2019 MATCH PREVIEWS
SATURDAY @ GARY PLAYER
Howell/Pearson vs White/Orr
Our first pairing features 4 veterans with more than 40 career appearances between them. Howell swings the steadiest stick in the bunch, but sources say his captain is concerned about just how sharp his game can be in light of his jet-setting lifestyle that hasn’t left much time for golf of late. Pearson has proven to be a clutch putter throughout his career in the scramble format, but he will need to steady his ball-striking to carry his weight in this match and earn a point for the Duffers. For the Bluffers, White and Orr reunite for the first time since 2017, when they gagged away the winning point in the last match on the course on Sunday. Both players can be effective and erratic, so the key will be whether they can ham and egg their way to winning enough holes. Win, lose or draw this duo is sure to be in top stuntman form Saturday afternoon at the pool.
LINE: Pickem
Frazier/LaTour vs M. Sailhamer/L. Sailhamer
When Jac LaTour qualified for this year’s event after missing 2018 due to a medical exemption, his captain didn’t have to put much thought into who his Saturday partner would be. LaTour and Frazier clicked well in their 2017 Saturday victory, and they will once again be asked to hang a day one point on the blue side of the board. LaTour will ride his abbreviated swing to a slow and steady approach, while Frazier brings a more aggressive approach that yields feast or famine results. History will be made by their opponents, as young Luke Sailhamer makes his debut in a tournament that has been around longer than he’s been alive. The kid can find a groove in all facets of the game, but the challenge will be putting it all together on the big stage. If and when his nephew falters, Bluffer captain Mike Sailhamer will offer a steadying hand, and perhaps just the right words of advice, one would expect from a wise uncle thats seen his share of drama on these hallowed links.
LINE: Duffers -.5
Moller/Miller vs Ollivier/Mann
Matt Ollivier is one of the steadiest soldiers in Chubby Fowler’s Army, but he is coming off of an ankle surgery that will limit his lethal ball-striking and ask him to be in top form from inside of 125 yards, which is about the maximum distance from which he can make a comfortable full swing at this stage of his recovery. Mann, the 2018 MVP who owns the highest career winning percentage in tournament history, could end up being the perfect partner for the gimpy Ollivier if his bombs find more grass than stucco. Meanwhile, Dan Moller is back for his sophomore campaign and will pair with fellow SOSA member Mark Miller, who quieted his critics last year by going 2-0. Uncle Dan finds the center of the club face at a highly effective rate, unless that club is a lob wedge or putter. If Miller can dial in his short game to complement his partner, then this first time Duffer pairing has a chance to do something special.
Line: OTB
Solaas/Schuh vs Cervera/Rosenthal
There were whispers on tour that Ken Schuh had retired to run an AirBnB on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, but Schuh surprised the golf world by surviving midwest region qualifying and earning a spot on team Duffer for the first time since 2016. Schuh will pair with veteran Steve Solaas for the first time, and will surely have to endure endless stories about his partner’s recent conquests of St. Andrews, Carnoustie and the like. Speaking of conquests, Eddy Cervera has fond memories of his victory over Solaas on Sunday last year in a match that many felt was the deciding factor in team Bluffer hoisting the cup. Cervera reportedly asked for Solaas again, and his captain obliged. Teaming with Cervera for the first time is Bluffer legend Brandon Rosenthal, who can be the ultimate wildcard in the scramble format. Will the veteran southpawl have the power fade, buttery cut, or wipe-slice working off the tee? Truth be told, all 3 will probably be deployed but Rosenthal’s tee balls may ultimately decide which side delivers a point in this match.
Line: Duffers -1
S. McBee/Schultz vs Burns/Brookman
It’s no accident that Burns, a Bluffer rookie, drew 13-year veteran Dave Brookman as his day 1 partner. After all, nobody has earned more career points than the Bluffer stalwart from Westchester. Both players have a reputation for being easy going dudes with a fiery competitive streak below the surface, so their captain expects fist bumps on the first tee to turn into chest bumps by the 18th green. Meanwhile, their Duffer opponents are both veterans who, due to spotty attendance, haven’t appeared in the same tournament since the Bush administration. Captain Duffer is hoping these country clubbers from Phoenix and Denver, respectively, will channel their rage towards their opponents, and not each other.
Line: Duffers -1
Olson/Hobbs vs C. McBee/Duffy
West LA residents Josh Olson and Brett Hobbs bring a 3-0 career record to this showdown with the hot-shot rookie and his crusty veteran partner. Olson made headlines with his first career ace on September 5th, and he’s ready to ride that wave to yet another victory in his 4th tournament appearance. His trusty sidekick can do some damage of his own, even if he is known more for his biting wit and signature golf shorts that could be mistaken for boxers. Standing in their way is Phoenix prodigy Caleb McBee, who sports the lowest index in the entire field despite barely being old enough to drive. McBee has a reputation for taking his golf very seriously, so his captain has asked Jimmie Duffy (back for the 7th straight year), to act as sherpa for the talented but inexperienced phenom. Duffy is sure to bring the right mix of levity and intensity to the proceedings, which should free up his partner to let his talent do the talking.
