PINEAPPLE CUP THWARTS WOULD-BE BANDITS, MYSTIQUE GROWS!

Charlotte, NC (The Charlotte Observer) – October 31, 2009 –

In the early morning hours of Halloween, several would-be bandits broke into a home which currently houses The Pineapple Cup in an effort to steal the prestigious trophy that dates back to 2007. Current champion Andrew Tucker and golf fans everywhere certainly count themselves lucky that the trophy did not join the likes of the Scottish Open trophy (the oldest trophy in existence at the time it was lost), the original Havermeyer trophy and the Prince of Wales trophy – all either lost or destroyed. It is unclear what kept the would-be bandits from making off with The Pineapple Cup. Police believe the bandits could have been temporarily blinded by the shiny solid gold etching. Another possibility the police will not rule out is that the would-be bandits became entranced by the sparkling crystal and lost track of time. Even yet another possibility is the would-be bandits thought there was a pressure-activated alarm on which The Pineapple Cup sat. Regardless of the reason, The Pineapple Cup was not taken and is no worse for the wear.

The would-be bandits did make off with some electronic equipment, a few dirty magazines and a bottle of charcoal-filtered Papov vodka.

Corey Pavin - Greatest of All Time?

Jeff Rude opines about the 2010 Ryder Cup captain: Based on from where he has had to play his tee ball, he’s the best player in golf history. Pavin ranks 201st in distance this year, averaging 260.7 yards. He averaged around 252 off the tee year after year until new millennium technology boosted him to a high of 268.9 in 2003. If he’s not the best of all time after the drive, who is? Paul Runyan? Tiger Woods?

2009 Pictures

Andrew Tucker Reigns Supreme at 2009 Pineapple Cup!

North Myrtle Beach, SC (The Sporting News) – Andrew Tucker finally has his hands on the coveted Pineapple Cup. He never lost a match en route to capturing his first Pineapple Cup victory. His impressive play over three days was highlighted by a three under par 67 (net) at Pine Lakes C.C. In the overall matches, Tucker’s play helped Captain Buck’s squad to a victory over Team Yates.

An elated Tucker made an elaborate and enthusiastic acceptance speech: “First off, I would like to thank THE COMMITEE and especially Commissioner Carrington for putting on such a well run tournament. It is honestly one of the highlights of my year and it could not happen without you. Next, I would like to thank Bob and Nancy Wilson for providing such amazing accommodations and truly making the Pineapple Cup affordable and possible. Finally, I would like to thank Morgan’s wife for providing a never ending supply of jello shots and delicious good times.

On December 31, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. I sat down with a pad and paper and made a list of things I wanted to accomplish in the forthcoming year. By noon of the following day when the alcohol began to wear off, I realized that it would not be possible to make out with Megan Fox, get a cameo appearance on Family Guy, or use the crane to defeat Chuck Norris in a battle to the death, so I began marking things off of my list. After I was finished with the truly unrealistic goals for my 2009, only one item remained: Win the Pineapple Cup. What most do not realize, is that since that day I have not slept more than four hours in one night. I started to train my body for what I knew would be the greatest physical and mental challenge of my life. Training my body for the rigors that a champion must endure to claim such a prize. I would pound beers before and during work in order to teach myself how to perform day to day tasks while completely intoxicated. When fellow employees would see me funneling bourbon at my desk and question 'What are you doing?' I would simply point to the Pineapple Cup countdown clock and they would walk away in understanding. I would refuse to eat fruits and vegetables, because I knew that Myrtle Beach has a ban on such items and I didn’t want to be exposed to such foreign substances. People think I love Doritos, it's not true. I hate Doritos, I've just been forcing myself to build up a tolerance as I know they are one of the only items availble to eat in Myrtle. I would only go to restaurants where I was served by a 23 year old waitress with 3 kids ('Yeah, do the math').

I made it rain. Nightly. By the time April rolled around, I knew I was close, but there is more to becoming a PC champion than the ME factor. This is why I would now like to thank Captain Buck for believing in me enough to take me sixth overall. A lot of people felt that this was way too early in the draft. A lot of people were wrong. I would also like to thank my teammates with whom I had the honor of playing. Mark, that first nine holes was rough. When I wanted to kill those Mexicans for not getting off the greens while we were trying to hit, you calmed me by forcing numerous $4 bud lights down my throat.

