2010 - John Barrett

My first win!

Having retired the previous year there was considerable pressure to mount a challenge but as you all know “I hated the thought of winning that jacket”. Not only did I think it was over the top but it was designed only for people of considerable more body bilk than me, you know people like Dave Gray, Tim Fitz or dare I say it Murray, haha, he would hate that. But that is enough of that what about the golf?

So retired and having purchased a new set of Big Bertha golf clubs I had been playing reasonably well prior to the event. My confidence was in the mid range but with the thought that I had been overnight leader or plying in more final groups than anyone had previously, I was basically assured that I wouldn’t get the wooden spoon as Neil or a Formosa had long-term rites over that. But little did I know that the opposition that year would be so poor, partly due to Friday card night, then the Saturday drinker before, during and after the game, more cards then the stiffer competition heading to the Marlin.

Having amassed a good score on the Friday I was already favourite. The tee shot on the first on Saturday was straight down the middle to the jeers from the crowd, “that’s your best shot for the day” echoed from one bystander. Up yours was my reply.

It wasn’t long before I had actually completed a good front nine, expecting to crash on the way in nothing seemed to change, drives driven and putts going in. Not even a beer at the half way did anything. So once again I was overnight leader and in the last group.

More beers and much banter that night I arrived at the course in 70:30 condition in the negative, was I going to throw it away again?? Looking at the opposition the short answer was “ If I can’t beat this load of golfers there must be something wrong”, some had come basically straight to the course from the Marlin, Justo fell asleep in the cart waiting to tee off, Dan was chirpy (imagine that😂), the Sharaz boys, Fitz, Muffy and Bazza all had eyes like the underside of an octopus, but there was one who looked a real danger, yes Brookesy was there early, shirt tucked in and a real air about him.

Once again the golf appeared easy, the pie at the half way was cold but good and it wasn’t long before it was over, posting the highest winning points and second for margin to Dans win.

As suspected the presentation was short as I think all were embarrassed at their lacklustre performance and yes the jacket fitted me like a potato bag over a fence post.

Jacket appearances over the following 12 months:

. Christian day

. Daughter Kelly’s wedding

. Black Goat Cup