I'll Get 'Em Next Year

2011 Awards

As is customary, the FocDoc champion received his lime green jacket and trophy. The only other award is that Billy will receive a mulligan off the tee on the first hole of the championship round in 2012. This year was special for Billy of course, as it helped to erase the shame of winning in 2010 with an illegal driver, and having his name officially changed to Billy*. As of writing we have not found any reason to retain the asterix, but we are looking.

The proud winner being presented with his spoils:

Of course the FocDoc is not only about glory. There are more dubious awards up for grabs which were presented following Sunday's round:

The Bradman - awarded to John for his tournament record (low) of 6 stableford points, playing to an 84 handicap. A deserving winner

The Bushman - awarded to Meek for his preference for playing off the fairway and amongst the trees. The unofficial count is 40 balls lost over the 2 days, another tournament record

Crooked Putter - awarded to Leo. His 31 points on Sunday is amazing considering he didn't hold enough putts. Clearly some room to move for Leo towards 2012

Furthest from the Pin - awarded to Doc. Self-nominated and presented, he wiped 5 of the first 8 holes without taking a putt

The Championship Round

That day has arrived and the field is set. The Homer tips are in and the calcutta has been run. Most heavily backed starter is Ngy, though he's backed himself despite hosting the poker room for 2 nights so it can't be taken too seriously. Billy, Kingy, Spud and Rod have attracted some attention with the rest of the field spread out.

Resplendent in his house cap, tomato shorts and the lime green jacket, Billy got proceedings underway and announced to the gallery he was on a mission to retain the title and win without the benefit of an illegal driver. Game on.

After 9 holes Billy held a slim lead with 19 stableford points, closely followed by Adam on 18 justifying the accuracy of his 40 handicap. They were just in front of Kingy, Eagle, Leo and Meek with the rest of the field scattered to the tail. This was looking like a close finish once again.

The back nine was tight with Leo, Doc, Adam, Meek, Eagle and Ichiro scoring 15 points or better, and Matt breaking out with 20 points, but the steady play of Billy was enough to record 17 points and take the title with 36 points overall.

Final scores, with handicap played off and played to in brackets:

2011 Champion - Billy - 36 points (12;12)

Adam - 34 points (40;42)

Matt - 33 points (45;48)

Eagle - 31 points (21;26)

Leo - 31 points (54;59)

Meek - 29 points (54;61)

Ichiro - 27 points (27;36)

Loui - 27 points (20;29)

Digger - 27 points (36;45)

Kingy - 26 points (12;22)

Doc - 22 points (24;38)

Spud - 17 points (27;46)

Ngy - 17 points (20;39)

Rod - 13 points (27;50)

John - 6 points (54;84)

Group Shot and Words of Wisdom from the 2010 Champ*

As is tradition, the field gathered for a group shot. Not the same without the big unit in the back row, but a handsome group of lads nonetheless

Prior to teeing off Billy passed on some thoughts and observations on his time as holder of the lime green jacket. Despite the controversy surrounding his 2010 win, he's been a model champion and has made it his mission to win again, sans asterix in 2011

It's a Marathon, not a Sprint

Digger demonstrated the benefit of an early night in preparation for day one on the course. After a few quiet ales and a round of poker the old dear was out like a light. Of course the early night did have some consolation with the Digger anchoring the winning ambrose team. Have to admit, he's a lot more bearable in this state.....

Not all pranks work

Spud channeled his inner Ashton Kutcher in an attempt to put Ngy off his game for the opening drive in the Ambrose comp. Unfortunately Ngy was not to be fooled and went on to record a reasonable score

2 Man Ambrose Champions

The Ambrose comp has been run and won, with a 3-man team taking the honours

With the withdrawal of Foca due to illness, the pairing of Loui, Leo and Digger put together a 45 point round to take the spoils. A strong finish on the back nine saw them fend off the challenge of Billy and Matt, who also scored 45 but were relegated by countback.

Final standings:

Loui, Leo and Digger - 45 points (CB)

Billy and Matt (45)

Ichiro and Spud (41)

Ngy and Rod (38)

Eagle and Adam (36)

Doc and Meek (36)

Duck and John (26)

Overall some positive feedback on the course and all looking forward to returning to fight for the green jacket on Sunday