February 15, 2009 -- The Man Out Front and several notables recently conducted a mock 2009 Pineapple Cup draft while waiting for play to resume at Pebble Beach. I grew tired of a poker game with Nick Price, Clint Eastwood, Gary McCord and Anthony Kim, so my card partners and I decided to project the 2009 Pineapple Cup draft. From the outset, let me say it was not easy. Here is how I (and my partners) think it will unfold:
- Adam McLaughlin - who wouldn't want the Cup's first pro on his team?
- Mark Wilson - we felt it likely that another Wilson will win it in 2009.
- Wes Argabrite - last year's results talking here!
- Norm Waldrop - a good putter is a match for anyone.
- Fred Stone - unknown effects of injury kept him out of the top 3 spots.
- Lindsay Carrington - last year's points leader going into the final day cannot be passed up at this spot.
- Tommy DeMint - likely to be a key contributor to his team in 2009.
- David Miller - dark-horse participant with the game to win it all.
- Andrew Tucker - overall record from 2008 deserves a higher place.
- Jeff Wilson - typically defending champions don't fare well, but worth a shot in the 10th spot.
- Morgan Dowtin - a steal at the 11th spot.
- Steve Riddick - new dedication to the game will be tested early, but not rewarded in the draft.
- Andrew Ward - unknown participant won't go early, but could be a steal late.
- Boone Smith - until he proves that 2008 was his bachelor party, he'll be near the bottom.
Based on our draft, the teams would then look like this: (Team 1 - Adam, Argabrite, Stone, DeMint, Tucker, Dowtin, Ward); (Team 2 - Mark, Norm, Lindsay, Miller, Jeff Wilson, Riddick, Smith).
After the mock draft, and before another game of Texas Hold 'Em, the Man Out Front and friends observed several interesting potential matchups from the teams. I chose to rank the top five potential matchups:
5. Adam/Morgan v. Brothers Wilson - battle of the families.
4. Argabrite/Stone v. anyone - these guys were an unstoppable combined force last year.
3. DeMint/Tucker v. Brothers Wilson - Tommy's cold shank on the 18th in this match proved very important.
2. Tucker v. Riddick - a rematch of last year's pivotal captain's match.
1. Yates v. Buck - no need to say more.
Mark going one last year was a joke. With the improved roster this year I would say he goes much much higher. However, I would like to go ahead and make the prediction that he goes first or second in the 2010 PC. Why? Five Words: Corey Pavin Ryder Cup Captain. It will inspire him.
ReplyDeleteRumor has it that David Miller has already started sandbagging in attempts to get his handicap up.
from reading ward's newly posted bio, it sounds like he is quite the player ("taking down an event or two"). why did they draft him so late? what is missing?
ReplyDeletethe previous rumors have been confirmed that david miller has in fact been padding his handicap. bold move for a rookie.
Wes and Fred were the steals of last year's draft. Who will be those guys this year? Stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteThe Man Out Front must not have known that the Pineapple Cup snakes the draft. Thus, under his scenario, the teams would be:
ReplyDeleteTeam 1 - Adam, Norm, Fred, Miller, Tucker, Riddick, Ward
Team 2 - Mark, Arga, LC, Tommy, Jeff, Morgan, Boone
Some interesting matchups I see (besides the captains match) are (1) Adam v. Morgan, (2) Tucker/Riddick v. anyone, and (3) Fred v. Arga.
-LC
Based on the comments I've heard from Captain Buck's camp...I see more of a dispersion based on whether or not Buck knows you. I look for an all WFU team for Buck.
ReplyDeleteI don't know David Miller or anything about his character, but the CGA handicap site shows this trend:
ReplyDelete1/1/09 4.0
1/15/09 4.2
2/1/09 4.3
2/15/09 4.3
3/1/09 4.3
I'm going to give Miller the benefit of the doubt for now and say the slight tick upward is just Winter rust, but it's worth watching as the Cup gets closer.
Personally, I don't think Adam will go #1 in the draft. I think that, if Buck picks first, he'll select Stone. If Yates selects first, he'll take Miller (despite his questionable sandbagging). The steal of the draft will be Morgan, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous above. There is always a curveball. There is a lot of strategy that goes into the draft (especially with the snack format). Taking the best player is not necessarily the best way to go. Riddick obviously agreed with this sentiment when he took Mark #1 last year.
ReplyDeleteWhy all this hostility toward Mark's game? I mean, the guy came through HUGE last year in defeating my team. he threw up on the 1st tee on sunday for god's sake and still managed to take 2 out of 3 from the anointed PC rookie of the year Wes Argabrite. he and buck had the big comeback against yates on fri and he and LD came back against myself and tommy on sunday. if not for LD's bush league competition, mark would be the PC cup champion.
ReplyDelete- Tucker
Thanks Tucker. your support means a lot.
ReplyDelete