SESSION ONE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER SECOND
ALTERNATE SHOT
Day one of the 2021 Cupp Cup was an absolutely gorgeous autumnal day. The sun was shining and lots of golf would be played. For the first time in the history of the event, alternate shot was the format that would be played first. Historically, the Wessers have had the edge in this style. Would this trend continue with it a morning session?
The Wessers did, in fact, jump out to a hot start. Veterans Solon and Waters guided rookies Losowski and Kahler through their first matches and to their first victories. Thankfully for the Dizzers, the final two matches went their way. Seifert & Krol as well as Purrington & Cupp Cup rookie Paul Steates were victorious. Through the morning matches, the Wessers led by a score of 3.5 to 2.5.
Match #1 – Solon & Losowski versus Carlson & Johnson
Solon & Losowski, 3&2
Match #2 – Waters & Kahler versus Morat & Artigiani
Waters & Kahler, 2 up
Match #3 – Gifford & Taylor versus Fay & Caldwell
Tied
Match #4 – Lloyd & Haberer versus O’Connor & Harvey
Lloyd & Haberer, 3&1
Match #5 – Pacicca & Martin versus Seifert & Krol
Seifert & Krol, 3&2
Match #6 – Powonsky & Chlebus versus Purrington & Steates
Purrington & Steates, 2 up
SESSION TWO
SATURDAY, OCTOBER SECOND
BEST BALL
Best ball was the format for the afternoon with matches going off of both #1 and #10 tees. Purrington and Seifert each got their second wins of the weekend with a 3&2 win over Solon & Waters. BK made a clutch putt on the 18th to secure a half point for the Dizzers in Match 8. Tayls and Kahler beat some ass in their match as they posted a quick 7&5 win over Harvey and Artigiani.
When the final putt was holed and the points added, another Cupp Cup first was upon us. Never before had the score been tied 6-6 going into the Sunday singles matches. The Cup is known for its tight finishes and it looked like yet another one was inevitable.
Match #7 – Solon & Waters versus Purrington & Seifert
Purrington & Seifert, 3&2
Match #8 – Martin & Haberer versus Krol & Steates
Tied
Match #9 – Powonsky & Pacicca versus O’Connor & Carlson
O’Connor & Carlson, 1 up
Match #10 – Taylor & Kahler versus Harvey & Artigiani
Taylor & Kahler, 7&5
Match #11 – Lloyd & Gifford versus Morat & Fay
Lloyd & Gifford, 3&1
Match #12 – Chlebus & Losowski versus Caldwell & Johnson
Caldwell & Johnson, 4&3
SESSION THREE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER THIRD
SINGLES
This year’s singles match selection process was brand new. No longer would the captains create the matchups while tucked away in the ladies locker room. This time, a full on public draft process was unveiled. The teams would alternate selections and trips to the microphone. This created some fun drama and a lot of intriguing matches.
Through the first five matches of the day, the Dizzers had the lead at 9.5 to 7.5. This did not last. The Wessers shocked the world by taking 6.5 of the final seven points, and most of the matches weren’t close.
Jeff Gifford, 3-0, took home MVP honors. He made a BIG putt on 18 to close the door on Erik Carlson, clinching the cup for the Wessers.
Congratulations to the Wesley Wessers, winners of the 2021 Cupp Cup, 14 to 10!
Match #13 – Pacicca versus Fay
Tied
Match #14 – Taylor versus Caldwell
Taylor, 1 up
Match #15 – Waters versus O’Connor
O’Connor, 4&3
Match #16 – Kahler versus Krol
Krol, 4&2
Match #17 – Lloyd verus Seifert
Seifert, 1 up
Match #18 – Haberer versus Harvey
Haberer, 7&5
Match #19 – Solon versus Morat
Solon, 7&6
Match #20 – Losowski versus Johnson
Losowski, 5&4
Match #21 – Gifford versus Carlson
Gifford, 1 up
Match #22 – Martin versus Artigiani
Martin, 7&6
Match #23 – Powonsky versus Purrington
Tied
Match #24 – Chlebus versus Steates
Chlebus, retirement
WESLEY WESSERS LETTER GRADES
Captain Wesley Cupp, B
Grading yourself is never an easy task. I am excited about our rookies as they performed nicely in their debuts. I will savor the win and have already begun preparing for 2022. If only I were as optimistic about my craps game…
Ass. Cap. Bob Pawlak, A
My pal Bob was once again a great help this weekend. He’s always good for a strong pre-game speech and keeps the team loose on the course. He brings a nice touch to the event that cannot be replicated.
It is too bad Bob had to drive out to the lovely town of Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday afternoon and miss the Cup clinching Sunday afternoon session. I guess that is the price you pay when you are a workaholic. Try to be a shitty employee next year, would ya, Bob?
Ass. Cap. Brittany Harvey, A+
Who cares if she just gave birth?? Brittany and her new surname answered the call of duty and supported the Wes troops again. Please note her sterling letter grade was due to the fact that little Peyton was proudly wearing Wes colors on the weekend. Noted!!