LINE: Bluffers -.5
Plahy/Foster vs Johansing/Cawdrey
The Bluffer pairing is a first-time partnership, but Cawdrey comes in to this year’s tournament having won 5 of his last 6 matches so captain Bluffer feels comfortable pairing him with just about anybody on his roster. Johansing is 2-2 in his brief career with the Bluffers, but many players make “the leap” in year 3 so his team is expecting big things this time around from the self-glossed “3rd Sailhamer brother”. Plahy and Foster have formed a strong bond off the golf course in recent years, but it didn’t translate to success on the course last year when they took a loss on day 1 last year. Despite the setback, Captain Duffer knows this duo has potential and is expecting better results the second time around. More water and less booze might be in order for Plahy and Foster to be in game shape come Saturday morning.
Line: Duffers -1
Kalma/Vanderzee vs Thuman/Pierro
Those that follow D&B history closely may remember rookie Bryan Vanderzee as a highly recruited prospect from the early part of the decade. After declining multiple invitations, Vanderzee found himself on the outside looking in and was living a quiet and regretful existence. When an invite came out of the blue at the last minute this year, Vanderzee didn’t hesitate, agreeing to a contract within minutes. He will partner with fellow Dutch mafioso Kyle Kalma, who is making his 9th straight appearance and sports a 9-6-1 career record to go along with his 2014 MVP award. Their opponents boast plenty of experience of their own, as both Thuman and Pierro are making their 7th starts for the Bluffers. Pierro is one of the more improved players in the field in recent years, and if he can keep his fair skinned mate hydrated and lathered in sunscreen then experience could give them the edge if this match is close in the closing holes.
LINE: Bluffers -1
J. Sailhamer/Pieper vs Girod/Regan
Matt Pieper has been a mainstay in the bottom of the lineup for team Duffer since 2009, yet his own captain has never tabbed him as a partner. Until now. If Pieper can put as much effort into his game as he does his Fickie Rowler wardrobe, then these 2 volleyball dads should find enough chemistry to make their games compliment each other. Sailhamer has been through the depths of a re-grip that sent his index soaring like a hot tech stock earlier this season, but is said to be rounding into form of late. Bluffer Legend Phil Girod will be asked to chaperone another rookie in Sean Regan. Regan qualified through limited appearances on the SOSA tour, but his game remains a bit of a mystery to most experts. The Johansing-invite from the San Gabriel Valley will have to prove his worth to the orange side, or he may become a seat-filler footnote in D&B lore.
LINE: Bluffers -1
SUNDAY @ PETE DYE
Solaas/Plahy vs C. McBee/Regan
Duffers win if:
Plahy isn’t forced to chip too often
Both players have their usually reliable drivers and putters working
Bluffer’s win if:
Regan has the physical stamina for 3 days of desert golf in a row at his first D&B tourney.
Young McBee isn’t mentally fried on day 3 of big boy golf.
Hidden storylines:
Neither duo has much familiarity with each other, but at least the Duffer squad won’t be meeting for the first time this weekend
Regan is worried his salty vocabulary might be too intense for his young partner, but he’s never met said partner’s father.
HANDICAP - Duffers get 1
Olson/Kalma vs M. Sailhamer/Cawdrey
Duffers win if:
They can win one or two holes out of the 4 where their opponents are popping.
Kalma can find consistency in ball striking to match his clutch putting and his partner’s steady all-around game.
Bluffers win if:
Cawdrey elevates his game and carries Sailhamer like he did in day 1 of 2018.
Sailhamer can tame his shiny new driver and keep his chronic knee pain from flaring up.
Hidden Storylines:
Olson/Kalma are members of the same club but have never played in the same group.
Sailhamer/Cawdrey take pride in upsetting Duffer teams that are favored on paper.
HANDICAP: Bluffers get 2 a side
McBee/J. Sailhamer vs Thuman/Johansing
Duffers win if:
McBee and Sailhamer can ham and egg it with long drives from the lefty and sharp wedge play from the captain.
Sailhamer’s wipey fade doesn’t put McBee in too many tough spots on the approach shot.
Bluffers win if:
They win 3 of the 5 holes they are popping on.
Thuman isn’t asked to make too many knee knockers.
Johansing can keep pace with McBee off the tee.
Hidden Storylines:
The Duffer duo were college roommates and have played a lot of golf together but have never paired up in 2 man competition. Will 2 Alpha personalities clash or mesh?
