The Inaugural Year

Mark Collars The Cup

It was a beautiful morn that dawned on that last Saturday in September 1997. It was also the first time that the Mollymook Cup was up for grabs – a piece of silverware that in time became more revered than “The Ashes” urn or the “Most Improved Forward” for Collegians Under 10’s. For this was not just about a bunch of wannabes hitting the golf ball around a damn hard golf course over 36 holes but more a celebration of family and friends, accountants and school teachers, fibros and leather patchers and the old and the young. This was living!!

It was a small but talented and select group that were announced on that first tee at 12.37pm, Mollymook Hilltop. The nerves were there for all to see. Whilst everyone denied it – they lied. No man with blood running through his veins could help but get caught up in the hype.

There was the tournament host – Baldy Fitzgerald. His chest stuck out a mile, his dream had become reality and he knew he was on the verge of something that over the years would snowball into somewhat of a south coast carnival. He didn’t care if he won or not, still doesn’t (lucky as till this day he is without a title) as he knows he will be a richer man just for the experience.

There along side him was his eldest – Nick or ‘motor mouth’ as he was affectionately known at the time. Add to that his little hairy brother ‘Little Timmy Fitz’ the low marker (ah those were the days), his in-laws JB and Dan Barrett, Big Bad Bazza Formosa and Ian Henry Poole. There was the lone nephew in the field Mark Placek who was feigning collarbone trouble. Lastly there were the friends component – two colourful characters in Muzza Reid and Muffy McGovern who were blessed with an entry into the field. What a line-up, what a day, what a tradition…………………..

Well year one, round one of the cup was special. The first tee was pandemonium – there was divots flying, balls going in all directions, into garden beds, trees, carts. Sledging – you would have thought that this was a two day sledging academy as no-one was spared. It was great and it still goes on today.

But with the first hole behind them, the nerves settled and players soon slipped into their groove…………….well some of the players did. Whilst there was a congested early leader board it was really the back nine on Saturday where the first cup was one. Whilst Barry Formosa was the first and only player ever to be “put on the clock” on the 11th hole as he cut a swathe through the long grass in the ditch in front of the tee – all caught on official Cup footage by Dick Placek, Mark Placek was blazing a round that he will never forget – and nor will the handicapper!

With a collarbone still recovering from a fracture only weeks earlier Mark was in doubt right up until Cup eve but came through a brief hit-out on the Friday unscathed and decided to play – and why wouldn’t he as he was given the all clear to wear a controversial support garment and given the sweetener handicap of 25.

I heard a noise of someone chuckling in their sleep the night before - I now know who it was. He shot 94 and had 40 stableford points which set up a sizeable lead and one that just may be too big to catch.

At the other end of the field Bazza had had what can only be described as an eventful day and stories have been told how the engraver actually had his name on the wooden spoon on the Saturday evening.

Day 2 arrived and Mark Placek held an 8 shot lead over tournament host Baldy Fitz with a further 4 points to younger brother “Slicer” Fitzgerald. The mood in the last group was competitive but polite and as the round got to the middle stages old ‘Baldy” was making a real charge and got within a couple of points of the leader. But alas his run ended and in fact Mark powered home to win the ‘Cup’ by a huge 10 points. He shot 99 on Sunday for a two round total of 74 points and a well deserved, if not curious victory.

Dan Barrett was runner up on a countback over ‘Baldy’ Fitz. The first wooden spoon winner, incredibly was Barry Formosa and not a prouder trophy acceptee have I ever seen. He not only won the spoon but also the “Turkey” award, given to the player who produces either one or possibly many memorable, funny, strange, idiotic or crazy acts on the weekend (and not necessarily on the golf course). I think Barry had it won by the Friday evening.

So the first cup had been run and won, by a busted up teenager no less! To the victor go the spoils – congratulations Mark Placek you are the first winner of what was then, and is still now a truly great event. For the rest of us there is only 363 sleeps left!!

As told by the Mollymook Cup Historian