1998 - Steve Maidment

For those that had experienced it last year this day was a long time coming. But it finally did come and Cup number two promised plenty. Missing from last year was Barry Formosa, much to the tournament directors chagrin as word had spread of his golfing talents and a cult following had grown in the months following 97’s cup and as such large galleries were expected – his withdrawal proved costly.

Also gone was Ian Poole who had caught the last train to Clarkesville, Tennessee to try and get his US tour ticket. Whilst he qualified with his golf scores he was knocked back because of the gutteral cry that rang out when an errant shot was played. I’m sure he’ll be back.

New to the cup field in 98’ was Richard ‘5-iron’ Placek who could not resist the temptation of swinging a club this year and thus threw away the video camera; Justin Placek, a young raw redneck who had missed last year with a shoulder injury – yeah right I’ve heard that one before from the Placeks; and Steve Maidment, a third non-blood relative invitee who was an unknown quantity and who the handicapper must have owed money to as his handicap was what you might call “generous”.

Again the first tee on Saturday was abuzz with hopes, dreams and illusions. As the 11 starters got on their way there was an eerie feeling in the air – at the time I didn’t know what it was but it felt like something was going to be taken away from the family. Round one turned out to be a tough, low scoring day with Steve “the debutante” Maidment putting together a solid 31 points to lead Muffy McGovern by single point, with a further 4 points to Nick Fitz who looked to be a big improver. At the lower end JB and JP went looking for a stiff drink at the golf club as they drowned sorrows over a measly 16 points each.

Sunday dawned and with it came a drama charged final round. It was basically a two man shootout for the entire 18 holes as the “M & M’s”, Maidment and McGovern , staged a cut and thrust battle all day long. No man gave an inch, both had a steely determination.

Ironically though, I believe the turning point came on the 6th hole and it had nothing to do with a golf shot. You see, as the group was looking for a lost ball off the fairway the cart being driven by Muff and Nick starting to roll down an incline and was heading for the bush. Credit for the fast acting Muff who chased the cart into the tree and somehow retrieved what looked like a nasty, if not very embarrassing situation.

You would think that possibly the frivolity was over, but no. As Nick drove the cart away down a steep, dewey, slippery slope at ever increasing speed he put his foot on the brake and sent the cart into a 360 degrees spin and in doing so taking 10 years off Muff’s life. I believe Muff never fully recovered from these events that day – he became agitated and flustered and lost his way. Speculation is still rife that a conversation between Steve and Nick on the 5th green and the exchange of $20 could well have been sinister – Steve maintains till this day that it was money well spent!

Steve went on to score a tough, well-earned 5-point win and became the 1998 champ. Muff recovered to run second and Richard Placek rounded out the trifecta on debut.

Hard to believe it could happen but in 1998 the “Off The Stick” winner also won the “Wooden Spoon” and that dubious honour went to “Slicer” Fitzgerald. Apparently he was pretty upset about it and showed plenty of restraint in not challenging the handicapper on the wisdom of having some players on handicaps over 50!! Can you believe that, ‘Slicer” still laments the record books showing that he had 49 and 74 shots less than the 1st and 3rd placegetters respectively yet finished some 17 points from the winner…hmmmm. The only real solace he can take is that the handicapper, since that fateful day, has changed the handicap methodology.

All in all though 1998 was another smashing success – with revenue, crowds and sponsorship all on the rise. Well done Steve, winning on debut and as an ‘Outsider” was a great effort and one that can always be looked back on with immense pride.

As related to Tim Fitzgerald by Steve Maidment