Jeff is stuck in NC until the end of the day, so we may not get the full fancy update until tomorrow. In the meantime, here are the stats... ROBBO HAS FALLEN OUT OF CASH POSITION. The Vodo's are currently in Gold and Silver position, w/ Da Bandit creeping into 3rd. What a race!
316 .... Stevie V.
309 .... Johnny V.
301 .... Da Bandit
299 .... Robbo/Buzz
237 .... Stevie T./New Texan
220 .... Jumpin Jeff/Shades
216 .... Tiger Philp
183 .... Stan the Man
181 .... Vic/Talonflier
-53 .... Fraser
Monday, July 31, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Crane-ium
I see that Talonflier suffered a setback yesterday with his pick of Ben Crane, who apparently forgot to take his Ritalin, or who is as mentally sharp as a bag of wet mice. From the tournement web site:
Defending champion Ben Crane was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. He parred the par-5 sixth hole, but signed for a 3. Crane, who played 36 holes Friday, had rounds of 67 and 72 to finish at 1 under.
Okay, so he would have missed the cut anyway, but it's still a helluva story especially since he's THE DEFENDING CHAMP!!!
Defending champion Ben Crane was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. He parred the par-5 sixth hole, but signed for a 3. Crane, who played 36 holes Friday, had rounds of 67 and 72 to finish at 1 under.
Okay, so he would have missed the cut anyway, but it's still a helluva story especially since he's THE DEFENDING CHAMP!!!
Friday, July 28, 2006
DJ is off to a HOT START boys... this could be the week!Thursday, July 27, 2006
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Ty Tryon
I have no idea why I thought of this little bag of bogeys, but his name ran across my consciousness just now... so I Googled him. And I have to say, I wish I didn't. Look at this friggin' picture! Is he a golfer or a porn star? This is going to cause me nightmares...Not shockingly, the tytryon.com web page is a dead link. However, there is a site that follows him, which can be found HERE.
Rule Changes For 2007
Although our previous adminstration tended to rule with an Iron Fist, I prefer getting a little feedback from the group. That being said, I plan to re-write some of our rules for next year to make this pool a bit more exciting, interactive and fair. That being said, here are some ideas that I have for next year... let me know what you think, and I will take your thoughts under advisement.
THE DUFFER AWARD
Presented to the FPGPer who finishes dead last in the pool. Although the infamy of the award should be enough, the "winner" of this award will be refunded their $100 entry. Note: this award will only be given if we have 15 or more FPGPers this year. I think it would be nice to give someone like Fraser something to root for, but I don't want to take out 10% of the prize pool to do it.
THE GREG OWEN CANON
Named in honor of Jeff's trade pick, this rule will put a new front-end on the trade timeline. Jeff was able to take advantage this year by doing some early research and seeing a potentially decent player get off to a shaky start, and he pulled the trigger on a trade very quickly. It seems to me that you could do this with almost anyone, yet it represents no skill whatsoever. For example, let's say Jim Furyk finishes at #2 on the money list, but misses a cut and finishes barely in the money in his first two events. He could be something like 100th on the money list and eligible for a trade. Trading for him would represent no real "skill" in picking players; rather it is just an opportunistic trade. I'd like to implement something like a "trade time" which begins in March and ends at the end of May... that way the money list has stabilized somewhat, and the Greg Owen moves are less likely to happen. Another way to think about it is to not allow a trade unless the to-be-traded-for person has played in a minimum number of events.
THE LOREN ROBERTS CANON
This rule limits who can be picked as a "short pick" to those players who are only eligible for the PGA Tour. This year, Roberts was a clever pick if you realized that he'd be spending most of his time on the Senior Tour. Again, this doesn't represent any "I think this guy over achieved last year, so I want to short him this year" skill... The Bart Bryant and Olin Browne picks from this year clearly demonstrate that. Rather, the Loren Roberts pick represents some due diligence on the picker's part, but that due diligence is in regard to "I don't think they will play many events." This also means you'd need to make your short pick(s) from the list of players who finished in the top 130 on the money list or otherwise have full playing privaleges on the PGA Tour. I can imagine another "clever" pick whereby the FPGER looks picks some dude in the 131-145 range who also doesnt get his card back at Q-school, and as such, is relegated to the Nationwide Tour.
