DB12 PAIRINGS AND MATCHES
SATURDAY MATCHES
Howell/S. LaTour vs Cawdrey/Duffy
Howell and LaTour have been teaming up at everything from stickball to tennis since the mid 1980s. Their latest opponent will be a couple of gritty LAFD vets who are looking to avenge poor results in recent years. This one might come down to how well LaTour and Cawdrey can each control their right to left ball flight off the tee. Whoever can keep their power draw from becoming a duck hook should give his team the edge by putting Howell and Duffy in position to dial in their irons.
LINE: Howell/LaTour (DUFFERS) -1.5
Fleming/Mariani vs Thuman/Mann
Fleming can bomb it off the tee but reportedly hasn't spent much time on the course since going 2-0 last year. If he can keep it in the fairway and set up Mariani for his steady short iron game then the Duffer pairing may be dangerous. On the other side, Thuman needs to find a steady rhythm off the tee so the powerful but erratic Mann can try to unleash some bombs of his own. This match might come down to who can make the most putts, and Thuman may be the most dangerous among this foursome with the flat stick.
LINE: Thuman/Mann (BLUFFERS) -0.5
Olson/Tarka vs Ollivier/Johnson
DB rookie Josh Olson will need to develop quick chemistry with his partner to put up a fight against the Bluffer pairing that delivered a clutch day one victory last year. Can Tarka contribute early with the driver to take the pressure off the rookie? Will Ollivier and Johnson harness their balky putters? These questions leave oddsmakers scratching their heads but at the end of the day they are siding with experience and the momentum of Greg "4 foot" Johnson's clutch performance a year ago.
LINE: Ollivier/Johnson (BLUFFERS) -1
Frazier/Montoya vs Girod/Orr
The Girod/Orr team is looking to add another win to their impressive DB resume but Frazier's steady all-around game is a force to be reckoned with as long as his blood pressure doesn't boil in the desert heat. Rookie Abe Montoya is the wildcard in this group and the match may come down to how well he handles the cauldron of DB match play. If Girod can keep his drives in the fairway and his partner focused for 5 hours then the Bluffer pairing will be tough to beat.
LINE: PICKEM
Hobbs/Schultz vs Brookman/Rosenthal
This foursome has squared off at the beer pong table for years and should bring that same intensity to the golf course. The Hobbs/Schultz pairing promises to be full of piss and vinegar but is always one bad hole from combustion. Brookman and Rosenthal are a battle tested duo that is greater than the sum of their individual parts. Mark this one down for featured group treatment from the broadcast crew and look for a clutch putt down the stretch to be the difference.
LINE: Hobbs/Schultz (DUFFERS) -1
Solaas/Burke vs Turner/Pierro
Solaas and Burke put their 3-0 career pairing mark on the line against a duo that has found chemistry of their own in recent years over their love for extra medium shirts and fine cigars. Experts expect Solaas and Turner to cancel each other out so this could come down to who can find more consistency from their partner and establish an early lead. Burke's wife is due with their 3rd child between now and tourney day so keep an eye on how this affects his preparation and mindset.
LINE: Solaas/Burke (DUFFERS) -0.5
Schuh/J. LaTour vs Cid/M. Rosenthal
18 holes wasn't enough to decide this match a year ago, and the rematch should be another dog fight. Schuh and LaTour bring their laid back Wisconsin approach to the festivities that suits them well when the heat rises. Meanwhile, Cid and Rosenthal seem to have found a formula that makes them a tough out in the scramble format but their captain is said to be concerned about their preparation coming into this year so rust could be an issue.
LINE: Schuh/LaTour (DUFFERS) -1
Miller/Pearson vs White/Dunham
Miller and Pearson earned a point for team Duffer in their only previous attempt back in 2012 and their captain is expecting them to rekindle the magic as long as Sailor Jerry is kept in check as the unofficial third member. Veteran Jason White and his barefoot antics will be asked to lead the way with his rookie partner who has been seen regularly on the range well after dark at YLCC in preparation for his tournament debut.
LINE: White/Dunham (BLUFFERS) -1
Plahy/Pieper vs M. Sailhamer/Timmins
Piepers outfit is sure to be inspiring as he goes for his third straight Fickie Rowler award, but the Duffer pairing will need to develop instant chemistry and find enough fairways for Plahy's stellar iron play and putting to lead to some birdies. Captain Bluffer is calling on a rookie of his own to step up and make an immediate impact but both players will need some Coors Light aiming oil to lube up some rusty swings that haven't seen much action of late.
LINE: PICKEM
J. Sailhamer/Kalma vs Price/Young
Like a true leader, the Duffer captain is taking it upon himself to square off vs team Bluffer's low handicap player, and he's tabbed a trusted partner to help take on the challenge. Sailhamer and Kalma have a couple of SCGA team play events under their belt and are relying on chemistry and experience to carry the day. Rookie Kevin Price sports a dynamic all-around game and shouldn't be intimidated by the moment when paired with a steady veteran presence like Young, who brings a 4-1-1 career record to the party.