Lindsay, when I missed ANOTHER 2 footer that would have given us ANOTHER sweep, you patted me on the back and gave words of encouragement as opposed to throwing the Futura into the nearest wood chipper. Gentleman, this trophy is part yours.

I’m not sure where the road will lead from here. I don’t think it will truly set in what I’ve accomplished until I get the trophy back from Larry at Troplex. When I see my name engraved on that beautiful piece of hardware, maybe then will I think about what I want to do with the rest of my golfing career and how fortunate I am to have this overhanging burden lifted off my shoulders. I do know one thing however: Through years of friendship, the hard work of our Commishioner, the intensity of the chosen Captains, and having it located in beautiful Myrtle Beach, we have created the greatest golf tournament in the world….and I am proud to be its Champion."

Friday, May 1, 2009

Play in the 2009 Pineapple Cup officially began at 1:35 pm on Friday afternoon at the Grande Dunes Resort Course when Committee members Andrew Tucker and Mark Wilson struck their first tee shots. Friday’s weather was very nice, but a bit breezy with a 2-3 club wind all day long. Following is a summary of the day’s matches:

Match 1: Mark Wilson/Andrew Tucker v. Steve Riddick/Ghost(David Miller)

The first match got off to an inauspicious start for Team Yates when Riddick dunked his first two tee shots into the water off of the first tee. Tucker and Wilson managed to overcome the first tee jitters with tee shots down the middle. Unfortunately for Tucker, his jitters did not leave during the front nine play and he only cut Wilson on one hole. Mark Wilson was solid over the course of the front nine while Team Buck traded blows with Team Yates. Wilson/Tucker came to the 8th green with a 1 up lead and a chance to put away the front nine match. After striking a beautiful three wood to within fifteen feet of the hole on the long par three, Tucker had an opportunity to make birdie or par to put the front nine away. His birdie bid missed and Riddick refused to concede a rather short par putt. It turned out to be a good move as Tucker’s par bid never touched the hole. After David Miller’s 25-foot putt on the ninth green found the hole, the teams had halved the front nine match.

Match 1 saw little blood shed over the back nine until the 15th hole. There, Tucker found his putter and drained a 25-footer from off the green for a net birdie. His putt put Team Buck 1 up in the match and on the back nine. Tucker and Miller both made net birdies on the 16th to keep the match 1 up. On the 17th hole, Tucker’s drive found the hazard but was playable. He managed to advance his ball to a position to reach the green in regulation, which he did. His birdie bid stopped less than two feet from the hole. Riddick drained an 8 footer to make a net birdie on the hole and force Tucker to make his short putt to push the hole. Tucker’s reaction after striking his putt showed he knew he hit a very bad putt. Miraculously, his ball went in the back door and Team Buck maintained it’s 1 up lead going to the last hole. Riddick’s drive on 18 went out-of-bounds and he was done for the nine. Tucker/Wilson made pars on the last. Miller was unable to make a birdie and Team Buck had survived a grueling back nine to win 1 up.

Match 2: Lindsay Carrington/Andrew Ward v. Jeff Wilson/Ghost(Tug Maude)

Friday’s second match went Team Yates’ way from the outset when Wilson won the first hole with a net bogey. Consecutive three putts from Carrington on the next two holes increased Team Yates’ lead to 3 up thru 3. Throughout the front nine, Jeff Wilson played like a veteran and would not open the door for Carrington/Ward. When he did make a mistake, such as a three putt bogey on the par 3 14th hole, his partner helped out with the halve. Team Buck managed a win on the fifteenth hole to cut the lead to two. However, on the very next hole, Jeff Wilson got up and down from 110 yards for a net birdie. With his 10 foot putt, Jeff Wilson posted the first points of the 2009 Pineapple Cup. His stellar wedge play was not done. On the par 5 17th hole, Jeff Wilson hit a 95 yard wedge shot to 13 feet and Team Yates went 4 up for the match.

Team Buck looked to make a comeback on the back nine when Ward won the tenth hole with a net birdie and trimmed the lead to 3. Carrington narrowly missed a birdie bid on the eleventh hole. Nevertheless, Team Buck felt a little momentum building. It would not last. Tug made an impressive birdie at the 11th and the match was back to 4 up. Then, Team Yates won the 12th when Jeff Wilson made a 4 footer for a net birdie, now 5 up. Team Buck lost the 13th as well and the overall match was over, 6&5. The back nine match also ended early when Carrington’s birdie bid on the 16th failed to find the hole. The first sweep of 2009 had been completed.