TRADES/SHORTS/NUMBER OF PICKS
I've noodled the idea that we should have more than 1 trade a year, but I am not sure it is a great idea after all. It seems that the 1 trade is a way to make up for a mistake, but allowing two would be too much. For example, with the exception of Fraser, there is probably not anyone in this year's pool who couldn't leap into the money by making just one more trade. Thus, I think the "one trade policy" is a good one.
Something else I've noodled is increasing the number of picks from 7 to 8 for the sake of diversity in picks, and also allowing 1 or 2 short picks. That is, you have to have at least one short, but if you want to short 2 guys, that is OK. As always, you can't trade out your short picks.
Let me know what you think...
THE DUFFER AWARD
Presented to the FPGPer who finishes dead last in the pool. Although the infamy of the award should be enough, the "winner" of this award will be refunded their $100 entry. Note: this award will only be given if we have 15 or more FPGPers this year. I think it would be nice to give someone like Fraser something to root for, but I don't want to take out 10% of the prize pool to do it.
THE GREG OWEN CANON
Named in honor of Jeff's trade pick, this rule will put a new front-end on the trade timeline. Jeff was able to take advantage this year by doing some early research and seeing a potentially decent player get off to a shaky start, and he pulled the trigger on a trade very quickly. It seems to me that you could do this with almost anyone, yet it represents no skill whatsoever. For example, let's say Jim Furyk finishes at #2 on the money list, but misses a cut and finishes barely in the money in his first two events. He could be something like 100th on the money list and eligible for a trade. Trading for him would represent no real "skill" in picking players; rather it is just an opportunistic trade. I'd like to implement something like a "trade time" which begins in March and ends at the end of May... that way the money list has stabilized somewhat, and the Greg Owen moves are less likely to happen. Another way to think about it is to not allow a trade unless the to-be-traded-for person has played in a minimum number of events.
THE LOREN ROBERTS CANON
This rule limits who can be picked as a "short pick" to those players who are only eligible for the PGA Tour. This year, Roberts was a clever pick if you realized that he'd be spending most of his time on the Senior Tour. Again, this doesn't represent any "I think this guy over achieved last year, so I want to short him this year" skill... The Bart Bryant and Olin Browne picks from this year clearly demonstrate that. Rather, the Loren Roberts pick represents some due diligence on the picker's part, but that due diligence is in regard to "I don't think they will play many events." This also means you'd need to make your short pick(s) from the list of players who finished in the top 130 on the money list or otherwise have full playing privaleges on the PGA Tour. I can imagine another "clever" pick whereby the FPGER looks picks some dude in the 131-145 range who also doesnt get his card back at Q-school, and as such, is relegated to the Nationwide Tour.
TRADES/SHORTS/NUMBER OF PICKS
I've noodled the idea that we should have more than 1 trade a year, but I am not sure it is a great idea after all. It seems that the 1 trade is a way to make up for a mistake, but allowing two would be too much. For example, with the exception of Fraser, there is probably not anyone in this year's pool who couldn't leap into the money by making just one more trade. Thus, I think the "one trade policy" is a good one.
Something else I've noodled is increasing the number of picks from 7 to 8 for the sake of diversity in picks, and also allowing 1 or 2 short picks. That is, you have to have at least one short, but if you want to short 2 guys, that is OK. As always, you can't trade out your short picks.
Let me know what you think...
Monday, July 24, 2006
UPDATE 7/24/06
WE HAVE A NEW LEADER...
This is a really tight race! 7 points separate 1st from 3rd, and less than 100 separate first from 2nd to last (Fraser is so far out, we don't even look at his scores). Some of this week's backwards movement from Robbo (and a few others) resulted from Scott Hoch's standings... another 15 or so players made it onto the money list, driving the "1+ the last guy on the list" score all the way up to 261. Jeff made the most progress with a little forward momentum from Sergio.
As for Robbo/Buzz/Da Rodent... looks like this is his fate...
This is a really tight race! 7 points separate 1st from 3rd, and less than 100 separate first from 2nd to last (Fraser is so far out, we don't even look at his scores). Some of this week's backwards movement from Robbo (and a few others) resulted from Scott Hoch's standings... another 15 or so players made it onto the money list, driving the "1+ the last guy on the list" score all the way up to 261. Jeff made the most progress with a little forward momentum from Sergio.
As for Robbo/Buzz/Da Rodent... looks like this is his fate...
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Sergio Garcia's Final Round Putting...
Good move not taking the bet on Sergio finishing in the top 5... I know the round is still in progress, but given the way he is putting, I don't think he has much hope.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Insert British Open Side Bet Trash Talk Here
Harrington +3? Wow. Thought he was the one good pick you made. Shocked also by Clarke at -3. I am still confident the Karma Bus will run you over.