Both Bluffers are capable of 80 or 90+. Will the Pinehurst format expose their inconsistency more than scramble would have?
HANDICAP: Bluffers get 5
Frazier/Foster vs Cervera/Burns
Duffers win if:
Frazier and Foster’s comfortable pairing results in comfortable swings and tap-in pars.
Team Tit'o’s limits intake of their sponsor’s product to moderate levels Saturday night.
Bluffers win if:
Cervera and Burns find their games to be simpatico, discovering not only are they great golf partners but that they might be twins separated at birth.
Burns hits bombs and gives Cervera consistent looks at birdie from 20’ and in.
Hidden Storylines:
Team Tito’s isn’t actually sponsored by Titos Vodka, but they’d like you to think they are.
Cervera and his childhood buddy Joe Skovron defeated Rickie Fowler and Brendan Steele in Pinehurst format in the 1994 Temecula City Junior Championship.
Burns, the head golf coach at Loara High in Anaheim, doesn’t take any crap. Things could get interesting if Team Titos gets lippy.
HANDICAP: STRAIGHT UP
Hobbs/Schultz vs Brookman/Rosenthal
Duffers win if:
Team Piss & Vinegar can channel their angst towards their opponents and not each other.
They can push the right gamesmanship buttons of their familiar opponents.
Bluffers win if:
Rosenthal can come up clutch on his 40th birthday.
Brookman can find the magic with his putter in Pinehurst when he won’t have the safety net of a partner putting behind him like he would in a scramble.
Hidden Storylines:
Nobody is sure who is piss and who is vinegar, but don’t you dare ask either one of them.
Brookman and Rosenthal first teamed up in the 1985 Rolling Hills Elementary school 1st grade co-ed team handball tournament, where they finished 3rd
No other day 2 match features 4 players with more familiarity, and thus potential for heated outbursts.
HANDICAP: Bluffers get 1
Moller/Pieper vs White/Mann
Duffers win if:
Moller’s brutal honesty and dry humor doesn’t offend his high handicap partner.
Pieper can get his tee ball in position to allow Moller to go at flags.
Bluffers win if:
Mann can consistently put White with approach shots of 100 yards or less from the fairway.
White isn’t hobbled with sunburned feet after Friday and Saturday rounds.
Hidden Storylines:
Moller’s 12.6 handicap index is a career low and this will mark the first round he’s been the low handicap golfer in a foursome in his life.
Woke millennials on Twitter have been openly rooting against the White/Mann pairing ever since teams were announced, but Captain Bluffer has refused to capitulate to the cyber mob and adjust his pairings.
HANDICAP: Bluffers get 1
Schuh/LaTour vs Ollivier/L. Sailhamer
Duffers win if:
They can find a way to make enough old man pars from off the green.
Ollivier is so hobbled on day 2 that he can barely make a swing.
Bluffers win if:
Ollivier wakes up at 4am for lower extremity Pilates, a Swedish ankle massage and Bible study.
Young Luke has enough in the tank as he attempts 3 rounds in 3 days for the first time in his life.
Hidden Storylines:
Ollivier’s ankle injury is a major wildcard in this match. The 8 handicap player applied for a medical exemption and the committee adjusted him to a 12, figuring he’s an 8 from 150 and in and a 16 everywhere else. This is un-chartered territory for the D&B tournament.
Duffer team sources are concerned with how Schuh will feel on day 3 in the desert. He’s used to Wisconsin winters where the temperature is 130 degrees lower than what he will experience this weekend.
HANDICAP: Duffers get 5
Howell/Vanderzee vs Girod/Orr
Duffers win if:
Howell can make it 18 holes without taking a call from his most annoying client.
Vanderzee can polish his rusty game and give his partner some green lights at the flag in the Pinehurst format.
Bluffers win if:
Girod isn’t faced with too many do or die 3 footers.
Orr focuses more on making birdies than catching bass in the water hazards or lizards in the native waste areas.
Hidden Storylines:
Howell, who once made Girod cry by calling him a reject in 1991, has done battle with his former bullying victim at D&B since 2005.
Orr and Vanderzee attend the same church, but have never met.
HANDICAP: Straight up
Miller/Pearson vs Pierro/Duffy
Duffers win if:
They can overcome their disadvantage in ball striking by chipping and putting their asses off.
Pearson gets tired of losing to his wife’s uncle and hearing about it at Thanksgiving.
Bluffers win if:
Duffy catches fire like he did during his 2016 MVP campaign and Pierro continues his ascent as one of the most improved players in the field.
Hidden Storylines:
Duffy is known as the slowest player on tour, and Team Duffer is already strategizing how to keep his slow pace from affecting their own games.
Pierro and Miller belong to the same golf club, but are said to have a simmering beef over who ate more than their share of allotted wings in the 19th hole 6 years ago.
Handicap: Duffers get 3