Match 3: Morgan Dowtin/Wes Argabrte v. Alex Yates/David Miller

Match 3 was a see-saw battle. Yates/Miller were first to strike blood with a par on the 2nd hole. However, Team Buck countered by winning three of the next four holes. Team Yates narrowed the lead to 1 up with a solid par on seven. They squared the match on the long par 3 8th hole. Morgan and Miller halved the difficult 9th with net birdies. Over the course of the front nine, each team won three holes.

The see-saw continued when each team won the 10th and 11th and kept the match all square. Finally, on the 13th, Team Buck seized control of the match when Morgan made a net birdie on the long par 5. Morgan built momentum and Team Buck’s lead over the next two holes with birdies. Suddenly, Team Yates found themselves 3 down with 3 to play. Miller made a crucial net birdie on the 16th to force Team Buck to match. Morgan Dowtin did just that and rolled in his fourth birdie in a row to close the overall match and the back side.

Match 4: Buck Williams/Boone Smith v. Tug Maude/Steven Riddick

The final match of the day saw Team Buck take a 1 up lead after the first hole. They maintained that advantage until both players took costly double bogeys on the par 3 14th (second hole of the day). Buck broke the deadlock with a birdie on the seventh hole. Team Buck poured in two more wins and stood 3 up at the turn.

Team Yates regrouped at the turn and won the first two holes of the back nine. Buck again found his putting range when he holed a 40 footer for birdie at the 12th. Team Buck was back up 2. Team Yates answered with birdie at the next and cut the lead to one. Buck’s approach to the short par 4 15th set up a winning birdie and put the squeeze on Team Yates. Tug/Tommy won the side and forced the match to the last hole with a win at the 17th. However, Team Yates could not win the last and Team Buck had won the overall match.

At the end of the first day of play, Team Buck had a 7-5 edge over Team Yates. Certainly this is no small margin to overcome for Team Yates, especially in light of the arrival of two of his better players. Tomorrow’s action kicks off at 7:27 at Pine Lakes C.C.

Official 2009 Pineapple Cup Weather Forecast

The PBC, being a frail, semi-arthritic person, constantly consults the weather channel in the days leading up to a major event. In that regard, here is the 2009 Pineapple Cup forecast:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/USSC0239?from=36hr_topnav_business

Do Wildfires Affect Pineapple Cup Venue?

North Myrtle Beach, SC (AP) - More than 2,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in North Myrtle Beach, as a wildfire near the coast has damaged several dozen homes.
No injuries have been reported.


Emergency officials banged on doors this morning to get people to leave. The fire jumped state Highway 22 about 1:30 this morning as strong winds pushed the blaze through woods toward the Barefoot Landing development. The sprawling complex of house, condominiums and golf courses is separated from the beaches by the Intracoastal Waterway. Officials at the Grand Dunes Resort say neither of their golf courses have not been affected.


Officials hope the waterway will act as a natural firebreak to protect more populated areas closer to the beach.


The fire started yesterday. The cause has not been determined.

Fire near Grande Dunes Members - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynob4MX_9_A

Riddick Aces the 17th!

Atlanta, GA (Atlanta Business Journal) - Former Pineapple Cup Captain Steve Riddick is making headlines again today and exercising the demons of a missed business opportunity by acing the 17th hole at Fox Creek Golf Course. He used an 8-iron and the shot was witnessed by Pineapple Cup participant Tug Maude.

Riddick's ace marks the second hole-in-one in as many months for a Pineapple Cup participant.

Riddick Blows Off Golf With a Fortune 25 C-Level Executive

Atlanta, GA (Atlanta Business Journal) – A puzzling story developed yesterday in the upper echelon of Atlanta business society when Steve Riddick, former Pineapple Cup Captain, turned down an golf invitation given by a high level executive at Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.

According to sources continually paid and developed by the ABJ, the invitation included rounds at two exclusive courses in Sea Island, GA before returning via private jet on Sunday night. Spokesmen for the two corporate titans were mum on the details of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering necessary to prevent a full blown business society spat. However, Riddick did say that he “sucks at golf” and can “play golf anytime.”