Daniel "Don't Call Me Deepak" Chopra
What is up with this dude? I checked in on the B.C. Open scores, and again, he is on the top of the board. If PGA Tour events were 18 or 36 holes, he may have won $5 million already this year... he seems to get out to the front more consistently than anyone.As a side note, I also just realized that this tourney is being "Presented By Turning Stone Resort." Let me tell you a little bit about Turning Stone...
1. If you had a map of "nowhere" you could find it by looking smack in the middle of said map.
2. The casino itself is OK... the poker room is absolutely wonderful. I usually joke that bad poker players have to count using their fingers and toes. Well, it is even worse when they have webbed feet, like in upstate New York... relying on a Base-9 or Base-8 system to calculate "outs" in poker is not a profitable way to play. My one night playing a small $5-10 Limit Hold-em game, I cleaned the table for over $700 in 4 hours... and I was shitfaced. One one hand, I "flopped" FOUR ACES, and kept getting raised and re-raised to the max by TWO guys who were trying to bluff me. Now that is fun stuff.
3. If you want to go to Turning Stone and enjoy an adult beverage, bring your own. Yup, it is an alcohol free environment. When Petra and I sat down at a Blackjack table upon arrival, I ordered the customary Jack and Coke. Waitress said "I can get that... hold the Jack." It was later explained to us that the Indian Tribe that runs the place made a deal with the state government... if they didn't serve alcohol, they could let 18 and over gamble... and the one thing that that area of upstate New York has is 18 and over kids, because of the number of colleges. You can, however, bring in your own. This explains how I was "shitfaced" in a dry casino... Petra and I went to a local liquor store, loaded up, went back to our suite, drank like it was an Olympic event, then went down over (separate buildings... stupid) casino.
4. The "Lodge Resort" or whatever it is called is one of the nicest places I've ever stayed. It has the feeling of an upscale ski resort... something you might find in Aspen or Reno... it is strangely out of place in this shit hole.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
JG, who is your pick to win the British Open?
I personally like Tim Clark. Guy is money overseas and his recent showing at the Western Open and Masters makes me think this guy can play in Big tournaments.
SIDE BET ISSUE: TREVOR IMMELMAN
Tiger, I just heard on the radio that Trevor pulled out of the British Open because of the birth of his daughter... the question is this... are you going to do the right thing and give me a pick to replace him, or are you going to be a bastard?
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Sergio? Is that you?
We had a visitor to the blog from Vigo, Spain - Galicia Region on Tuesday. Sergio is that you? If so, why aren't you practicing your putting? If it is you, you should post a comment here and get some of that ol'fashioned FPGP MOJO. Post here and in your next tourney finish in the top 10. Don't believe it? Ask fellow PGA professionals that finished in the top 10 at the Cialis Western Open.
FPGP MOJO, it's not just for breakfast anymore!
FPGP MOJO, it's not just for breakfast anymore!
Two Leaderboards
I have the links for both the British and B.C. Open leaderboards set up on the side bar. I am reasonably certain that PGA Tour guys are able to allocate their winnings in the British to their PGA Tour totals, so this is an important one. Same for the B.C. Open, which has many of our bottom tier players (e.g., Trashcan) in the field.
Stevie T. and Tiger Philp: British Open Side Bet
Ok former commish, this is the thread we can use to make our picks... we'll just do it in the comments. You mentioned you had a full day today, so I expect to see your first pick this evening... I'll log in from time to time, and maybe we can get it all done today.
1. You get the first pick, by virtue of the thumping you got in the Master's bet. Five picks total.
2. $50 for team with most earnings at the British Open.
3. $50 if the winner is picked.
This is a tradition between me and Tiger, so if you'd like to join... too bad. It would take too long to enlist others into our little fun. However, I do encourage you guys to engage in any side bets that you want and feel free to use the blog to arrange them.
----------
OK, here are the teams:
TIGER PHILP:
Mickelson
Clarke
Harrington
Donald
Montgomerie
STEVIE T:
Singh
Goosen
Immelman
Ogilvy
Appleby
Check out the comments to see the "evolution" of the picks.
1. You get the first pick, by virtue of the thumping you got in the Master's bet. Five picks total.
2. $50 for team with most earnings at the British Open.
3. $50 if the winner is picked.
