The history, details, info, facts, weather etc for the JAM 1998.
The thing you will notice about this report on Corowa is the lack of references to the course. Simply put Corowa is a pleasant layout with nothing that reaches out and says "phew, what a great golf hole". I think it mandatory in this golf mad world that ALL golf courses (pitch & putts included) should have a signature hole. It doesn't need to be the 17th at St Andrews or the 18th at Pebble Beach, but please, a little imagination for at least one hole. Now, where was I? Ah, yes, Corowa. Once again brown brick sleeping quarters totally devoid of imagination adorns this course. Corowa is a 2X18 layout, however this time there was not much difference in the layout of the courses, just the names. Can't for the life of me remember them.
Day one was a cold start. Teeing off early with a stomach full of very ordinary coffee makes for poor golf. Mulligans and furrowing popped up very early. The first tee on day one is always a challenge. Getting the ball into the
air let alone onto the fairway requires a great deal of skill, poise & sleep. All thoroughly lacking the JAMing four. The collective sighs of the members following us as we zigzagged our way down the fairway could be heard
across the Murray in Victoria. So that was day one. Dull eh on the golfing front?
Day two bought an air of excitement. An early start on the golf course ensured the JAMers plenty of time to head to All-Saints for lunch. Before the final putt had rested in the bottom of the 18th cup the other three JAMers where high tailing to the rooms to shower and change for the eagerly awaited All Saints lunch.
Lunch was magnificent, the wine that accompanied the meal full of flavor and a joy to drink, the post lunch Muscat smooth. The late afternoon sun was resting atop the vines, while the haze gave a softening hue to the skies and
valley. You know that softening in TV? Kind of like Sybil Sheppard in the series Moonlighting. The fun at All Saints reached its crescendo when time came to pay. Phoenix club members get a special deal when dining with their partner. Two of the four JAMers were Phoenix members, you work it out. Needless to say the staff were a little bemused by the news of the two honeymooning couples but obliged the discount anyway. The trip back to the course was punctuated by a stop to watch the moon rise over lake Corowa. Avery and Abbott remained in the car while Gibbons and Mackie starred at the moon. Abbot reminded Gibbons and Mackie that the staff from All Saints was not following so there was no need to continue with the charade.
Day three saw very little action. Abbott made a monster putt from what seemed the adjoining fairway. Avery won his first Jar after four attempts and we went home to separate houses.
1999