The 4th running of The Oz Cup saw an extraordinary display of golf as record scores where set across the illustrious field.  The most impressive was Paul Towner's gross 79, a personal best round that netted him a massive 50 points and the 2005 Oz Cup in some style!

This was the largest field assembled so far and for the first time the event was hosted by Mapledurham Golf Club.  With the players assembled and bacon rolls distributed the honour of opening the day was left to Mapledurham member Michael Bennett.  Following behind the rest of the field was:

Michael Bennett (20 Handicap)

David Rolfe (16)

Ben Neo (22)

Paul Towner (24)

Steve Booth (10)

Malcolm Everest (22)

Lee Dixon (28)

Tony Gibbs (36)

Jim Thirlaway (10)

Mark Ayckbourn (24)

Marc Willis (36)

Paul MacBeth (36)

Marc Osborn (16)

Ben Butler (18)

Paul Harwood (28)

Graham Harwood (28)

Russ Simove (10)

Ian Harvey (24)

Andy Persaud (36)

Luke Howroyd (36)

It soon became clear that scoring was going to be pretty good as conditions were perfect, just a little wind, dry fairways and receptive greens and most importantly no rain!  Early news spreading through the groups was that Jim Thirlaway, Acky and Towner were setting a pretty hot pace.  Towner's outward nine of 38 earned him a massive 26 points and sent shockwaves through the groups behind.

In behind Towners 26 were a number of players around the 19/20 mark all positioning themselves for a back nine charge.  These included Malc Everest, Dave Rolfe, Ben Neo, Paul Harwood, and Acky just a little ahead with 21 points.

The battle for the wooden spoon was also a close affair with Macca, Dixon, Luke and Tony all still in single figures at the turn!

The easier back nine was now beckoning with the action hotting up.  Mr consistent Mark Ayckbourn added 22 points to his opening 21 to finish with 43 points from a round of 86 (net 62!).  Joining Acky on 43 was Paul Harwood who's round 90 (net 62) saw the pair share second place.  The biggest mover on the back nine was 2003's winner Ian Harvey.  A back nine top score of 26 points added to his front nine 14 just wasn't quite enough to finish infront of handicap dissenter and Mapledurham member Malc Everest who also enjoyed a productive back nine on his way to 42 points from a personal best round of 85 (net 63).

Amid all the action at the top of the leaderboard Ben Butler hit a mammoth 285 yard drive to secure the longest drive competition, with outsider Luke Howroyd his nearest challenger.  Russ Simove snatched the nearest the pin contest coming up the last in the final group with Budda and Rolfie still debating who came second!

Despite dropping his standards over the last few holes Towner held on to claim his first Oz Cup with an amazing round of net 55 for an Oz Cup record winning total of 50 points.  At the other end of the scale Tony Gibbs just piped Macca for wooden spoon with 11 points to 14 and took home a very fetching "I played like a tart" trophy! 

The final leaderboard finished:

Thanks to everyone who made it another great days golf.  Special mention to all those that screwed up the handicaps by playing they guts out and setting new personal bests.....don't worry the handicaps committee will have the last laugh!!!

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