Joshua Solon, B–
Fresh off of his first club championship, Josh Solon strutted into the 2021 Cupp Cup. He had a solid week, going 2-1. His struggles with buddy Brad Waters in best ball is a bit head scratching, however. It has been two years in a row that this headline grabbing duo has come up short. I guess it is time for Captain Wes to reshuffle. Please note that he was docked a half letter grade for requesting a cruise control match for Sunday.
Bradley Waters, C+ B-
Brad wasn’t able to secure a kitchen pass for Friday night, couldn’t win with Josh for the second year in a row in best ball, and lost his rematch with O’Connor on Sunday. It wasn’t Brad’s best weekend but he at least grabbed one full point with rookie Jake Kahler in the opening session.
Update: I failed to mention that Brad made a stellar eagle on #11 on Saturday. That feat was mighty impressive and shouldn’t be forgotten. I’m bumping him up to a B-.
Mark Powonsky, Golf C, Party Host A
Spank could only come up with a half point this weekend thanks to a face saving tie with JR Purrington in the singles. His real contribution was getting the party started Sunday afternoon. He had our elder statesmen speaking foreign tongue in no time.
Mark Lloyd, B+
Mark, looking at the team consideration of taking young draft picks, did offer to step down and not play this year. I thought it quite noble and selfless. That being said, experience pays in this event and Mark thankfully said yes when asked to tee it up. He went 2-1, and nearly swept the weekend. He made a big run late on Seifert to give him a good scare but just ran out of holes. Nice playing, sir.
Jeff Gifford, A
MVP! MVP! Jeff won this year’s coveted award by posting a perfect 3-0 and winning the cup clinching match with an emphatic par save on the 18th hole. Let’s hope his Flake to the Lake 2.0 is as short lived as the first version.
Fred Pacicca, C+
My man Freddy had a humbling Saturday going 0-2. You would never know it as Fred is always a perfect gentleman on the course. But the real story of Fred’s weekend was his singles match with octogenarian Dave Fay. Freddy’s HUGE, MASSIVE birdie on 18 to grab a tie with Dave Fay was impressive. It had to feel good getting some revenge on the 18th green ridding himself of some Cupp Cup demons.
Robert Taylor, A-
Tayls posted a very nice 2-0-1 mark this weekend. He had an early Sunday match that would set the momentum for the day. Had he lost and not won, 1 up, I feel the entire tournament would have swayed to the Dizzers favor. Thankfully for the Wessers, he and Freddy held strong on the final hole and got some points on the board early.
Jake Kahler, B+
He started with shy evening outings with his pops but I soon dragged him into the bar and found out my man Jake was a cool dude! We got him into his first Cupp Cup and after Saturday he must have thought this thing was too easy. Jake teamed up with Brad and Tayls to win both team matches; the second to the tune of 7&5. But, reality came in the form of Bryan Krol as Jake suffered his first Cupp Cup defeat on Sunday, 4&2.
John Haberer, A
Habs had a monster weekend going 2-0-1 and gobbling up 2.5 points for the Wessers. And, how about that beat down he put on Harvey on Sunday?? 7&5? Eek. Take it easy, Habs. That man has a wife and kid now. There is no need embarrassing him like that!
Justin Losowski, A
The Big Losowski certainly made a big splash in his Cupp Cup debut. From crushing the karaoke to cans of beer, Justin really pumped up the entertainment value this weekend. His golf was pretty darn good, too! He grabbed two full points with a 2-1 record. In his singles match, Justin treated Rich Johnson like a Blue Light and quickly finished him 5&4. Welcome to the squad, Justin!
Charles Martin, B
WCM had a ho-hum week posting the snoozer line of 1-1-1. Let be known, however, that Chuck dropped an ABSOLUTE HAMMER on Rich Artigiani with a 7&6 ass beating. Oh, and if you hadn’t already heard, Chuck shot 79 at Thendara in the Monday Night League year end.
Editor’s Note: I was not only at Thendara that day, I played with Chuck and witnessed every shot. I feel like the luckiest man on the planet. It is clearly my career highlight.
Mike Chlebus, B Golf, A+ Sunday afternoon
Chlebus had a great performance this year. Of course, I am referring to his post-Sunday round celebration. His group texts of “Erg where am I” and “Mike over and put ttttttttbttt” will go down as some of the greatest quotes in Cupp Cup history.
LAUREN DIZZERS LETTER GRADES
Captain Lauren Cupp, A
Cupp Cup season is tough for Lauren as it is right in the middle of her college season. That being said, she massaged her schedule to attend Friday night and captain on Saturday morning. She enlisted Dizzers legend Tom Peters to take over for her. Although the team couldn’t pull out the W, they had two great captains to play for.
Captain Tom M. Peters, A
Tom is a legend in the Cupp Cup world. He leads the event in most points and has stepped up to captain when called upon. Even while battling health issues Tom answered the bell and took the reigns for Lauren over the weekend. We appreciate all that Tom does and he is a big piece of the club’s fabric. Here’s to Tom gaining strength over the winter and posting a lot of rounds in 2022.
