camp of John Batman’s party and reacquainted himself with European society.

He was the first European to walk the bush on both sides of Port Phillip Bay, living off the land and on the run from the law. Given that our determined Bushrangers regularly ingratiate themselves with the locals on our trips and that this tournament is played on courses on both sides of the bay, we think it is fitting that this event is known as The William Buckley Classic.
 

The Form Guide

The Murrangurk Masters – Early in his travels, William Buckley found a spear by a grave near Torquay. It belonged to the respected warrior Murrangurk. The locals believed Buckley to be Murrangurk returned from the dead as a giant white man. The two-player team format and the name of WBC perpetual trophy reflect the lives of these two men combining under one name and each year the reigning champions will play as The Murrangurk Masters.

Jason Pratt (JP) & Sal Amenta (As a mental) – This worldly and erudite combination are the defending champs and will be brimming with confidence having carried all before them in 2019. They bobbed up in a blanket finish to win in brilliant style last year and they are among the favourites again this year. This big-hitting, knee-slapping, gut-wrenching, ball-bursting, rib-tickling, nut-busting, side-splitting pairing with a devil-may-care attitude believe they can go back-to-back and obliterate the field here once again. Both can golf their balls with the best of them, but they have been overlooked in the betting ring and are grossly over the odds so call your bookie immediately and back them to the hilt. A huge favourite.

The Sullivan Bay Ginger Bread Men – Buckley and two other convicts escaped from the camp at Sullivan Bay near Sorrento on December 27, 1803. The others turned back after a few days, but Buckley pressed ahead and stayed on the run for the next 32 years.

David Warwick (Diesal) & Phil Peacock (Dust) – This Jekyll and Hyde combo are capable of serving up anything worthy of Palmer & Nicklaus right through to something more resembling Laurel & Hardy. Their golfing ability is not in question as they can whale the pill all over the park and they won the 2011 WBC. The trick for them is somehow harnessing their rabid commitment to the social aspects of the weekend and sometimes over-indulging in the good times and camaraderie on offer. They certainly have their priorities right and are a good chance to winkle themselves into contention. They may just have the perfect mix of wily experience and youthful enthusiasm to get the job done here. A big chance to surprise.
 

The Corio Bay Fugitives – Buckley and his two fellow escapees reached the waterfront on Corio Bay at what is now Geelong a few days after escaping. He came to know this area very well over the next 32 years.

Jeremy O’sullivan (Jezza) & Nathan O’sullivan (Nazza) – Given their superb pedigree and connections, expect this virile and uncompromising pair to be in the thick of things this week, both on the course and off. They add a touch of class to a field that is already glittering with golfing superstars and they will be looking to make a big showing. Will need to pace themselves to ensure that they have enough in the tank at the business end of the weekend to stay with their more fancied rivals. A wildcard in the deck and not the biggest roughies here this week, they will certainly be backing themselves, even if no one else does. Could surprise.
 

The Mount Defiance Alliance – At Mount Defiance just past Lorne, Buckley found a cave with fresh water and food nearby and made it his first permanent home, living there for several months through the autumn of 1804. As winter set in, he began to struggle and decided to make the long trek back to Sorrento.

Mick David (Mikey D) & Roger Brown (Arbeige) – This outrageous duo dominated the early years of this event by cramming in as much golf, fun and ridiculosity as humanly possible and romping away with the 2007 and 2008 titles. Reunited for the first time here since 2011, in the past the fun involved 72 million holes of golf and just as many laughs. How they will cope with a covid-styles 2020 event in is unknown, but given their past form, they will take it in their stride. They always come determined to have a good time for a long time and will certainly figure in the finish but can reasonably expect a rather lukewarm reception at the presentation ceremony if they achieve their devious ambition of posting their third WBC title after a decade long hiatus. An unbelievable combo of hitting power, self-belief and unfathomable confidence, they are a massive chance.
 

The Barwon Heads Sir Robins – On his first day marching alone, Buckley happened upon a group of Wathaurong people camped peacefully by the Barwon river. Fearing for his life, he silently crossed the river at the heads and bravely ran away.

Ian Steer (Steery) & Geoffrey Steer (Bleary) – This unlikely combo of golfing superstars may surprise many with their uncompromising good humour, insatiable appetite for destruction, unstable character flaws, dry wit and cavalier approach to good times on and off the golf course. One is a wily old stager who has played in heaps of BRG Majors and the other is a newcomer to the scene who has made a big impression of late. Can this veteran and rookie combo find the perfect balance of youthful enthusiasm and sage experience to prevail here this week? Perhaps not, but it will sure be a lot of fun watching their bandwagon come steaming round the home turn with wheel nuts loose, nostrils flaring, flanks sweating and eyes popping out their heads as they come crashing towards the finishing post.
 

