The match report, info, facts, etc for the JAM 2008
So often, it starts with a whimper and ends with a whimper. Sam Mackie won in the cool climate of the Mornington Peninsula by playing hot golf. Mackie played flawlessly over the three days showing that regular golf play will overcome.
Day 1 began on the Legends Course at the �home of Australian Golf�, their quote, not mine, Moonah Links. But we must travel back in time to understand how the event was to conclude on day three, �The Final Permutation.�
As is the case each year, the PRAM has made winners and snuffed hopefuls. PRAM 08 was no exception. Sam Mackie got his club handicap, the one he uses MOST weekends. Simon - Mokbel - Gibbons, who always reaches for the stars when he chases a monolithic handicap, reached new levels of voracity going for a number many modern day calculators are unable to fathom. The issue came for Avery and Abbott, who both have in the past played the ancient game on a regular basis. However, a six month layoff where muscle memory, touch and skill levels drop, counted for naught as both were furnished with their �old� handicaps. Very tough indeed! Not to be burdened by such a cumbersome disadvantage both played as best they could, given the long layoff, and as is often the case got found out on day three. JAM 09 awaits Avery and Abbott and they either need to get out on the track or scream louder than Gibbons.
Day 1 started under cloudy conditions both metaphorically and physically. The Legends course is a pup compared to Moonah�s Open course. That said, the scores didn�t reflect that. Important golf tip No 1. Keep the ball on the short grass, not the long grass, or the grass that grows under some of the trees that line the course, or the grass that grows in the paddocks of neighbouring farms. Keep it on the short stuff that looks like it is intended for unhindered golf play. From there you may have some kind of chance for posting a reasonable score (handicap permitting - see above paragraph!). Avery, as last years victor, hit the first drive of JAM 08 and pairings were decided. Abbott was pitted against �Mokbel� and Avery against boring old Mr Consistency, Mackie.
At the end of Day 1 Avery had played well to tie the day with Mackie on 9.5 points each, while Tony Gibbons-bel mocked Abbott at gun point all day dealing him a 13.5 to 8.5 turkey slap.
Day 2 came under the threat of rain as the JAMers made their way to Mackie�s home track, Portsea. Both Abbott and Avery were hoping Gibbons would be pulled back in the mix and Mackie didn�t disappoint, disarming the fugitive mariner 12 points to 5. Abbott struggled on the front 9 against Avery moping to a paltry 3 point to 6 but rallied to end the day with a total of 12.5 including an arsy gobbler from high above the green. At the end of day 2 Mackie held a two point lead over Abbott with Gibbons a further 3.5 points behind leaving Avery with an Everest like climb if he was to feature on day 3.
Day 3 �The Final Permutation� began under stormy clouds at the Dunes. Leader Mackie was up against a resurgent Abbott while it appeared Avery and Gibbons were making up the numbers. Once again Mackie got off to a flyer and by 9 holes, after posting an Adam Scott like 39 from nine, had ended any chances Abbott may have had. Raising his bat to the adoring crowd Abbott knocked in a two footer on nine to post a well constructed 50!! Avery was at the mercy of the Barron Gibbons and had been reduced to a drug induced coma by the Barron�s massive handicap and raised the white flag. It was now a battle between Mackie and Gibbons and though Abbott kept up with Mackie on the back nine it was over with four to play largely due to the chemistry of Gibbons going awry.
Mackie was the run-away victor, with Mokbel second and the literally handicapped Abbott and Avery third and fourth. Next year Murray Downs, and there will be much soul searching before then.
JAM 2008 Agenda
Get serious. It's on the Peninsula. Every man for himself!
Budget & Accommodation
If you sleep in your car and eat garbage, its just green fees!
Other Info
Here are the rules to Black Bitch, quintessential JAM reading.