After a week of rain in the Pattaya area, Friday August 2^nd started with cloudy skies as 126 golfers made their way to the Burapha Golf & Resort for the 15^th 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, a true test of golf on the slightly damp fairways. The field moved around C & D courses. 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 (see photo for this year) kicked off with the technical prizes.

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

Near pins winners on D8 – Mike Lovell, Bob Skelton, Dale Drader, Stephan Hoge & Murray Kerr 

There were no near pin winners on holes C8 – Rabbits, D2 – Ladies, D2 – Seniors and D8 – Ladies divisions. 

Long drives winners were Noi – D4, George Konopik – D4, Andy Evans – D4, Robert Fogelman – C3, Ronnie Ramsay – D6  Ty Kerr – C1. 

Nearest the Keg winner on D7 – Dale Drader 

The Ladies division runner up was Nual Russell with 34 points. First place in the Ladies division was won by Ning with 47 points. 

In the Rabbits division runner up was Brian Reed and winning the Rabbits division was Mike Chitwood. Some unbelievable points scored in the Rabbits division again this year. 

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 third place was won by Matt Earnshaw with 35 points, second place was won by Dan Dorothy with 35 points and first place went to Benny Hansen with 36 points.   

Division 2 third place was won by Keith Bowles with 33, second place went to Seamus with 34 points and first place went to Peter Marsh with 34 points. 

Division 1 third place went to John Stanton with 34 points, second place went to Helmut Hebstreit with 36 points and first place went to Tom Thompson with 36 points. 

Low gross of 79 for the day was won by Ty Kerr. 

The 2013 15^th Anniversay Canadian Jackalope Champion is Jim Brackett with 37 points. 

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 and 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. 

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 & Resort for their excellent service provided on the day. We 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. 

We 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. 

Just Burgers and Rich Man Poor Man for the par 3 hole competitions. 

Mamo Kerr for providing all the players with her tasty Jackalope Cookies. 

The Jackalope is not just about golf, it is also about giving back to the local community. On this 15^th 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.

TEXT BY "Wayne Ogonoski".

From all of us here at The Camillian Social Center Rayong we send Great Thanks too The Jackalope & Jesters organization for there continued support of our Children over many, many years.

Great Thanks also to all the payers and all who have taken a part, without you nothing is possible.