an interview with our inaugural champion

CW, winning the inaugural SOS Cup is a great honour, where does this rank for you in your list of achievements?

Simply the best. The joy of being the first to hoist the cup on that faithful day on Rottnest Island will be with me until the day I die.

I want to take the readers back to that final round at Rottnest, you have a three shot lead going into the last hole at Rottnest Country Club, a 140m par 3 with a two tiered green. Firstly, what was going through your head when you stepped up on to the tee? and what transpired from there?

I knew I was amongst the leader board coming into the final round. I had a few nerves on the boat ride on the way over…nothing a 500ml red bull, and a few Panadol and some Kwells couldn’t fix. The nerves began to build again on the 18th when I could see the ~20 SOS brethren huddled around the 18th green, waiting for the final group to approach:

I do have to correct you fearless leader, I believe the 18th at Rotto is little further, say, 160m. My memory is pretty hazy but I think this is how it played out:

1st shot: hydrid, topped it about 120 into the bush pretty much up against a tree and a quokka. VERY DEAD.

2nd shot: restricted swing, 4 iron, topped it about 2m, pretty dead still.

3rd shot: 7 iron, clean out and onto the bottom tier of the green about 30ft from the hole.

4th shot: First putt, left it about 10ft short as usual. Soft.

5th shot: second putt, into the guts of the hole!!! GLORY! Or maybe I had 3 putts (most likely), I can’t recall. Fact of the matter though was I was now the inaugural champ and over the moon. Commiserations to J Busby for a great fight.

What a finish it was CW, congratulations! Now the SOS Cup has gone from strength to strength over the years, let the readers know what you think about the evolution of the SOS Cup, and what the future holds for it?

SoS is an ever-evolving beast. It started out with about 15-20 degenerates and has grown both in size and degeneration (think our newest member, punting addict and ornithology weirdo/legend, JA). Going forward I expect SoS to go from strength to strength.

Dave – you are doing a fantastic job at running this organisation, I thank you for the time and effort you put into SoS.

Wise words indeed. The SOS Cup has a few new young guns and some wiser heads included this year. Do you think SOS Cup experience is pivotal in being able to win, or do you think the more you play with the Sultans, the worse your golf gets?

I’d go with the latter, given there is usually a lot of gas and even more yapping involved, its pretty hard to stay focussed with so many peanuts involved.

CW you were controversially issued a please explain letter in 2018 for your lack of appearance. Let the readers know what you felt upon opening the post, and if you hope to remedy your lack of appearance going forward into the 2019 campaign?

Look my lack of appearances isn’t something I’m proud of but getting out for 18 holes with 2 young kids is nigh on impossible at the moment. I’m hoping as they grow older and require me a little less I’ll be out there more often in coming years. One thing that we all need to remember though is that SoS is a marathon not a sprint. It isn’t going anywhere. As my fellow great Austrian Arnold Schwarzenegger says “I’ll be back”. Also, you need to respect your past champions so if there is any more letter baloney – you will get socked. Especially you Spock – don’t tempt me.

Just some word association if you wouldn’t mind CW. Tell us what goes through your mind when you hear the following.

Inaugural SOS Champ

Proudest moment

M Busby with a sub 18 handicap

In Evander Holyfield’s voice from the great AFL ad  - “yeah, I’d like to see that” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2TO35rZjO4

The Peach Pit

As Belinda Carlisle said “Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? 
Ooh, heaven is a place on earth”

T Laird V J Divitini in a boxing match.

Been brewing for years. When’s it happening?

CW, you will forever be known as the SOS Cup inaugural CHAMP. Thank you very much for your time, we hope to see you as often as possible out on the course. God speed.

SULTANS OF SWING GET A LOGO

It may have taken her half the year, but David's wife finally found a few moments to create an identity for the Sultans of Swing. The new identity references the Sultan Cup Trophy. 

Final round 2016

The final round takes place November 12th at Rottnest Island. Tee-off at 9 / 9.30am depending on the first ferry, with wind-up at 2pm at the Pub.