Jerry Bowman Classic

The Jerry Bowman Classic is an annual invitational golf tournament, held in Auckland, New Zealand. Over its history it has been held at both the Waitemata and Takapuna golf clubs. It is a unique tournament for the fact that invitations are not extended to golfers with sub-30 handicap, or golfers who have played more than 5 rounds in the previous calendar year. It is known within Auckland as a true local derby, with the inaugural team captains, Alex Kingston and Matt Hartles, regarded as two of the most mature and influential sporting minds of the 21st century. Through strong leadership, and raw sporting talent, these two have revolutionised the mental game of amateur sport and created an event that both inspires and intrigues the golfing youth of today.

Contrary to popular belief, the Jerry Bowman Classic is not named after fringe NASCAR driver Jerry Bowman. The Classic takes its name from mercurial Auckland University lecturer Jerry Bowman who taught both team captains.

Tournament History

2009

The inaugural tournament was a tense affair. The Hartles team was James Leeson, Christian Gundry, and Nick Hawkins against the Kingston team of Richard Coupe, Ashe Seatter, and Andrew Boys. Held at the Waitemata Golf Club over 9 holes, the Hartles team emerged victorious.

Alex Kingston has recently been quoted as saying, "Pairing teammate Ashe Seater in my grouping adversely affected his performance. His mental fortitude cannot standup to the pressures of playing with me. This is why we lost."

2010

The second tournament, also held at Waitemata Golf Club, was highly anticipated amongst the North Shore community due to the popularity of the 2009 tournament. Captain Hartles selected an unchanged team except for James Pivac being called in to replace James Leeson. Kingston showed faith in his losing 2009 team, selecting the same players. The Hartles team was victorious for the second year in a row, partially due to a dubious Matt Hartles chip-in from the rough on the final hole.

2011

The first tournament to be held over a full 18 holes was also the first tournament at the new Takapuna Golf Club. Both teams featured new players, some of whom were a subject of controversy. The Kingston team brought in Ryan Bridgman for Richard Coupe who had taken up a lucrative Wellington contract with the New Zealand Stock Exchange. The Hartles team recalled 2009 hero James Leeson, as well as bringing in new players Pat Seeley and Sam Lawrie. The tournament was won on the 18th hole by the Kingston team by one stroke. Mention must be made of new player Sam Lawrie who shot 20 over the crucial 9th and 18th holes where all shots count.

Controversy

The Classic has not been without its share of controversial selections and rule changes. In 2010 Kingston team member Ashe Seatter was under suspicion of using narcotics throughout the day, grossly affecting his performance. Also, in 2011, there was some doubt over the handicap of new Hartles team member Pat Seeley. Rival captain Alex Kingston accused Hartles of bringing in a player that was too strong a golfer, thus going against one of the fundamental rules of The Classic, as well as being disloyal to his previous years' players. Ironically, the Hartles team lost the tournament in 2011 for the first time.

Finally Nick Hawkins, a Bowman Veteran from 2009 and 2010 who is currently residing in Perth, Western Australia, claimed that the 2010 tournament should not have proceeded without himself and Christian Gundry competing in it. He pushed for postponement or a change of name. Neither captain was willing to cave to this transtasman pressure and the 2011 tournament went ahead.