William Buckley Classic
William Buckley Classic
Teams of two battle for Bushranger-style glory
Grab a mate and battle it out like a pair of Southern Victorian Bushrangers.
One of our long-treasured Open events, the William Buckley Classic is part of our Bushranger Golf series, and features loads of fun, camaraderie, adventure, glory, trophies & prizes, played in spectacular locations like the Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula and other quality spots!
Upcoming William Buckley Classic:
Event details coming soon.
Recent William Buckley Classic results
Mount Defiance Alliance capture 2024 William Buckley Classic
The Indented Heads nab 2023 William Buckley Classic
Nailbiting playoff decides 2022 WBC Champs
Exciting 3-team playoff decides 2021 WBC Champs
About The William Buckley Classic
Here's everything you need to know about this 36-hole, weekend golfing adventure:
The William Buckley Classic Format
- The William Buckley Classic is a 36-hole siege for teams of two playing two-ball ambrose.
- Each team will be assigned a handicap by the organisers on the basis of official Australian handicaps and information supplied by the Bushrangers. The handicapper will be governed by a commitment to rewarding good play according to a player’s ability.
Rules:
- Each member hits their shot, then chooses the best of the two, and continues play from there. Teams play their chosen best ball on each shot and may place their ball half a club length (about 50cms) from where the chosen ball lay, no nearer the hole. Balls must be placed in the same cut as the chosen ball. In the interests of fast play from tee to green, teams are NOT required to mark with a tee and precisely measure from the chosen ball as they play each shot. Once on the green, Bushrangers should mark near the chosen best ball so both team members play from near enough to the exact same position.
- The event features a Rodeo Rule, which requires a minimum number of drives for each team member. Each team’s rodeo requirements will appear on their scorecard.
- Nearest-the-Pin & Longest Drive: will be held as some usual tasty ‘side action’ between teams.
Playoffs:
- In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will be conducted. Teams play together as a twosome (taking alternate strokes playing one ball). Teams can determine the order as each member takes their first shot. This order is then continuous and carries over from one hole to the next until the playoff is decided.
The Rogues Gallery
The Criminal Record
Year | Team | Day One | Day Two | Total | Score | Margin |
2024 | Michael Holt & Simon Alston | 44 points | 44 points | 88 points | - 16 | 1 shot |
2023 | Andrew Murray & Brett Murray | 46 points | 40 points | 86 points | - 14 | 1 shot |
2022 | Michael O'Sullivan & Rob Fuleky | 41 points | 39 points | 80 points | - 8 | 2-team playoff |
2021 | Kirk Hayward & Travis Graham | 39 points | 43 points | 82 points | - 10 | 3-team playoff |
2020 | Ian Steer & Geoffrey Steer | 44 points | 37 points | 81 points | - 9 | 1 shot |
2019 | Joe Amenta & Jason Pratt | 41 points | 36 points | 77 points | - 5 | 1 shot |
2018 | Andrew Grant & Yvonne Grant | 43 points | 38 points | 81 points | - 9 | 4 shots |
2017 | Paul Benson & John Coleman | 45 points | 41 points | 86 points | - 14 | 4 shots |
2016 | Richard Fellner & Michael Van Raay | 39 points | 39 points | 78 points | - 6 | 4 shots |
2015 | Adam McCaw & Steven Humphries | 43 points | 35 points | 78 points | - 6 | 2 shots |
2014 | Nick Mouhtaropoulos & Paul Himarios | 43 points | 42 points | 85 points | - 13 | 2 shots |
2013 | Neil Hocking & Gavan Doran | 38 points | 36 points | 78 points | - 2 | 1 shot |
2012 | David Warwick & Matthew Pitt | 42 points | 35 points | 77 points | - 5 | 2 shots |
2011 | David Warwick & Phil Peacock | 44 points | 41 points | 85 points | - 13 | 4 shots |
2010 | Matthew Thomas & Rob Lugton | 47 points | 33 points | 80 points | - 8 | 1 shot |
2009 | Michael Mileo & Michael Van Raay | 38 points | 41 points | 79 points | - 7 | 1 shot |
2008 | Michael David & Roger Brown | 41 points | 42 points | 83 points | - 11 | 1 shot |
2007 | Michael David & Roger Brown | 40 points | 38 points | 78 points | - 6 | 1 shot |
2006 | Michael Mileo & Michael Van Raay | 41 points | 40 points | 81 points | - 9 | 6 shots |
History of the William Buckley Classic
The William Buckley Classic was the first weekend social golf event run by SGA (under our Bushranger Golf Brand) open to all golfers to enter. It was an opportunity for mates to get away and have a lash on some great golf courses, playing in a team competition for some fun prizes and a host of bragging rights. The first event was held on the Mornington Peninsula, far from the spiritual home of Bushranger Golf along the Murray. Thus the WBC began a great new tradition for bushranging in the deep south.
Over the years, the event has alternated between the glorious golfing regions of the Mornington Peninsula (Home of Moonah Links, St Andrews Beach, The Dunes and countless others) and the Bellarine Peninsula (Home of 13th Beach, Barwon Heads GC, and others). It continues to be a highly-anticipated event on the SGA Calendar.