The Adelaide Bratish Open

PARACOMBE, SA, Australia

As the medios argued in the car about the unseen course being in the hills, not being hin the hills, further than St Agnes, Closer than St Agnes, our worst fears were realised as the road continued up, up, up into the foggy hills North East of Adelaide.  

While directions were being shouted loud and fast (all different of course), we eventually made it to the Highercombe Golf Club, the venue of the first Adelaide Bratish Open.  Hopes were high, all wanting to take home the Jugs.

Barely out of the carpark, a medio noticed that staff were working with a blue carpet.  After the query as to the location of the red carpet, the staff member zinged back with a "we knew you blokes were coming so we put it away".

Realising that his attire was inadequate for a cold as hell day in the hills, Mat spent far too much money on Pro-shop clothes to survive, and we all headed off to the first tee.
 

To say that there are hills on this course is an understatement.  Coupled with the thick mud and frequent puddles, this made it a tough slog.  Mat's usual technique of smacking the crap out of the ball and having it roll all the way to the hole wasn't going to work (as if it ever worked any other day).

First highlight of the day was Matty's chip on to the second green that he'd all but given up on, until looking back after cheers from the other medios, as it bounced from off the green and rolled back, curving, on and on and on until finally dropping in the hole for the chapter's first Meagle.

Second time visitor to the Adelaide MGA, Strauchan just hit away nicely to cut the front nine with Matty on 59.  Shame not being a member meant he's not eligible to win.  Brad came in second on 66, and Mat as usual coming last on a pitiful 77 for the front nine.

Into the back nine, the fa"tree"gue was beginning to show on Matty, and as his scores dropped off, the niggling from other medios increased, almost putting him to breaking point.  Mat's score improved dramatically to record a -15 meltdown, however this said more about his front nine than his back.  Brad improved by a stroke, while Matty dropped a stroke, giving him the Jugs on a total of 119, beaten only by Strauchan (ineligible) on 114.  Join up already, and you could have taken home a trophy.

Recommendations for the future, bring a packed lunch when venturing this far away from home, and any time the course is in the hills, don't be a hero, take a cart.