The latest details, info, facts, weather etc for the JAM 2002
2002 Yarrawonga
Jam 2002 saw the first repeat venue to host the battle for the Jam Jar. There was but one problem, last year�s JAM winner Michael Avery left the famous Jar at home. A travesty, an utter disrespect for the JAM and above all he illustrated his disregard for the coveted Jar. This most sacrilegious behavior was met with utter disappointment by the other JAM members and at one point Avery�s handicap looked like it would be loaded up like a Nepalese Donkey on it�s way to the Himalayas.
A slight change in format saw the PRAM take place the night before round 1. Gibbons espoused his reasons for the greatest ever handicap and once again Abbott was left to illustrate the methods of handicapping and the reasons for handicapping, while Ang San Mackie & Butros Butros Avery sat back in a state of torpor as Abbott and Gibbons fought it out. Handicaps for JAM 9 were Abbott 0, Mackie 2, Avery 12, and Gibbons a Ned Kelly like 16.
Day 1 and the JAMers rose to beautiful sunshine and very very cruisey morning�s activities. A late breakfast and banter followed by a 12pm tee off on the fabulously crafted Murray Course. Competitors were determined and the fracas began. Abbott took on Mackie, & Gibbons sized up last year�s winner Avery.
Both Mackie (87) & Abbott (86) shot scores under their handicap and finished the day even on 11.5 points courtesy of every damn bonus point on offer including a monster putt of Abbott�s. Mackie took the unprecedented step of declaring that JAM 9 will host a feast of monster putts. Gibbons (108) & Avery (104) presented a less enthralling contest and finished 9.5 to 8.5 in Gibbons� favour.
Day 2 again began at a civilized time and the JAMers enjoyed sun, little wind and a disproportionate opinion of ones golf. The Lakes course was in fine nick and hosted the pairings of Abbott vs. Avery & Mackie vs. Gibbons. Day 2 is moving day traditionally in the JAM. Someone drops the ball, mopes around cussing and bleating and as a result their match play opponent zips off into the distance. Gibbons provided Mackie with the perfect escape. Mackie (89) positively whopped Gibbons (113) by a massive 9 points 14.5 to 5.5. Abbott (88) battled it out with Avery (100), Avery finishing 1 up 10 points to 9. It would take a miracle to catch Mackie on day 3 but stranger things have happened.
Day 3 and back to the Murray course; Mackie began the day with a massive 5-point lead, the question was Mackie by how far? The second question was, had he pulled the wool over the JAM committees� eyes by stalling his handicap progress at Portsea Golf Club? He was in fact the only JAMer to better his handicap, scorching around the tough Yarrawonga layout 6 under over the three days.
So off they trudged Mackie taking on last year�s victory Avery, kind of a prophetic passing of the JAR, pity there was not bloody Jar. Gibbons set about maintain his excellent record against Abbott. I could go on about the weather, and, well, it was sooo beautiful, blue sky chirping birds and the deafening shriek of the sulfur crested cockatoos.
All went well early on without any player getting the ascendancy on their opponent, which ultimately worked in the favor of the Handicap manipulator from Portsea. Some scintillating golf was present again on day 3. Mackie was knocking in monster putts from out of his bum extending his lead. By the ninth it was all over, Abbott had been dealt his usual Gibbons touch up courtesy of the PRAM and it was good night. Mackie (85) racked up 4 bonus points on day 3 to take his day 3 total to 14 points while Avery�s attempts to stop Mackie could be likened to a wet piece of paper taking on a bullet. Mic managed 98 off the stick and 9 points.
Abbott (87) could manage just 8.5 points as Gibbons �stole the day� with a 96 off the stick (7 under his outrageous handicap) and a massive 11.5 points. Had he kept it together on day 2 he may have challenged.
Results.
Mackie 40 pts 7 bonus points
Abbott 29 pts 5 Bonus points
Avery 25.5 pts 2 Bonus points
Gibbons 25.5 pts 1 Bonus point
JAM 2002 Heads for the Murray
The Jam 2002 find itself at the first return venue, Yarrawonga (Aboriginal for ball in the water). Three rounds of Match play.
Friday 5 April, Day 1 rise, smoke, eat breakfast, find golf gear that Simon has hidden, rebuild buggy, straighten putter, shower, leave room, check in at pro shop, return to room, retrieve wallet, arrive at proshop again,
HIT OFF AT MIDDAY
Saturday 6 April, Day 2 play cards, drink red wine, go to sleep, rise, smoke, eat breakfast, find golf gear that Mic has hidden, block nose after Sam has been to the toilet, gasp for air, dry wretch, leave room angry,
arrive at proshop
HIT OFF AT 10.20am
Sunday 7 April, Day 3 play cards, drink red wine, go to sleep, rise, smoke, eat breakfast, find clothes that Simon has hidden, pack leave room, forget to check out, arrive at proshop, return to room, un pack, get wallet, return
to proshop,
HIT OFF AT 8.20am
Budget & Accommodation
OK then, Yarrawonga is booked as follows. These dates were tight.
Friday 5 Apr 12pm tee off Murray Course
Saturday 6 Apr 10.20am tee off Lakes Course
Sunday 7 Apr 8.20am tee off Murray Course.
Deal 3 nights (Thurs/Fri/Sat), two breakky, two dinner, three nights
accom, two rounds $260 each. We will need to pay for the third round as they only have two night packages.
Jamie - Sam is off 14 - Abbott.
The home of the 2002 JAM. Click here for Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club and JAM Weather Central Yarrawonga Office.