This is a tradition between me and Tiger, so if you'd like to join... too bad. It would take too long to enlist others into our little fun. However, I do encourage you guys to engage in any side bets that you want and feel free to use the blog to arrange them.
----------
OK, here are the teams:
TIGER PHILP:
Mickelson
Clarke
Harrington
Donald
Montgomerie
STEVIE T:
Singh
Goosen
Immelman
Ogilvy
Appleby
Check out the comments to see the "evolution" of the picks.
British Open weather forcast?
Tim Herron sauntered around the putting green in front of the Royal Liverpool clubhouse, soaking up a glorious day and marveling at what he had seen out on the course. 'They were sunbathing over there,' he said, motioning off into the distance with his club.
Sunbathing? At the British Open?
Indeed.
During Tuesday's practice round at this historic course along the Irish Sea, the temperature was climbing into the 80s beneath a brilliant blue sky, with nary a cloud to be had.
There were no fearsome gusts whipping in off the water, just a refreshing breeze. Instead of bundling up in sweaters and jackets, most fans milled around the links wearing shorts and T-shirts.
If conditions stay anything close to this through the weekend, Tiger Woods' record 19-under score while winning at St. Andrews six years ago could be in jeopardy. FULL STORY
Monday, July 17, 2006
Tell It Like It Is
Like a pesky (albeit determined) insect, da Bandit is now swarming around the leaders of the FPGP. But, his team (many lacking in masculine qualities) has likely peaked, save for Ian Leggett, who may go down as the poorest pick in FPGP history (right up there with Philp’s choice of Gabriel Hjertstedt). Incidentally, Philp traded for Leggett this year showing that he hasn’t lost his touch!
The FPGP board has lacked the typical Bandit bravado, which has served him well in the business world and while stationed at the end of numerous bars. Why the absence? Well, he was last sighted in New Orleans at a bar called Monkey Hill --- I know since he left a gin-soaked message on my answering machine.
As far as da Rodent, his team is toast. If you believe in the saying “coffee is for closers,” Robbo is decaf at best. Yes, his squad is headed for another 2nd half swoon ---- poor coaching pure and simple.
As for me, my team is just beginning to percolate, lead by the phoenix known as JG! I just have to make better side bets and all should turn out okay.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Senden Da Bandit Up The Money List
John Senden's victory today puts Da Bandit in a position he knows well in the FPGP. Yes, the career leading money leader of our pool is once again in "cash position," replacing Johnny V. in 3rd place... this move shakes up the top 3 for the first time in months. Moreover, only 13 points now separate first from 3rd... had Da Bandit not dumped Alex Cejka, he'd be alone in first by about 40 points.
When I calculated the points, I thought I made a typo, but the totals are correct. Tex/Shades are tied, as are Stan and Vic.
Also, Jeff/Shades put up a "side bet summary" on the sidebar for us... it is just a little summary I've made to keep track of the side action that is generating. The way to read it is DOWN columns.
When I calculated the points, I thought I made a typo, but the totals are correct. Tex/Shades are tied, as are Stan and Vic.
Also, Jeff/Shades put up a "side bet summary" on the sidebar for us... it is just a little summary I've made to keep track of the side action that is generating. The way to read it is DOWN columns.
Eagle Sightings
JG puts up 3 back nine eagles on Sunday. EXCELLENT work JG!!!!!!! Your 2nd shot on 17 took a very nice hop and roll. Tough (expensive) break on 18, but hey, another great tournament for you and don't let 18 get you down. 3 EAGLES for god sake.
Standings Shakeup
Could be a TON of movement after this week's tourney. John Senden, currently leading (and running away a bit) can be found on Da Bandit's team, and only his. Trashcan is currently T11, and if he can avoid a meltdown, should give me a bunch of points. Same for Jumpin Jeff who is riding the Justin "Every Rose Has A Thorn, and Mine Is My Putting." JG, held by a few people is also crawling up the board.
It's also possible that Da Bandit may have one of those "bitter sweet" days, as Alex Cejka is climbing into the top 3... Da Bandit had Cejka but dumped him for Chris Smith right at the deadline. It looks like had Da Bandit stood pat on the trade deadline, he'd vault into or very near the lead today (assuming the leaderboard holds).
It's also possible that Da Bandit may have one of those "bitter sweet" days, as Alex Cejka is climbing into the top 3... Da Bandit had Cejka but dumped him for Chris Smith right at the deadline. It looks like had Da Bandit stood pat on the trade deadline, he'd vault into or very near the lead today (assuming the leaderboard holds).
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