Virtual U.S. Open

The PCB wanted to make all interested persons aware that you can play 9 shots on Bethpage Black over and over and over and over again here:

http://usga.usopen.com/2009/virtualopen/signup/

Masters Tribute

Augusta, GA - The PCB felt it appropriate to make at least one Master post on the Pineapple Cup blog. It concerns a funny story that has been passed down year after year in Augusta National Golf Club lore. Most will not recognize this story, but the PCB assures you that it is very much true...and happens to be the favorite story of the late Bobby Jones.

Jones would tell it during the Amateur Dinner during Masters week and it always left the crowd in stitches. The story goes:

On one occasion there was a new ANGC member who attended his first members Jamboree. He got involved in a bridge game that deteriorated into poker. To settle his nerves he was drinking pretty steadily, and when they finally poured him into bed, at 3 o'clock in the morning, he was as drunk as a hoot owl. At 8 o'clock the next morning they awakened him and took him out to the first tee. This fellow had a handicap of eighteen, a stroke a hole, and he was paired with a fellow who had a handicap that was much lower. On the first tee, the low-handicap fellow sliced his ball so far that it hasn't been found yet. Now, our hero, who was about to jump out of his skin, stepped up on the tee and topped his drive down the hill. The ground was hard and it rolled to the bottom. When he got to it, his caddie gave him a spoon and he topped it again. But the ball bounced along and bounced along past the trap on the right side of the fairway. He had about 125 yards left to the hole.

He said to his caddie, "What should I use now?" The caddie said "Oh, just go ahead and use the one you've got - it doesn't make any difference." Well, our hero topped the ball a third time. The pin was cut over there on the left, behind the trap. The ball rolled up the front of the green, just missing the trap, and stopped about six feet from the hole.

So, here was our hero with a six-foot putt for par, which would be a net birdie, and his partner was in his pocket. When he stood up to the ball, his hands were shaking on his putter. They kept shaking and he took the putter back. Then, as he stroked the ball, a great big collie dog came running up from somewhere, and it ran right between his legs. Miraculously, though, the ball went into the hole, and the low-handicap fellow rushed up and said, "Partner, that's the greatest display of coolness and calmness under fire I've ever seen. How in the hell did you make that putt when that collie dog was running right between your leg?"

Our hero responded, "My God - was that a real dog?"

Preview of Potential Singles Match-Ups in Charlotte!

Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Observer, April 5, 2009) – In 1991, Julia Roberts starred in a psychological thriller Sleeping With the Enemy. Lindsay Carrington had similar feelings on Sunday as he played thrilling preview matches in Charlotte against Captain Yates and several of his stars: Norm Waldrop and Tommy DeMint. Perhaps in an omen as to the results of the 2009 Pineapple Cup, the overall matches ended in a tie: 4.5 point to 4.5 points. Tommy DeMint played the best round of the group, carding a 2-over par 73 that included 4 birdies.

After the round the group was met by a haggard David Miller, who spend the weekend at a bachelor party in Atlantic City, NJ. Miller reportedly has non-golfing plans over the next few weekends, which make the PCB wonder if Captain Yates isn’t a bit miffed by Miller’s Pineapple Cup preparation.

Preparations for the Pineapple Cup continue around the southeast. About 1.5 hours north of Charlotte, the Greensboro faction of Team Buck was hard at work. At publishing time, though, the PCB had no details about the progress of such preparations.

Riddick Named Assistant Playing Captain!

Charlotte, NC - Only hours after the conclusion of the 2009 Pineapple Cup draft, Captain Yates announced that teammate Stephen Riddick will take on the role of Assistant Playing Captain for the team and Commander of Team Yates’ Satellite Training Facility/Forward Operating Base in Atlanta. In a well attending press conference, Captain Yates commented,

“Stephen’s leadership and experience leading a team to victory last year is an invaluable resource to our team and something that I wanted to formalize. I have asked that he help me with logistics, coordinating events and providing on-course reporting. Most importantly, however, is he will act as mentor to our 4 rookies and help usher them through the pressures of their first Pineapple Cup.

I am delighted to have not only the only winning captain in Pineapple Cup history on our team, but also to have him serve in a leadership position on our team. I can think of no one better to fill this position.”

Stephen Riddick was equally excited about the challenge,

“It is an honor, and with great pleasure, that I formally accept Captain Yates' offer to serve as his Assistant Captain. I'm humbled, yet also confident that our shared leadership values will propel this team to greatness. I will obviously always defer to the Mr. Yates' judgment, but I truly believe that my experience as winning captain in 2008 can provide valuable insight and leadership into the rigors of winning a Pineapple Cup.