LINE: Price/Young (BLUFFERS) -1
SUNDAY MATCHES
S. LaTour/J. LaTour vs Pierro/Timmins
The LaTour boys have been a steady Sunday pairing since 2009, and the father-son bond should give them the team chemistry edge over their opponents who will be teamed up for the first time. Jac LaTour has been working hard on his game, but how will the "experienced" vet's body and swing hold up on the second day of golf? Jason Timmins Sunday condition is also a wildcard, as he has yet to experience the challenge of the early morning Sunday tee time at Duffers & Bluffers.
LINE: LaTour/LaTour (DUFFERS) -0.5
Tarka/Pieper vs Orr/M. Rosenthal
This match was a rock fight last year, and after 18 holes both teams were equally bloodied in earning a half point for their side. Pars should be good enough to win a hole in this match, and whichever team can scratch and claw their way to the most pars should come away with a full point this year. Look for this match to go a long way in deciding the destiny of the cup. Matt Pieper has been known to drain a long putt every now and then in his D&B career, and the Duffers are hoping he can find the magic again this year.
LINE: PICKEM
Schuh/Montoya vs Mann/Johnson
Mike Mann's driver may be the key to this match as he should have a big distance advantage if he can keep it in the fairway. But don't sleep on Ken Schuh, who has quietly earned 4 1/2 points with a 3-0-3 undefeated record since joining team Duffer in 2013. Abe Montoya will have to quickly figure out the tricks to a successful Sunday performance against a couple of seasoned vets who teamed up on Sunday back in 2011.
LINE: PICKEM
Plahy/pearson vs girod/B. Rosenthal
Give the advantage off the tee to the Bluffer pairing in this one, but the Duffer duo should turn the tables and have the advantage with the flat sticks. Girod's 4-2-1 career Sunday record bodes well and he teamed with Rosenthal for a Sunday win in 2011. Plahy and Pearson have some familiarity from their Sons of St. Andrews brotherhood, but will need strong cohesion as they battle opponents that have known each other since the 80s.
LINE: PICKEM
olson/hobbs vs turner/dunham
Neither of these pairings has any history together, leaving the oddsmakers unsure of what to expect. Some pundits believe Rod Turner has the highest ceiling amongst the four when his "A" game is on, yet he has yet to post a full point on a Sunday in his brief D&B career so it could come down to which RT shows up. Brett Hobbs, the other veteran amongst the group has also struggled on Sundays going 0-2-1 so perhaps one of the rookies will end up being the difference maker come Sunday afternoon.
LINE: TURNER/DUNHAM (BLUFFERS) -0.5
miller/burke vs brookman/young
Mark Miller holds the distinction of being the only player in D&B history to have suited up for both sides, and perhaps that emotional confusion is partly to blame for his less than stellar career record considering he has a reliable all-around game. Burke should be a comfortable partner and promises to keep things loose assuming he doesn't go AWOL Saturday night as he's been known to do. On the other side, few players have improved more since the inception of D&B than Dave Brookman, and he and DY should form a formidable partnership if they can avoid blowing up on the same hole.
LINE: PICKEM
fleming/kalma vs thuman/white
Fleming and Kalma seemed destined to be "partners" of one kind or another, and sure enough they delivered a key Sunday point in their first attempt last year. They will be called on again against the "Crash Test Dummies" tandem that has found plenty of success themselves in recent years. Both teams will rely on one guy off the tee and the other on the greens, so whichever tandem can hit more solid second shots should come home with a point.
LINE: PICKEM
j. Sailhamer/howell vs ollivier/cid
The last time these four golfers teed it up together the venue was Pebble Beach Golf Links so the only possible reunion worthy of that memory is a Sunday D&B showdown. Ollivier's ball striking should set the pace in this match, but Sailhamer and Howell have teamed up to dominate in just about everything they have tried together over the past 30 years. Professor Cid may be the difference maker in this match and he will need to find the touch with his putter to help deliver a Bluffer point.
LINE: SAILHAMER/HOWELL (DUFFERS) -0.5
solaas/mariani vs price/duffy
Kevin Price was recruited to team Bluffer for this match in mind, and he will be asked to become the Solaas stopper and help the Bluffers hoist the cup for the first time since Solaas debuted for the Duffers back in 2013. Mariani can be especially dangerous with his short iron play so Duffy will need to be prepared to contribute lest the pressure becomes too much for his talented rookie partner.
LINE: PRICE/DUFFY (BLUFFERS) -1
Frazier/Schultz vs M. Sailhamer/Cawdrey
Mike Sailhamer was a dominant Sunday force in the early days of D&B, yet recent years have not been as kind to the Duffer captain. He will try to right the ship with Jeff Cawdrey, a salty vet who takes no prisoners but has also seen his record take a hit in recent years. Frazier and Schultz are both known for their tenacious intensity so this one could end up with some fireworks if any controversial rulings are needed. Note to the television coverage personnel, keep the boom mics at a safe distance and one finger on the bleep button.
LINE: PICKEM
