Jim Brackett wins 15th Anniversary Jackalope Open

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Mark Gorda, in his never ending quest to generate funds for the tournament, had pledged to donate 1,000 baht for every birdie and 5,000 baht for every eagle scored on the day.  This year’s tournament recorded 13 birdies but 0 eagles.

During a break in the prize giving, Woody Underwood gave a brief account of the Jesters and Jackalope partnership outlining how we raised over 3,470,000 baht over the past 5 years and how we cover the 24/7 care-giving, physical therapy and anti-retroviral medication (ARV) for two children Tewid and Fey living with HIV and severe disabilities.

Div. 3 Winner Benny Hansen (left).Div. 3 Winner Benny Hansen (left).

Finally the much anticipated 50-50 draw prizes were picked with the winner, Gavin’s Group of Six receiving half of the record setting total of 312,500.00 baht collected on the day thanks to the aggressive ticket selling by Murray, Ty & Jason Kerr, Woody Underwood and others who sold in excess of 6,500 raffle tickets.  Gavin’s Group of Six generously donated a sizeable amount back into the charity.

Thanks go to all the staff at Burapha Golf Club & Resort for their excellent service provided on the day.  The organizers would also like to thank the following businesses and individuals who either donated their time and staff or helped to raise an outstanding amount in excess of 400,000 for the 2013 charity fund:– Ann & Dale Drader, Baltex Industries, Big Mango Properties, Bill Freeman, Bobby Taylor, Clayton Taylor, Jacob Taylor, Café Kronberg, Derek Reaper, Doug Thomas, Gavin’s Group of Six, Gordon Duncan, JD Texas, Jeff  Palladeau, Jesters M.C., Joe Ernst, Just Burgers, Ken Cooke, Kennedy Consulting Thailand Ltd., Kevin Worl, Little Britain Merchants, Malcolm Clair, Mark Gorda, Matt Millar, Michael O’Halloran, Mike Peeters, Moe Deverdenne, Neil Sandilands, Nova Group & Jameson’s The Irish Pub, Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Sports Club, Paul Ovens, Ray Lepard, Rich Man Poor Man Guest House, Rich Wibrow, Ryan Woods, Stacey O’Toole, Stephan Hoge, Tahitian Queen, The Beaver Bar, The Golf Club – Brad Sproxton, The Haven – Steven Beard, The Kerr Family (Jason, Mamo, Muffy & Ty), The Links – Russell Exley, Todd Sherbaniuk, Wayne Ogonoski.

Div. 1 Winner Tom Thompson (left).Div. 1 Winner Tom Thompson (left).

The Jackalope team would also like to thank all the individuals who helped out at the registration and scoring, Eddie’s staff for the sandwich snacks, the Caesar table “All Star Mixers”, the 50-50 ticket sellers, Just Burgers and all the cart drivers who kept the golfers well stocked with their favorite “refreshments”.

Special thanks also go to the staff of Rich Man Poor Man who on their own raised in excess of 78,000.00 baht over the past year at the guest house and an additional 34,000.00 baht on the day of the tournament, to Just Burgers and Rich Man Poor Man for the par 3 hole competitions, and to Mamo Kerr for providing all the players with her tasty Jackalope Cookies.

Div. 2 Winner Peter Marsh (left).Div. 2 Winner Peter Marsh (left).

The Jackalope is not just about golf, it is also about giving back to the local community.  On this 15th year of The Canadian Jackalope Open we will again be joining with the Jesters Care For Kids to help provide much needed assistance to the poor or disadvantaged children in the area.

Low Gross Ty Kerr (left).Low Gross Ty Kerr (left).

After a week of rain in the Pattaya area, Friday August 2nd started with cloudy skies as 126 golfers made their way to the Burapha Golf Club & Resort for the 15th Anniversary Jackalope Open.

Registration opened at 10:00 and after checking in, collecting their anniversary shirt and goodie bags, most of the players headed for their favorite spots – the Caesar table for the Canadian breakfast speciality, the 50-50 ticket sellers for the much wanted raffle tickets and a new addition this year – the Jackalope Cookie table provided by Mamo Kerr with the proceeds being added to the charity fund.

By 11:30 everyone headed out to the golf course ready for the shotgun start, much anticipation hung in the air as individuals prepared their minds towards a good round; of course some of the golfers were thinking when they would see the first “refreshment” cart.

At 12:00 the shotgun was fired and the golfers were off to face a true test of golf on the slightly damp fairways.  The field moved around C & D courses and with no rain, cool temperatures and not too many hold ups encountered, the first groups arrived back at the club house in less than five hours.  The golfers were treated to a splendid buffet provided by the Burapha staff while they waited for their scorecard to be checked and tabulated by John Emmerson and his team.

Mark Gorda – wearing his now world famous Jackalope Jacket and Canadian tie – kicked off with the technical prizes first which were won by the following:  Near pins winners on C5 – Tai Kanchana, Mike Chitwood, George Richman, Matt Millar, Dave Campbell & John Cunningham; Near pins winners on C8 – Beng Durant, George Richman, Larry Deverdenne, Captain Damrong & Thomas Rechsteiner; Near pins winners on D2 – Nual Russell, Kim Fletcher, Rich Wibrow & Mike Dabanovich; and Near pins winners on D8 – Mike Lovell, Bob Skelton, Dale Drader, Stephan Hoge & Murray Kerr.

Long drives winners were Noi – D4, George Konopik – D4, Andy Evans – D4, Robert Fogelman – C3, Ronnie Ramsay – D6 and Ty Kerr – C1.  The Nearest the Keg winner on D7 was Dale Drader.

First place in the Ladies division was won by Noi with a whopping 47 points to finish 13 clear of Nual Russell in second on 34.  In the Rabbits division the winner was Mike Chitwood ahead of runner-up Brian Reed and in the new revised Seniors division first place went to Robert Skelton.  With a fair amount of players showing interest in this division, it may remain in future tournaments.

Division 3 honours went to Benny Hansen with 36 points who edged Dan Dorothy and Matt Earnshaw into second and third spots respectively, both finishing on 35 point totals.

The second division saw Peter Marsh at the top of the podium on 34 points with Seamus (34pts) in second and Keith Bowles (33pts) taking third.

In the top division Tom Thompson recorded a level par 36-point round to finish ahead of the pack on count back over Helmut Hebstreit while John Stanton completed the podium on 34.

The best low gross score of the day was the 79 posted by Ty Kerr.

Finally to the overall champion this year and with 37 points on his scorecard the title this year went to our 2013 winner Jim Brackett.  Well done Jim!

Seniors Winner Robert Skelton (left) with Mark Gorda.Seniors Winner Robert Skelton (left) with Mark Gorda.

Rabbits Winner Mike Chitwood (left).Rabbits Winner Mike Chitwood (left).

Ladies champion Noi (left) receives a Long Drive award from Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood.Ladies champion Noi (left) receives a Long Drive award from Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood.

Burapha Golf Club provided a beautiful yet testing challenge to all the golfers.Burapha Golf Club provided a beautiful yet testing challenge to all the golfers.

The player–caddy partnership is all important in the game of golf.The player–caddy partnership is all important in the game of golf.

This quartet came suitably attired for a Canadian led tournament.This quartet came suitably attired for a Canadian led tournament.

A team of smiles waits for the shotgun start.A team of smiles waits for the shotgun start.

Mark Gorda (right) presents the Jackalope Open trophy to 2013 champion Jim Brackett.