Ichiro and Doc show the way home
It was a tough day - the big fella struggled with the sticks and managed to get some shut-eye on the drive home
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Round at Magenta Shores
With Ichiro spending the weekend at Magenta Shores making wedding plans, the lads decided a day exploring the course as a potential pre-wedding destination was in order. The course was tough, though to be honest, only Spud, nursing a bad back, actually played with any distinction. Final result was a win to Spud and Doc over Ichiro and Foca by 3 points.
Ichiro and Doc show the way home
It was a tough day - the big fella struggled with the sticks and managed to get some shut-eye on the drive home
Ichiro and Doc show the way home
It was a tough day - the big fella struggled with the sticks and managed to get some shut-eye on the drive home
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Championship Day
Blue skies and a mild day greeted the players with an early call. After breakfast, the tribe headed out to The Vintage for the day that truly mattered.
After getting early instructions and updated handicaps, the 3 groups headed off into unfamiliar and dangerous territory. This would be a true test of golf and endurance for all of the players.
After 9 holes the course was wreaking havoc with most players scoring between 10 and 15 points. It seemed a score of 30 could be enough.
As the teams rolled through the back nine, the signs of attrition were obvious - more wiped holes and single points thinning the players in contention. This was also the point where the true chances put their case forward.
After 13 holes the leaders were Peter (25 points), Ichiro (23 points) and Foca (23 points). The late finishing Billy had also added 9 points on the first 4 holes of the back nine and was a long chance for a come-from-behind victory.
For Ichiro and Foca, with the title on the line, the wheels started to fall off. From holes 14 to 18 they scored 6 points each. The wildcard, Billy, came home with 9 points (and a tragic wipe on the 18th that cost him at least a share of second place). Out in front, Peter carded 8 points over the final 5 holes to retain his lead and the title.
Your 2007 Champion, Peter "The Eagle" Greig, receiving the spoils from event organisers, Foca and Doc.
After getting early instructions and updated handicaps, the 3 groups headed off into unfamiliar and dangerous territory. This would be a true test of golf and endurance for all of the players.
After 9 holes the course was wreaking havoc with most players scoring between 10 and 15 points. It seemed a score of 30 could be enough.
As the teams rolled through the back nine, the signs of attrition were obvious - more wiped holes and single points thinning the players in contention. This was also the point where the true chances put their case forward.
After 13 holes the leaders were Peter (25 points), Ichiro (23 points) and Foca (23 points). The late finishing Billy had also added 9 points on the first 4 holes of the back nine and was a long chance for a come-from-behind victory.
For Ichiro and Foca, with the title on the line, the wheels started to fall off. From holes 14 to 18 they scored 6 points each. The wildcard, Billy, came home with 9 points (and a tragic wipe on the 18th that cost him at least a share of second place). Out in front, Peter carded 8 points over the final 5 holes to retain his lead and the title.
Your 2007 Champion, Peter "The Eagle" Greig, receiving the spoils from event organisers, Foca and Doc.
The final placings:
- 2007 Champion - Peter Greig - can he win a 4th title despite starting with a negative handicap???
- 2nd Place (tied) - Ichiro and Foca - big weekend for these two - unfortunately their golfing success can't mask the fact that Ichiro continues to fail to land Foca the movie parts that we all know he is capable of - why isn't he pitching the big fella for Gladiator 2??
- 3rd Place - Billy - highest placed rookie and early favourite for 2008
- 4th Place - Matt - our suggestion is play more than 4 rounds a year Matt
- 5th Place - Doc - don't you love the whole "it wouldn't look right if I won my own tournament" angle
- 6th Place (tied) - Leo and Digger - for Leo, some indications of hope; for Digger, none
- 7th Place - Ningy - the bookies favourite was friendless by the end of the day
- 8th Place - John - his only trip to a course each year is the FocDoc - perhaps the tactics will change for 2008
- 9th Place - Scott - set a championship record with 10 wipes on day 2 and may have talked himself into a lifetime ban from the tournament after drunken confrontations with the event organisers on Saturday night. The St. George factor doesn't help his chances.
