The history, details, info, facts, weather etc for the JAM 1995.
A JAR is born.
Year Two was fought out under grey and cool conditions on a beautiful course at Shepparton, about one-and-a-half hours north of Melbourne (avg. speed 125 kph). Shep provided reasonable accommodation bordering the 18th green; good for a little putting and chipping practice late in the day, although it would be best to not let 'em know you're doing it! The course was very challenging and beautifully crafted. Each hole provided a new set of problems, even the easy holes, because you could always top the ball off the tee! ($10 says Simon tops it off the tee.) The members made us feel very welcome and the trophy now known as the JAM Jar was discovered high on a dusty old shelf behind the clubhouse bar. The Jar almost floated from the shelf toward the four JAMers as if some divine golf God had bestowed upon the JAMers that the dirty little mug would be the JAM Jar.
Breakfasts were edible and the room cosy enough to fit the four JAMers. Shep also provided an outlet via its local bowling alley. If you listen hard enough you can almost... almost hear the ball rolling toward the pins.
The first day�s highlight occurred long before a club had been swung in anger, although anger followed the highlight. All four JAMers were strategically positioned around the first tee, warming up under threatening skies. Small talk was in order and each had their own practice swing technique. Warm up tip for the uninitiated: never practise in the direction of others or you will pick up a pile of wet grass and mud on your down-swing and dispatch it over the most neatly dressed member of your group ... sorry, Mic.
Simon Gibbons, Jibbons, Gibbons was the second winner of the JAM and inaugral grasper of the Jar showing the field a clean pair of heels at Shep. He also displayed his tendencies of the teacherly kind as a couple of urchins appeared from the cemetery bordering the 18th fairway to appropriate his golf ball. Simon would have none of that and bellowed in the direction of the urchins, asking them to kindly put the ball back where they found it. Of course, had his directions been stated after 9 pm, a more colourful version of the English language would�ve been in order. The urchins replaced the ball and ran like the clappers. Simon also met some of the local members who offered advice on play. You see, Simon had played a pretty ordinary shot, followed by another pretty ordinary shot, dispatching the ball under a mature willow tree. His third strike was pretty ordinary too, and, as is his want, he let go one heck of an expletive @#!@. One nanosecond later, he spied a member who was scowling in his direction. Simon set off in the direction of the member, perhaps to beat him up. But no, Simon apologised for the language about which the member couldn�t have cared less. The member was upset that playing partner Sam Mackie was holding the giant willow at bay so Simon could swing at the ball. Whack � @%@#.
JAM namesake Abbott had the first and, to date, only eagle on a very challenging par five. Note: the hole was undertaking renovations and was about 120 metres shorter than normal and the cup was more like a bucket! However, a three was entered and the count shall be three.
1996