2009 Phi Alpha Cup Preview

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

After one of the most controversial off-seasons on record, the 2009 Phi Alpha Cup is one of the most highly-anticipated events in recent sporting history.

PAIRINGS RELEASED, CHICKENLESS 98’ERS TRY TO FEND THE FARM

April 30, 2009
On the heels of the most exciting Phi Alpha Cup in history, the 2009 edition is boasting more storylines and heated rivalries than any other Cup in recent memory. Gone is bombastic Team 98 member Stirling “The Wet Chicken” Bomar, who was suspended for violating rules set out in the Phi Alpha Charter. In his place, Team 98 has called upon a somewhat surprising replacement player, former Reidsville Ram Player of the Week, Todd Balsley. On the 97 side, team members have dealt all off-season with the weight of being anointed the overwhelming favorite once again, yet the team is haunted by familiar echos of Cups past that have caused them to consistently disappoint: Off the course flare-ups and wild disparity in the play of “Scuba” Steve Burr; Andy Sands dealing with a host of injuries; and Chandler Willett announcing he has no transportation to the tournament or clubs to actually participate in the ’09 event.

While defending the Cup this year with no true #2 player will not be easy for Team 98, Team 97 has consistently lacked the mental toughness and chemistry to win these toughly challenged contests. Will 2009 be any different? We break down the matches below.

Friday 1-4 / 2-3 Cumulative Round:
(Sands-Burr vs. Johnson-Balsley)
(Parker-Willett vs. Eaton-Black)
In both 2007 and 2008, Team 97 raced out to a convincing 2-0 Friday lead leaving Team 98 scrambling for Saturday answers. This year’s Friday matches mark the debut of Team 98’s Todd Balsley and the first of four Burr-Balsley matchups over the course of the ’09 competition. Team 97’s Burr is coming off a brilliant performance in last weekend’s Kiawah exhibition and has had great chemistry with teammate Andy Sands in the Cumulative format ever since Sands helped encourage Burr to his first Phi Alpha point in 2007. And while Johnson has put together yet another impressive Spring season, he will have to compensate for Balsley and his nerves of noodles given that this is the rookie’s first ever Phi Alpha match. In the 2-3 match, Team 97’s Chandler Willett is hoping to merely to have his equipment in time for tee off, and Andrew Parker had a sorry conclusion to his season at the Kiawah exhibition. The undefeated pairing of Parker and Willett faces 98ers Jeff Eaton and Winston Black – a combination that has had incredible success as a Best Ball team through the years. So what gives?

While Balsley may come out rattled in his first ever PAC outing, his rivalry with 97’s Burr is enough to get him focused after the first 4 or 5 holes. And with Johnson playing as well as he is, the 98 duo should be able to put together enough good shots to get through the front nine relatively unscathed. After the turn, it will be apparent to everyone that these two teams are so evenly matched, that the only way for this one to end is halved. In the other match, although Willett and Parker may not be coming into this year’s PAC with a head full of steam, their team chemistry is enough to keep their undefeated record as teammates in tact, despite a valiant closing effort by Eaton and Black that will make this one close at the end. Unfortunately, close only counts on the Nationwide Tour.
Team 1997 (1 1/2 points); Team 1998 (1/2 points)

Saturday 1-2 / 3-4 Best Ball:
(Sands-Parker vs. Johnson-Eaton)
(Willett-Burr vs. Black-Balsley)
While Team 97 normally dominates Friday’s matches, Team 98 has historically returned the favor during Saturday’s Best Ball matches. The 1-2 match has never been decided before the 18th hole in the history of the Cup. However, 98’s Johnson will have a new teammate this year in the form of Jeff Eaton who will be stepping into the #2 slot in light of Bomar’s suspension. And in the 3-4 match, it is anyone’s guess what will amount out of a Black-Balsley pairing for the 98’ers. What is known though, is what to expect from Willett and Burr. This has been a disastrous and winless pairing since its conception. Nothing should change in that regard. However, the team of Sands and Parker look to pick up some of the slack and are able to capitalize on Eaton’s inexperience playing at this elevated level. Split this one down the middle like a Balsley Tight Lies shot.
Team 1997 (1 point); Team 1998 (1 point)

Saturday Scramble: In the long history of this prestigious tournament, no team has ever lost the Saturday Scramble and gone on to win the Phi Alpha Cup. Couple that with the fact that Team 97 has never won Saturday’s full team match (Team 97 halved the Scramble in 2007, the year of their lone Phi Alpha win), and you would have to say that history does not favor the 97ers. And while rumors have surfaced that Team 97 has jumbled their lineup in a desperate attempt to be more competitive in the pivotal match, there are no indications that anything less than a total makeover can heal this terminally ill Scramble team. Better call a medic.
Team 1998 (2 points)

Sands/Johnson Sunday Singles: No, you are not reading the 2008 Cup Preview. But the story is the same. Johnson is playing some of the best golf of his career, and the injured Sands is slightly more mobile than roadkill. Unless Johnson is working undercover for the “Make a Wish Foundation,” this one ends like all the rest in this series.
Team 1998 (1 point)

Parker/Black Sunday Singles: Have you ever seen The Golf Channel’s Playing Lessons with the Pros?
Team 1997 (1 point)

Willett/Eaton Sunday Singles: Lost in all the 2009 Cup scuttlebutt over Chandler Willett’s transportation mixup and equipment mishaps was Willett’s guarantee through press outlets that he would revenge the thrilling and decisive loss to Eaton from last year. Unknowingly, Eaton put forth a similar “lose and retire” challenge to Steve Burr before the 2009 Singles Match pairings were even announced. In addition, according to press reports, this parroted a challenge Steve Burr actually made to Eaton six days prior to Eaton’s challenge. (see story) Unfortunately for Eaton, there are no comments on comments, and Willett has informed PAC officials he’d like his post-round Gucci loafers laid out on the 16th green.
Team 1997 (1 point)

Burr/Balsley Sunday Singles: Carolina-Duke. Red Sox-Yankees. Ohio State-Michigan. Burr-Balsley. It’s the rivalry of all rivalries – the match we’ve all been waiting for. And with the Phi Alpha Cup all square at 4 1/2 points a side, Burr vs. Balsley XIII will ultimately decide the tournament winner in 2009. How else would you want it? This heated rivalry between these two fierce opponents has seen its ugly moments over the years. Slights in the press, on the course scoring infractions and even a 2002 caddy brawl have all overshadowed the horrendous golf that has been played between these two players. It is well known that Balsley has accumulated his own championship hardware on the lower tour and has been known to hit big shots, including dropping a 25-foot eagle putt and a 186-yard approach shot in prior tournament appearances. However, questions remain on whether Balsley can keep up that level of play on the Phi Alpha stage. Steve Burr on the other hand, boasts a different set of accolades that he has accumulated during his Phi Alpha career, including a record-setting winless streak that stretched over 2 years. But it feels like this is destiny calling for one “Scuba” Steve Burr. A superhero deserves one shining moment. Aquaman swims a victory lap and drowns in champagne instead of a greenside pond.
Team 1997 (1 point)

FINAL SCORE: 5 1/2 – 4 1/2; TEAM 1997 WINS PHI ALPHA CUP