FRIDAY
SHAMBLE @ FIRECLIFF
The top 4 groups will earn a point for their side in best ball “Shamble:” Team chooses best tee shot, then each player plays their own ball from there. Lowest gross score counts for team score on that hole. Teams must use a minimum of 3 tee shots from each player.
TEAM DUFFER GROUPS
B. Sailhamer/C. Thuman/LaTour/Pieper
Insiders wonder about team chemistry in this foursome considering that LaTour briefly dated Mrs. Pieper in the late 90s. Nevertheless, the Duffer captain is confident that bygones will be bygones and good vibes will follow. LaTour makes his return after a 2 year absence and is rumored to have only teed it up twice in the last 15 months. Pieper has been grinding on his game and has reportedly logged 3 late summer practice rounds where he’s learning to swing the club like the former athlete he is. Young Bryce enters this year’s event with some solid golf under his belt on the High School and junior golf circuit, but needs to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump in his 2nd D&B campaign. Cam Thuman may be the wildcard in this group, as sources report has played a lot less golf since he found a girlfriend. This may please his mother, but his team captain is reportedly concerned.
Odds to earn a point: +130
Janicke/Howell/Aponte/Mariani
Captain Duffer copy and pasted this point-earning group from last year’s Friday shamble. Janicke spent his summer on the LL baseball circuit but has found healing on the course after having his heart broken by the Hawaiians in San Bernadino. Reports from Howell’s recent team Duffer practice round were less than stellar, but his team is confident that this Duffer legend will be ready as long as he can turn his phone off and forget about Trump’s tariffs for 4 hours. Aponte has quietly shaved a few strokes off his index in retirement and makes up for a lack of distance with relentless accuracy off the tee. Mariani has joined Pieper and his captain on the course several times of late, but team sources have admitted concern about his focus with his beloved Chiefs kicking off their season at 5pm with several holes left to play.
Odds to earn a point: -145
D. Little/Kalma/J. Little/Burke
A pair of father/son rookies joins forces with Duffer veterans in this group. Dave Little is no stranger to desert golf, but how he handles rookie nerves will go a long way towards deciding if this group is in the mix to earn a point. Kalma bears the burden of being the emotional leader and glue guy of this foursome but will need to contribute quality golf shots along the way. Young Little is capable of prodigious bombs off the tee, but his talent on the baseball field means that golf takes a back seat for most of the year and thus he’s untested in the cauldron of D&B Friday shamble pressure. Burke brings an unflappable good vibes presence to this group, but that alone won’t be enough if he can’t contribute some solid tee shots and give himself a few birdie looks throughout the round.
Odds to earn a point: +130
J. Sailhamer/Miller/Hobbs/Pearson
The Duffer captain looks to run it back with Hobbs and Miller after earning a point in last year’s shamble. Pearson joins the effort, taking over a spot held by Billy Tarka last year. The tournament chairman reached a career low handicap this summer, but recent rounds have reportedly been less than stellar. Miller’s swing seems to be in a good spot, but his career D&B record has had more lows than highs, a trend he looks to reverse this year by making a statement on Friday and building momentum for the rest of the weekend. A wager on this group might boil down to which Hobbs shows up, and those that have followed the veteran’s career know that you can usually tell within the first couple of holes what kind of day it’s going to be. Pearson is a legendary Duffer vibes guy and has a bevy consequential putts on his résumé, but he will need to do his job off the tee to carry his weight and fill Tarka’s shoes from 2024.
Odds to earn a point: -140
TEAM BLUFFER GROUPS
Ollivier/Rosenthal/Cid/Decker
Ollivier is looking to avenge last year’s surprising failure to cash a Friday point, even if he has to do it without his usual Friday running mate Ed Cervera. He is joined by a pair of fellow Bluffer veterans and a wildcard in the 4-hole. Bluffer legend Brandon Rosenthal packs a career low handicap for the trip from Nashville and has strategically delayed nominating his oldest son for the event so he can enjoy at least one more “boys weekend” like the good old days. Cid was a team Bluffer hold-out well into August and only came to terms with ownership once he was assured of multiple Ollivier pairings. Pundits have noted that Cid’s wife has been posting golf gear for sale on Facebook marketplace, which may not bode well for the state of his game. Nathan Decker, out of Seattle, makes his 3rd career appearance, and 2nd for Team Bluffer. He has played golf on at least 2 occasions this year, including a practice round at Chambers Bay, yet he doesn’t own golf clubs or even golf shoes so wager carefully.
Odds to earn a point: -135
Ouderkerken/P. Girod/White/ Lincoln Sailhamer
Ouderkerken continues to switch sides on a series of 1 year contracts, and will certainly be prodded for any information he can provide from the team Duffer playbook. As a new dad, his own game is a bit rusty but his camp is confident that the former QB1 will rise to the occasion when it matters. Bluffer legend Phil Girod will find out what it’s like to try to enjoy the boys trip while also playing the role of dad to a tournament rookie. He will need to set that aside and find his game quickly to help this team battle for a point. Jason White is certainly vibing with Ouderkerken, his brother-in law, back on his side and in his foursome which should lead to clear eyes and a full heart for the veteran Bluffer. Rounding out the group is newly minted Bruin Lincoln Sailhamer, who is squeezing the weekend in between a summer full of world travel and impending move-in day to the dorms in Westwood. He will need to set aside the distractions and lock in for this group to finish in the money.
Odds to earn a point: +140
Luke Sailhamer/Burns/R. Thuman/M. Sailhamer Jr
Smarting from frequent losses to his dad and younger brother in the Spring, Luke Sailhamer has made a concerted effort to knock the rust off his game entering this year’s event. The hard work in the gym and on the course will pay off if he can lead this group to a point after helping post a Friday best -5 in last year’s shamble. Rick Burns is reportedly banged up and has played a light schedule this summer but can usually be counted on to rise to the occasion for his side. Speaking of light schedules, Rob Thuman barely plays golf anymore but is always motivated to show both captains that their frequent bullying doesn’t define him. Meanwhile, Michael Sailhamer Junior makes his 2nd tourney appearance for team Bluffer coming off a successful debut season for FUHS JV. Coach Guzman ain’t walking thru that door so he will need to put on his big boy pants and hit some golf shots in between his patented rallying cries that will surely echo throughout the course. Vegas has this group as the slight Friday favorites against the field.
Odds to earn a point: -155
Mike Sailhamer/Duffy/Brookman/D. Girod
Captain Bluffer will be looking for the winning formula for team chemistry in this foursome with 2 fellow veterans and a young rookie. The Captain has found a way to play more golf of late, and is confident in his game as he looks to lead his side to their 4th straight cup. Former MVP Jim Duffy plans on showing up and showing out as usual, and brings a strong career shamble record to the Friday festivities. Dave Brookman plays most of his golf with fellow elites at the world’s finest golf resorts, but the quality of his course selections often outpaces both the quality and quantity of his play. Nevertheless, the Bluffer veteran has a knack for making a big putt when his team needs it most. Finally, rookie Dallas Girod will take a brief hiatus from the diamond and the classroom to make his tourney debut. His captain isn’t worried about the 3 drive minimum, but he will need to fins some magic with the short game to help his foursome earn a point.
Odds to earn a point: +120