I appreciate the way that Captain Yates was not distracted by the fanfare surrounding the opposing camp's draft, but quietly and methodically built this dominant team. I share a very similar leadership style and am truly excited to work alongside two former Pineapple Cup Champions who approach the Cup in the same light. I believe this combination of experience (all former champions) and rookie naivety; strokes and scratch golfers; and quiet, but deeply competitive participants will come together to form a dominant squad. It's an honor to be a part of it.”

Teams Finalized For the 2009 Pineapple Cup!

North Myrtle Beach, SC – The 2009 Pineapple Cup teams are set! Last night each captain made seven selections and the 2009 Pineapple Cup started to take shape. As expected, last-minute substitute Tug Maude was taken as the overall #1 selection in the 2009 draft.

The participants, media and other interested observers were greeted by the Commissioner and the Committee. Carrington treated the crowd to a few opening remarks and turned the floor over to Chairman Emeritus Mark Wilson, who handled the official announcement duties throughout the night. Callers were entertained throughout the waiting time during the 56 minute call by a number of songs, including “Hoochie in the Caddie” and a sermon by none other than Captain Williams himself.

Having the second and third picks in the draft put Captain Buck in a position to control the tone of the draft. Most felt that he would select Adam McLauglin as his second or third pick. Instead, Captain Buck called upon the experienced veterans Mark Wilson and Lindsay Carrington. While not completely unplanned for by camp Yates, Captain Buck’s move was the first curveball of the night. Given the opportunity to select the Pineapple Cup’s first professional golfer, Captain Yates quickly selected McLaughlin. Captain Yates then added Tommy DeMint to provide some veteran leadership to his team. After a few more picks the captains’ draft strategies became apparent. Clearly, Captain Yates wanted as many low handicap players on his team as possible. On the other hand Captain Buck was focused on the fourball format and drafted a mix of low and mid/high handicappers. By the end of the draft, the teams were set:

Team Yates
Alex Yates, Captain (0)
Tug Maude (+2)
Adam McLauglin (+2)
Tommy DeMint (2)
David Miller (4)
Norm Waldrop (2)
Steve Riddick (14)
Jeff Wilson, Defending (12)

Team Buck
Buck Williams, Captain (0)
Mark Wilson (4)
Lindsay Carrington (2)
Andrew Tucker (11)
Morgan Dowtin (6)
Boone Smith (11)
Wes Argabrite (6)
Andrew Ward (9)

In a post-draft interview Captain Yates suggested that he was more than pleased with the draft, but admitted that Captain Buck’s first two picks were somewhat surprising. Captain Buck was confident in his team, exclaiming that “you know a draft goes good when you do mock drafts, and the draft ends up exactly how you plan it out to be.” When asked if he felt he dominated Captain Yates in the first aspect of the Pineapple Cup, Buck turned his focus to the course “one down, one to go.” (Hear the interviews and draft at: https://cisco.webex.com/ciscosales/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=39439922&rKey=96DCCE399EFCD76A )

Most people agree that the Pineapple Cup cannot be won during the draft, but it can be lost. A comparison of the teams does not suggest that either captain lost the matches during the draft, though. No doubt the captain and teams now turn their focus to the courses and play in early May. You can bet that the players will prepare in earnest for this year’s event as each hopes to lay claim to the coveted Pineapple Cup.

2009 Pineapple Cup Official Handicaps Announced!

North Myrtle Beach, SC (AP) - Only minutes ago did The Committee announce the official 2009 Pineapple Cup handicaps. The immediate impression the PCB gets is the improvement in the field this year. Also, the PCB finds it interesting that the defending champion is second to last on the handicap hierarchy.

The handicaps are as follows:

1. Tug Maude +2
2. Adam McLaughlin +2
3. Alex Yates 0
4. Buck Williams 0
5. Lindsay Carrington 2
6. Tommy DeMint 2
7. Norm Waldrop 2
8. Mark Wilson 4
9. David Miller 4
10. Morgan Dowtin 6
11. Wes Argabrite 6
12. Andrew Ward 9
13. Boone Smith 11
14. Andrew Tucker 11
15. Defending Champion Jeff Wilson 12
16. Steve Riddick 14

The release of the handicaps on Friday afternoon gives each captain the ability to run draft scenarios over an intense, war-like weekend.

The draft will be conducted on Monday, March 30, 2009 at 8:00PM EST.