TCP Cup IV was held at the Cobram Barroga Golf course on the weekend of 28/2 to 2/3/2003.

Cobram - Barooga 2003

The Rock led throughout to spreadeagle the field in the battle for the 2003 TCP Cup at Cobram Barooga. Playing with a square stance and a re-shaped swing, he shot rounds of 67, 71 and 72 to win easily by four strokes from TCW. He got the jitters half way through the final round but finished par, birdie, par after being level with TCW when he walked off the 15th green. His playing partners Newman, The Pontiff and Jesse James could not apply any pressure all cracking 100 points.

The fast finishing TCW shot a closing round nett 68 after two rounds of 73 but was unable to overhaul The Rock who was 7 shots clear of the field when he walked on to the first tee. Some eyebrows were raised after the last round regarding TCWs handicap which appeared a bit high, but who could doubt the integrity off The Pontiff.   Shirley got third and played fantastic considering he had not belted a ball in anger for over 5 weeks. His 81 on the Sunday was a great round. Next came Newman and Les who both played consistently after opening round 71s.

Monty looking resplendent in the NAGA jacket.	The 2002 winner The Bandit hands the TCP trophy to the 2003 champion.

Other notable rounds where ad by Crocodile with a 70 in Round 1, a 71 by Zidance in Round 1, 67 from The Pontiff in Round 2, a pair of 68s by TCW and Buddha in Round 3 and 70 from Shirley in Round 3.

The battle for the NAGA was more keenly contested than the battle at the top of the leader board. On the Saturday night there were plenty of nervous punters crowded around the laptop checking their standing. Seven blokes had six strokes between them for the right to wear the coveted yellow and orange jacket. Hairy Mary and Gaffa each had a sleeve in the jacket sitting on 170. The Bandit and The Kid had 167, Garth and Jars were on 166 and Snake Baker was on 164.

Earlier that day Monty wore the famous jacket with distinction and although he did not play well he stayed well clear of NAGA territory. The pressure brought out the best in most of the NAGA contenders with The Bandit, Gaffa, Garth and Hairy Mary shooting their best rounds for the weekend to avoid the NAGA award. The Bandit and Garth's performances were even more meritorious as they hit the ink hard on the Saturday night and got little sleep. Snake Baker was fortunate not to play on the Sunday as he was right into the ink on the Saturday night and did not get in until after 4.00am after taking the wrong courtesy bus to Strathmerton. You idiot!

In the end the battle for NAGA was fought between The Kid and Jars; but experience won out and Jars took out the NAGA by two shots.

Jars wears the NAGA jacket with pride as previous holders of the jacket Monty and Buddha look on.	The Pontiff configures another router with the help of the boyz. Is that Jack Nicholson opposite him?

Malcolm X had the lowest score off the stick with 253 from Shirley and The Bandit on 255. Great effort by Max considering he played up badly on the Saturday night and finished with a nett 87 on the last day. Shirley shot a last round 81 and The Bandit had an 80.

The average scores reflect the golfing talent that was on show at Cobram. Average gross score per round was 101, nett 77. Average handicap was 23.

Off the field good times were had playing snooker on the Saturday night followed by a midnight walk to to the SportsBar kennel. In the drinking stakes Buddha and Jesse were up there as expected with good solid performances from Garth, Jars, The Pontiff, Les, Crocodile, The Bandit, Max and Snake.

Buddha won the drinking gold medal on the Friday night after getting to a state where his mouth was moving but he could not talk. Not far behind was Jesse James who can only be described as a drinking machine. Garth was solid after parading in front of the boyz with his speedos and going for a dip in the pool.

On the Saturday night Snake Baker took out the gold medal after catching the wrong guest bus and finished up at Strathmerton. In the silver medal position was The Bandit for his organism story. The bronze medal went to Malcolm X for being a gentleman and a scholar.

As usual TCW drank the most diet cokes and a few other prominent drinkers were conspicuous by their absence.

Les, Newman and Crocodile where disappointed about their rounds on the Saturday and went berserk trashing their room. As you can see the totally demolished the place.

The Rock has been moved down to 16 handicap following his consistent play over three days. In next year's TCP Cup he will carry a further 3 point penalty for winning the previous year ringing him down to 13. The penalty decreases by one  for the corresponding two years so he will be off his standard penalty in 2007. The Bandit will carry a 2 stroke penalty next year.

Thought long and hard about TCWs re-handicap and felt that 24 was a good number for him. But seeing he is still my boss and I have a review due in April I will give him 25.

The location for next year's tournament is not yet decided. Favourites at this point are Augusta, Yarrawonga and St Andrews. Next year the tournament will once again be 54 holes, but will be contested over three days with 18 on the Friday being included in the overall championship.

Congratulation to The People's Champion who is our champion for 2003.