On behalf of the organisers, thank you all for coming along and making the event memorable. Mark your calenders for the 4th Invitational in April 2008.
Foca and Doc
After Hours Action
No surprises that once the sun went down the attention turned to drinking and poker for the boys. With reputations on the line, generous handicaps to maintain and a pot of pesos on offer, the lure of an 8 seat poker table was too much to resist.
The facts surrounding the first night's action have blurred into history, but thankfully no arrests were made and property damage was minimal.
Thankfully, I remembered the camera on night 2 for some memorable shots.
As the night wore on, the pot got richer as early losers bought their way back in. You have to admire the man for his commitment, with The Eagle dropping out twice and then ponying up a double cash penalty to buy in for a third time.
Eventually, the seats emptied with Spud, Doc, Billy and Digger advancing to the Final Four. At the time, Doc was chips leader, just ahead of Billy, with Digger and Spud just holding on. Before too long, Spud joined the casualty list and Doc's lead was cut and then smashed on the back of the longest consecutive drought of playable hands in poker history (editor's note: this is an official lie - Doc was playing like a scared bunny, hoping to win by grinding the others out).
Finally there were two. The cagey Digger and the aggressive Billy. It all came to a final all-in from Billy that Digger graciously accepted. When the cards were turned, it was clear that Digger was in front, holding Q,10 suited against a pair of 5's.
Poker is a funny game:
The facts surrounding the first night's action have blurred into history, but thankfully no arrests were made and property damage was minimal.
Thankfully, I remembered the camera on night 2 for some memorable shots.
As the night wore on, the pot got richer as early losers bought their way back in. You have to admire the man for his commitment, with The Eagle dropping out twice and then ponying up a double cash penalty to buy in for a third time.
Eventually, the seats emptied with Spud, Doc, Billy and Digger advancing to the Final Four. At the time, Doc was chips leader, just ahead of Billy, with Digger and Spud just holding on. Before too long, Spud joined the casualty list and Doc's lead was cut and then smashed on the back of the longest consecutive drought of playable hands in poker history (editor's note: this is an official lie - Doc was playing like a scared bunny, hoping to win by grinding the others out).
Finally there were two. The cagey Digger and the aggressive Billy. It all came to a final all-in from Billy that Digger graciously accepted. When the cards were turned, it was clear that Digger was in front, holding Q,10 suited against a pair of 5's.
Poker is a funny game:
- The Flop - K,9,7 unsuited - Digger needs a J for a straight and looks confident; Billy just lost the power of speech
- The Turn - 5 - Billy hits the lead and begins to breathe once again; Digger just wants to grab the cash so he can go to bed
- The River - 5 - Billy wins with 4 of a kind!!!!
After an emotionally draining night, the players displayed their reaction to the outcome:
FocDoc 2007 - Day One
The teams shook out the cobwebs from the previous nights activities with an 8am breakfast call and stroll around downtown Cessnock. It was clear that many were in town to write some history.
This years lineup posed for the starter to set the day in motion.
A 10:30am tee time and a first drive over the water at Hunter Valley GCC greeted the lads, quickly seeing some ashen faces as a few of the starters realised they may need to get a few more balls from the pro shop.
This years lineup posed for the starter to set the day in motion.
As dictated by tradition, the defending champion Peter "the Eagle" Greig led off.
After a gruelling test of golf, the HVGCC produced a mixed bag of results for the 2 -man Ambrose competition. In reverse order:
- Doc and Kelso & Ningy and Matt - tied 25 points
- Spud and Leo - 30 points
- Billy and John - 33 points
- Pete and Digger - 38 points
- 2007 Champions - Foca and Ichiro - 40 points
Monday, March 12, 2007
Foursome Attempt to Tame Riverside
Spud, Stu, Ichiro and Doc spent the day at Riverside in a final tune-up before the FocDoc to shake out the cobwebs and find some rhythm. Whilst the chief handicapper had a spy onsite, he has all but written off the chances for Spud, Stu and Doc. The bolter was Ichiro, who displayed an improved game, managing to stay out of trouble and knock in a few clutch putts. Video evidence is available for your enjoyment:
Monday, March 5, 2007
Final Place Confirmed
We have the 12th and final place confirmed with the addition of Billy Cutler to the FocDoc roster.
