MARK Jackson and Bruce Rankmore teed their way to the salver in one of the closest ever Armidale Jugs on Sunday.
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The Armidale good mates were one of three pairings to finish on plus 8.
Guyra father and son Donald and Dominic Hill, and Armidale’s Craig Harris and Nick Love also scored plus eight, forcing it to a countback to split the three.
Initially that still couldn’t separate them with all three carding +5 for the last nine.
It then went back to the last six. Harris and Love were counted out but there was still no winner, with Jackson and Rankmore, and the Hills, both having +3.
The last three holes was where the victors clinched it, scoring +2 to square.
It’s the first time Jackson and Rankmore have won the prestigious tournament but not from lack of trying.
“Bruce and I have played together for 15 years,” Jackson said.
“We’ve finished in the top 10 twice but this is the first time we’ve ever really got close.”
He said they had an idea it was close.
“When we finished we knew there was one other group that had tied with us,” Jackson said.
“We were the clubhouse leader on a countback.”
“We were sweating all day to see if we hung on.”
They were one of the earlier groups out on the course, which did help them.
“To be honest, we got the best of the conditions,” Jackson said.
“In the afternoon the wind came up and there were a few little showers.”
They were also “lucky” to have a good back nine.
“We were lucky enough to play our best golf,” he said.
“We only mucked up one hole.”
They were among over 252 starters for what is the club’s biggest competition of the year.