The Indented Heads – It was at Indented Head in 1835 that Buckley, after 32 years in the wilderness, decided to return to European society when he walked into the camp of John Batman’s exploration party. Standing 6’ 6”, dressed in possum skins and carrying a spear, a driver, 5-iron, wedge and putter, he made quite a first impression.

Rob Darcangelo (Dark Angel) & Andre Georgeio (The Giant) – It is the first start for this pair in a field of this quality, but they come in here with a reputation as big-game players with a thirst for the spotlight. A very easy-going combo, they know how to handle themselves at the between-round festivities and will make a strong impression around the WBC campfire. Although relative unknowns here, their connections are hugely confident that they will comfortably see out the journey. If that mail is all correct, then this pair will win – go now and pick out the bookie you most want to take to the cleaners, take whatever odds are on offer and then just sit back & relax & wait for the riches to start rolling in. This combo appears to be a lay down misère, so get on board and bet the farm!
 

The Swan Island Hackers – Buckley and his two fellow escapees reached Swan Island at Queenscliff on New Year’s Day 1804. It was here that the other two chose to return to Sorrento but Buckley refused to give up and made the momentous decision to press on alone.

Michael O’sullivan (Micky O) & Rob Fuleky (Flukey) – First start for this combination in a field of this quality and there are huge question marks over whether they will handle the step up in class. Can they cope the long days toiling on the golf course and the even longer nights around the campfire singing songs, spinning yarns, making merry, telling gags and goofing off? Getting involved in general, common or garden-style Bushranger shenanigans can take their toll on even the most battle-weary competitor. They will come out swinging early but expect to find them gasping for air by Sunday arvo and requiring some serious medical attention after having been completely overwhelmed by the mighty WBC!
 

The Bream Creek Freaks – Buckley cruised past 13th Beach and crossed Bream Creek the next day. Later he returned and it was here he built a substantial hut and lived for many years on the abundant supplies of food, including the fish he trapped in the creek.

Tom Tomlin (Tommy) & Pete Jensen (Pyjamas) – This sophisticated combo appear to have the pedigree, skill, looks, style, class, ticker, confidence, experience, power, touch, perspicacity, wardrobe, humility, nous, teamwork, all-around game, background, schooling, and contacts to perhaps consider having the potential to possibly do something not altogether unexpected on and off the golf course here this week. Maybe. Have both played a lot of golf, but they are rumoured to have never partnered on a team which may or may not work in their favour or against it within a predetermined set of parameters. Despite this conflict of paradigms, they remain a big chance here. With more raw intelligence, charisma and equanimity then the rest of the field combined, they have the capacity to produce the goods when required. A huge contender.
 

The Aireys Inlet Slicers – As his situation became more wretched as he trekked alone, Buckley found clear water at Aireys Inlet and much needed food. He built his first dwelling near here, a primitive hut of which Maslow would have been proud.

Mark Henderson (Hendo) & Aaron Henderson (A-Aron) – This combo are perennial contenders in the BRG Championships and have proven themselves as big game performers. A pairing of sartorial splendour and metrosexual sensibilities that raises the tone of the entire event and gives the field here the finishing polish it so richly deserves. A very easy-going pair who know how to handle themselves between rounds, their main problem is that they have not shown any recent form whatsoever. Will need to jump from the barriers and clear out to a massive early lead if they are to have any chance. Look for a stronger showing at around the campfire than anything they can conjure on the course. They can both give the pill a decent whack, but they really seem to be a long shot here and probably just making up the numbers.
 

The Torquay Hookers – Buckley camped on the banks of Spring Creek at Torquay during his solitary march through the district in 1804. It was here he picked up the spear from the grave of Murrangurk that later would be his saviour.

Dean Connell (Honeymoon) & Rob Robinson (Rob Robbo) – These two devious reprobates must be respected and regarded as a massive chance here if they can briefly curb their impetuosities. One of the most enigmatic combos here, this Jekyll & Hyde combo are a completely unknown quantity, even to themselves. Whether they end up combining like nitro & glycerine or yin & yang remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: if Honeymoon’s long game is on song and Robbo can get the pill in the hole, they are capable of posting a low score that might shake up this field. Will certainly start as roughies, but their odds may be reeled in on Saturday night if they are able to get going early. Consider for quaddies.