User:Joshuaba79/The Acklom Invitational Ambrose Golf Competition

The Acklom Invitational is an Ambrose Golf Tournament established in March 2005 (Golf). 16 participants participated in the inaugural competition at Yarra Bend Golf Course (Melbourne, Australia), on March 6th, 2005, coinciding with the organizer’s (Joshua Brook Acklom’s) 26th birthday. The “invitation only” event allows participants to bring along one playing partner, and teams to be formed to create an even playing field based on handicaps.

TROPHY
The Acklom Invitational Trophy was designed and created by model and artist Ross Palmer (AKA Beau Dentro), and creator of 'Fascin Ation' magazine. The trophy was created at the Victorian College of the Arts, incorporating the club head of Acklom's first set of clubs purchased in 1995.

2005
Yarra Bend Golf Course. The first competition was plagued with controversy, as injury and late withdraws meant an 11th hour rush to find replacements. Eventually two replacement golfers were located and helped ensure a full field of 16 competitors (four teams of four). Unfortunately this left the competition somewhat uneven, and the group of Joshua Acklom, Kieran McCrohen, Shaun McLachlan and Timothy Scarrott would hand in a scorecard of five under par and record a comfortable victory.

2006
In March 2006, the competition moved to Sandringham Golf Course, located on the sandbelt in Melbourne, Australia. The Sandbelt is home to some of the best golf courses available in the world. With the controversy of the inaugural season still hanging over the competition, a reduced field of 9, three teams of three, competed and tried to lift the reputation of the event. As the three teams made their way down the 18th, the first team turned in a score of 1 under, requiring the second team to score a birdie on the 18th to force a play off. When Kieran McCrohen’s putt lipped out, they were left one shot behind. The third and final team, including the organizer Joshua Acklom, required a chip in birdie to force a play off; it wasn’t to be. The team of Simon Prior, Andrew Stefaniak and Timothy Scarrott held aloft the trophy. Scarrott becoming the first player to win the Acklom Invitational twice, with back-to-back victories.

The close finish helped secure the competition’s future for another year.

In post-match discussions, it was revealed that Kieren’s McCrohen’s playing partner Travis, had illegally moved a tee shot from the final group on the 12th hole (Acklom’s tee shot), placing it behind tree. The result was a bogey for the final group, and considering the final scores left Acklom’s team one shot behind, controversy had once again struck the Acklom Invitational as golf etiquette was ignored.

It was decided that the scores would stand, as cards had been signed and approved. However, Travis has since been banned from the competition indefinitely, and Keiren McCrohen while escaping suspension, was given a sever reprimand for his role in allowing his playing partner to illegally move an opponent’s golf ball.

2007
With the competition seemingly headed in the right direction, 2007 brought back an increased field to 12, four teams of four. The competition in its third year, was played at the short, but challenging Malvern Valley Course (Melbourne, Australia). As thunderstorms threatened a cancellation in the morning, the horizon cleared as tee time approached. Once again the organizers faired well in the creation of teams, as one shot covered the field on the final hole. With all teams recording pars, the grouping of Jon Snorrason and Bryn, teamed with Andrew Morgan and Dean, took out the title.

2008
The reputation of the Acklom Invitational had continued to grow, and in 2008, the largest line-up of 16 turned up at the new venue of Brighton Golf Course (Melbourne, Australia). In contrast to 2007, a 36 Degree Celsius Melbourne day greeted the 16 participants. A stunning opening few holes from the group of Kieren McCrohen and Wes, teamed with Rahmin Dekretser and Matt, ensured an uphill battle from the other three teams. Despite Shaun McLachan’s exquisite putting display, no team could real them in,and Kieren McCrohen would join Timothy Scarrott becoming a two-time winner.

2009
To mark the competition’s 5th season, and host Joshua Acklom’s 30th birthday, not only did the competition find a new venue, but a new sport! 42 participants enjoyed foursome’s lawn bowls at Glen Eira / McKinnon Bowls Club, Melbourne, Australia. Again, late illness and withdraws sparked controversy as one team was left with only two competitors. The pairing of David Whitaker and Robert Watts strolled through the preliminary rounds in Pool A to qualify for the finals. To try and create an even playing field for the finals, organizers had no option but to select two players to join this pairing, ensuring teams were evenly matched with equal participants for the semi-finals and finals. Despite Daniel Bermingham’s brilliant display as skipper in the final, it was not enough to stop the team of David Whitaker, Robert Watts, Sarah Howren and Vicki Gayner taking out the title.

2010
Now in its 6th season in 2010, the Acklom Invitation is booked in for a return to golf and Sandringham Golf Course on March 8th. Currently there are 17 confirmed entries, an Acklom Invitation record.