Potomac Cup Qualifier Results

We have our men.

A heartfelt thank you to everybody who came out to the 2017 Qualifier at University of Maryland GC yesterday. It was great to get this event back off the ground after a 6-year hiatus.

I received many heartfelt thanks from the players for organizing the event. And I accept those humbly. However, it is the players who make the event, not the other way around.

We have some very, very, good golfers in the Finals this year. These guys play a LOT of tournament golf. They choose which events to play, and which ones to skip.

This, was essentially a “new” event for 80% of the guys who showed up. They didn’t know if it would suck, be a joke, take 6 hours, or what. These guys work for a living, and their time is valuable.

But they showed up, and played good golf on a good golf course. I can’t ask for anything more than that.

A big word of thanks as well, to my golf show partners who helped encourage me to bring the event back, and help pull it off.

Ron Thomas, who is the most well known, and well liked amatuer player in the state of Maryland. Ron’s tireless evangelism about the Potomac Cup to players he sees at section events, is simply priceless. He’s also a fine player, and a thoughtful captain.

Jon Guhl, who is the Middle Atlantic section’s PGA executive director, works a million events all over the place. He took time out to do this event, full uniform and slow-play badge!, for no pay other than a few cokes and a bag of chips. Jon’s presence, gives the Potomac Cup a level of legitimacy that cannot be purchased at any price.

And my guy John Ronis, Director of Instruction at Woodmont CC and “teacher to the stars” who teamed with me for a not-at-all-terrible 1-under par 70. John carried me through the first 7 holes, and made many clutch putts to save par. He then “took a golf nap” for a few holes – as we all do – but remained focused enough to bang in some putts whenever needed!

Thanks to Jeff Maynor at UMDGC for having us! Thanks to Brian Patrick Dix their assistant. And thanks to Looper – Caddies on Demand, for providing fore-caddies for each group! What a pleasure it was to have a kid running around, picking up balls we aren’t playing in the format of captain’s choice, tending flags, cleaning balls, raking bunkers!

I’ve never played a scramble that moved so fast. We got around in 4:09 and several groups broke 4 hours flat! Amazing!

Please download the Looper “app” for your phone, and get to know about the service and spread the word. As of now, they are in the process of opening new markets, and adding courses. So if your city, or your favorite course doesn’t have Looper yet…. TELL YOUR PRO!

Now it’s on to the Finals at Potomac Shores GC in Woodbridge, VA in 3 weeks! It’ll be a helluva a fun layout for match-play, and very photogenic to boot!

Thanks to former radio sales colleague Mike Caruso who helped me land that site as our Finals venue, and thanks to Todd Van Meer their head pro, for seeing the value in hosting us and the event!

Best of all, I’ve got some real studs on Team Virginia this year! I’m looking forward to bringing the Cup back to the Commonwealth!