Sports Illustrated’s 2005 Phi Alpha Cup Tournament Recap

Monday, May 9th, 2005

SI’s Continuing Coverage of the Phi Alpha Cup

Controversy Rules At The First Annual Phi Alpha Cup

May 9, 2005
In stunning fashion, the 1998 squad humbled the veterans of 1997 in a 5-2 drumming. Stirling Bomar was quoted, even after his singles match loss of 6 & 5, “We’re playing at a different level and for the challenge to actually become a challenge, ’97 needs to deal and make some very tough decisions in the off-season.” He went on to cough, which sounded just like he was saying Burr.

With best ball, scramble, and two single match victories; the ’98 squad is feeling very good about their chances at retaining the Phi Alpha Cup… indefinitely. Captain Johnson’s statement read, “The ’97 / ’98 Challenge is a grueling tournament that requires hard work, talent, luck, and team chemistry. This challenge is a culmination of an intense rivalry and fortunately for us, we had a few more good breaks this year”. After a few beers, Mr. Johnson expanded on his statement, “…and by good breaks, I mean good golfers.”

On the controversy that tainted this year’s event, Andy Sands of ’97 displayed strong feelings. “It’s easy to say in hindsight that we should have fielded a full squad to play against this rag-tag bunch. But given the two shot penalty that should have been self-imposed, we would have won that hole, and thus the 2 points in the Scramble – which gives us the entire match, 4-3. Golf is supposed to be a gentlemen’s game full of integrity, and I’m still waiting for ’98 to self-impose the penalty and hand over the victory. In our minds, and in the fans minds, we won this year’s event. And just like the ’72 USA basketball team, we will not recognize a second place finish when we actually won gold.”

When asked about the decision not to field a full squad, Andrew Parker said, “Should we have brought a full team of 4? Possibly. But next year our fourth will probably just follow the ’98 team and watch for flagrant rules infractions.”

Sands’ teammate, Steve Burr, agreed saying he was embarrassed to be associated with such a display saying, “Have a little respect for the game of golf.”

When told of Steve Burr’s comments, Jeff Eaton replied, “When talking about respect for the game, did Burr mention hacking up the fairways and filling the CCNC ponds with golf balls? Just wondering. Wow.”

The Eaton-Burr back and forths were common throughout the tournament and encapsulated an intense rivalry nearly came to blows several times throughout the weekend. One such instance occurred when Mr. Burr struck his approach shot on the 18th hole and Jeffrey Judson yelled an emphatic “Wow”, only to see the ball plunk into the water. Mr. Burr retorted, “Jeats, I don’t think that deserved a ‘Wow’.”

The 98 team has failed to recognize the complaint due to what their attorneys call, “excessive whining and the not so rare, poor loser syndrome”. The golfing highlights of the weekend included Mr. Parker’s miraculous shot from the woods on 18 to win his head to head match-up with John Stubbs. Captain Sands dared to fly with an eagle on number 5 Saturday morning. And of course, Stirling’s infamous and dramatic 30+ footer for birdie on the par three 16th to demoralize the’97 squad.

The squads parted as friends, but many believe this rivalry will go the way of Duke/Carolina, Yanks/BoSox, etc.

Further Reading: The Rules of Golf

Rule 8-2b. When the player’s ball is on the putting green, the player, his partner or either of their caddies may, before but not during the stroke, point out a line for putting, but in so doing the putting green must not be touched. A mark must not be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting.
Penalty for Breach of Rule:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

Box Score

Best Ball – 1998 (1 point)
Scramble – 1998 (2 point)
Single Matches:
APSIV vs. Stirling Bomar – 1997 6 & 5 (1 point)
DLJ vs. APSIV – 1998 2 & 1 (1 point)
Andrew Parker vs. John Stubbs – 1997 1 up (1 point)
Jeffrey Judson vs. Steven Burr – 1998 5 & 4 (1 point)

Total: 5-2 (1998)*

* Team 97 contends that a 2-shot penalty that Team 98 failed to self-impose during the Captain’s Choice Round actually gave the Scramble, and thus the Title to Team 97, 4-3.