CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Match 3 - Boo Boo Weekley def. Soldier Montgomerie at the 19th.

SEMI-FINALS

Match 1 - Boo Boo Weekley def. Tubby Waldorf 3 & 2 and Match 2 - Soldier Montgomerie def. Karrie White 4 & 2.

QUALIFYING ROUND

12 starters teed up in the Don Lane Invitational (DLI) and the 4 players through to Heckle Friday's seeded match play rounds are Boo Boo Weekley (76 nett), Soldier Montgomerie (78), Karrie White (78) and Tubby Waldorf (78).

Missing the cut were Dick Faldo (79 nett), Grantief Goosen (79), Bourkie Baird (80), Seve Hemosteros (84), Davidson Love (85), Java Haas (85), Bluey Dunk (86) and Trent Strange (99).

ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP

The tournament is a handicap match play event spanning 2 consecutive weekends (Sundays 10 and 17 November) and, with the possible exception of the semi-finals on the Friday before the final, competitors must 1. walk the course and comply with the Tournament Competition Committee's (TCC) nominated playing schedule.

All members are welcome to play socially in the tournament's opening day, The Don Lane Invitational (a stroke event this year), even if they are unable to participate in the match play rounds.

1. A medical exemption to play in a cart is available for eligible members

THE VENUE

The Royal & Ancient Marrickville Old Course will host the Match Play Championship for the 36th consecutive year.  This internationally renowned public course, featuring the toughest and most picturesque holes on the Cooks Peninsula, provides competitors with the ultimate golfing challenge.

PRIZEMONEY

Outside of any Don Lane Invitational purse, Match Play prizemoney will be based on playing numbers - $700 (450/250 split) for up to 20 starters and $850 (550/300) for 21 or more.

STRONG FIELD LIKELY

The TCC will formally issue invitations in August to eligible players for the popular home event.

The defending champion, *Dick Faldo, headlines the expected international field of *Kipper Parnevik, Seve Hemosteros, Garry Mize, *Java Haas, *Grantief Goosen, Boo Boo Weekley, *Peard Fulke, *Bourkie Baird, *Muzzy Zoeller, Berman DeChambeau, Karrie White, *Davidson Love, *Edwardo Romero, Thongchai JD, *Bluey Dunk, *Ford Funk, *Soldier Montgomerie, Hunter Meehan, Danny White Shark, *Tubby Waldorf, *Notah Kelly III, Lewis Oosthuizen and Ralphy McIlroy competing for the prestigious Stephen Angry Anderson Trophy (*past champion).

ACCESS TO THE COURSE

To avoid the large crowds entering the course from Magnolia Drive (pictured - formerly Wharf Road), players and their entourages have been allocated reserved car spaces in Beaman Park.  From there, it's just 2 minute walk across the magnificent Tubby Cotter bridge to the R&A locker rooms.

The following public transport arrangements have been put in place for each Sunday of the tournament:

• From the North - Buses (route 3A) will depart Brookvale at 10.00am and stop at Cremorne, Hunters Hill and Drummoyne and then direct to the R&A,
• From the South - Expect lengthy delays if coming from The Shire (est. travel time 4-5 hrs) and players should set off by sunrise.  Train to Sydenham, change for Marrickville and then bus (423) or walk to the course,
• From the East - The ESG&EC actively discourages the participation of the trendy Eastern Suburbs set,
• From the West/Inner West - The Sir Cliff Richard Summer Holiday bus (route 4B) will depart from Old Toongabbie at 10.30am and travel to the R&A via Enfield and Croydon,
• Earlwood Locals - Pre-book to use the park and ride facility from Coles from where express buses (route 1A) leave every 15 minutes from 10.15am until 12.30pm, and
• Sydney Ferries operate a single jet cat service to the R&A from Circular Quay.  The Lady Fatcat departs Wharf 3 at 9.50am via Sydney Heads and Botany Bay and arrives at the Man O' Golf steps adjacent to the first tee, at 11.30am.  At low tide, the service terminates at Tempe's Golden Gate Bridge leaving passengers a leisurely 20 minute stroll to the course along the rejuvenated Cooks River foreshores.

DRINKS CART

Our fully laden vintage drinks cart (pictured) will be dispensing free refreshments, including Edmund Resch's finest, throughout the tournament for players and spectators alike although the first Sunday may present a problem with no driver holding the club's mandatory Irresponsible Service of Alcohol certificate currently available.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

On the biggest stage in world sport, the players have delivered some of the club's most unforgettable moments.  In 1990 Tubby Waldorf and the late Big Jack Daley brought the large and boisterous gallery to it's knees when they witnessed both players card seven over par 11s to halve the 17th hole.  As Big Jack always pointed out, he was playing 5 off the tee and, knowing the calibre of his opponent, correctly assumed he was still a chance.

Dick Faldo was chasing his first major in 1997 when he stepped onto the 11th tee, one up over the late Vijay Field.  His scudded 6-iron sent the ball careering into the ladies tee marker 10 metres ahead.  The marker - 4 inches tall, bright red, cylindrical and made of concrete - correctly applied Newton's Third Law (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction).  On it's return journey, the ball neatly parted the assembled spectator mass standing behind Dick before it landed out of bounds in the Cooks River.  Both ball and Dick's title challenge sank simultaneously.