Billy is a man of the world, who was born in Zambia and was allegedly educated in the UK before heading for the sunny climes of Oz. Whilst sheepish about his golfing pedigree, it is clear that he is one to keep an eye on, as evidenced by a recent picture taken by the chief handicapper on a recent visit to Thailand for the Johnnie Walker Classic
Billy is a man of the world, who was born in Zambia and was allegedly educated in the UK before heading for the sunny climes of Oz. Whilst sheepish about his golfing pedigree, it is clear that he is one to keep an eye on, as evidenced by a recent picture taken by the chief handicapper on a recent visit to Thailand for the Johnnie Walker Classic
Welcome aboard Billy. I'm sure The Eagle is pleased to know that the poker pot just got a little bigger
Test Your Golf Knowledge
The Eagle has passed on this quiz to assist in keeping your mind sharp in preparation for the FocDoc. Both The Eagle and Doc have managed a score of 5 under - let us know if you can do better:
http://www.cincinnati.com/golf/golfquiz/html/brand.htm
http://www.cincinnati.com/golf/golfquiz/html/brand.htm
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Current Odds - 10:30am - 1st March 2007
Note: the following are based on preliminary handicaps and do not take into the account the various pleas for adjustments based on recent form, injuries and lack of play in the preceeding 12 months and are subject to change at the absolute discretion of the chief handicapper.
5/2 - Peter
4/1 - Ngy
6/1 - Foca
7/1 - Digger, Ichiro, Kelso, Player to be named later
10/1 - John, Spud
14/1 - Matt, Leo
25/1 - Doc
5/2 - Peter
4/1 - Ngy
6/1 - Foca
7/1 - Digger, Ichiro, Kelso, Player to be named later
10/1 - John, Spud
14/1 - Matt, Leo
25/1 - Doc
FocDoc Handicapper Spotted at Driving Range
Having heard the rumours that Ngy was hitting the driving range, I sent out the chief handicapper to take a look and determine whether the bookies were right in having Michael on the second line of favouritism for the FocDoc.
Early indications showed the bookies (as always) were spot on, with Ngy smashing drives down the middle, with many smacking the 250 metre post and leaving significant dents. Moving up and down the clubs, Ngy showed a mix of power and deft touch that will come in handy on the tricky courses that lay ahead.
Early indications showed the bookies (as always) were spot on, with Ngy smashing drives down the middle, with many smacking the 250 metre post and leaving significant dents. Moving up and down the clubs, Ngy showed a mix of power and deft touch that will come in handy on the tricky courses that lay ahead.
Artists impression of Ngy's new-look drive
Unfortunately the handicapper chose this moment to develop a nasty cough and blow his cover. Ngy, realising he was under surveilance, started to show an array of slices and hooks to attempt to cool the buzz. Even resorting to having Ngy Junior out drive him with a rusted 5 iron.
Sadly for Ngy, and despite his expected protestations that the above is a complete fabrication (just wait and see) he has clearly firmed in the eyes of the handicapper. Could he be the man to wrest the lime green jacket from The Eagle???
Monday, February 26, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
A message from the returning (2-time) champ
Following is an unedited transcript from defending champion Peter Greig's RSVP to the tournament:
"I have convinced myself that it would be more profitable to defer my overseas employment so I could defend my title. Considering the appearance money , the probability of an easy win at the golf and the quality of or lack thereof of the ahrs poker competition , it is a given that even that although singapore is lucrative your funds will amount to more. Therefore sign me up
Peter (the eagle) Greig
I am now commencing intense training in all disciplines that will be reuired during the weekend, BEWARE"
"I have convinced myself that it would be more profitable to defer my overseas employment so I could defend my title. Considering the appearance money , the probability of an easy win at the golf and the quality of or lack thereof of the ahrs poker competition , it is a given that even that although singapore is lucrative your funds will amount to more. Therefore sign me up
Peter (the eagle) Greig
I am now commencing intense training in all disciplines that will be reuired during the weekend, BEWARE"
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