Ass. Cap. Jake Smith, Incomplete
I am still mad at that damn hippy, Josh, for getting married in Vermont on Cupp Cup weekend! He stole Jake and the Terminator, Mike Smith, from this year’s Cupp Cup. Jake, please come back in 2022!!
J. David Fay, B-
There were no poems this year (although if you haven’t heard the unreleased poem for Eric Maya you need to). Dave had an odd record this year, scratching up one point with an 0-1-2 line. His match with Freddy on Sunday was wonderful. Dave was one up going into the last and made a classic e-club special par save to a top pin to force Freddy to make birdie. And would you believe it… Freddy did just that. It was a great match and fittingly ended in a tie.
Ken Caldwell, B-
It is well documented that Ken is one of the most improved players at the club in recent years. He fought bravely to a 1-1-1 record this year but could have been easily 2-1 if a short putt or two fell for him and partner Dave Fay. The two-time MVP has certainly become a pillar on this team.
Dan O’Connor, A-
Dan played some reasonable golf and posted a 2-1 record. He won his rematch with Brad so he had to be pumped. The story for Dan, however, was his prowess on the craps table Friday evening. If the giant killer Bryan Krol hadn’t stepped in to slow Dan down, he might still be rolling the rocks.
Bryan Krol, A-
BK banged home 2.5 points for the Dizzers this weekend. He finished with an exclamation point by dismissing Jake Kahler 4&2 in Sunday singles. Having played some golf with BK this season, I can attest to his improved long game. His consistency is noticeably improved. If he can clean up his short game and convert a few more up and down opportunities, BK could be knocking on the door of the single digit handicap club come 2022.
Mike Seifert (Mr. 3-0), A+
There are two pieces of advice I can offer: 1) Don’t get in a land war in Asia, and 2) DON’T SLEEP ON MIKE SEIFERT! He will lull your ass to sleep on the course and then suddenly, the dude wins the match! He quietly goes about his business and takes care of his golf ball all the way through the round. He tip toed to a perfect 3-0 weekend, capped off with a thrilling singles victory over Mark Lloyd on Sunday. Nice playing, Mike!
Kristopher Harvey, D
It was a winless weekend for Kris this time around. Maybe instead of asking if the range was open he should have actually been on it. But, let’s not be too tough on Kris. He and wife Brittany just welcomed their little girl, Peyton, to the world. And as all of us with little turds know, it is a big change adjusting to the growing the family. I’m sure Kris will get his game back in shape come spring; I’m just wondering when he plans to ask Britt if he can go to Penn National in April.
Anthony Morat, Cupp Cup D-, Charlotte, North Carolina B+
Mo had a tough go of it in his Cupp Cup debut. Without his buddy, Tom Sestito, Mo seemed a bit lost over the weekend and his record showed it; a dreadful 0-3. To make matters worse, he drew club champion Josh Solon in the singles matches. Oof!
BONUS REVIEW! Mo’s performance later that month in Charlotte was quite impressive. Despite a late night Uber episode with some soft Jazz and a heavily tipped driver named Erik, Mo had a strong forty-eight hours.
Rich Johnson, C
Rich is one of those good guys that volunteers quite a bit of time with the local Little League baseball program. Being such a God damn good father and role model does come at a price; your golf game goes to shit. Rich went 1-2 and had a lackluster weekend, earning just the lone point. His quick dismissal on Sunday by Losowski has to have him reconsidering all that volunteer work.
Erik Carlson, B-
Erik has quickly grown into a leader of the Dizzers squad. He put a lot of work in on the putting green leading up to the weekend and although it didn’t bare much fruit, his dedication is appreciated and applauded. Erik has played in his share of tournaments and the fact he realizes the Cupp Cup is something special is a nice endorsement.
Rich Artigiani, D-
We are thankful Rich was able to jump into the Cupp Cup mix by filling in a last minute substitution spot. Unfortunately, the golf wasn’t there as Rich compiled an ugly 0-3 record. To make it worse, his last two matches were lost 7&6 and 7&5. That is way up there on the “Oof Meter.” At least Rich got his uniform dirty in 2021 and can use the experience to put together a stronger campaign in 2022.
Vern Purrington, B+
Even though the Dizzers came up short, JR can’t be too disappointed as he posted a 2-0-1 record. Oh, who am I kidding? Of course he is disappointed. The guy has never smiled on the golf course since… envision Giff saying it… “Moby Dick was a minnow.” Let’s hope JR sheds that defeatist attitude on the links because the man is a riot off of the course.
F. Paul Steates, Karaoke A, Golf Incomplete
Friday night turned into a karaoke bar and Father Paul wasn’t afraid to grab the microphone and sing The Beatle’s rip off of the Beach Boys, “Back in the USSR.” For some strange reason I feel like he’s performed that song a few times prior.
Father Paul started out hot on the golf course, too. He notched a point and a half on Saturday. Both matches going the full eighteen hole distance did him no favors as he ran out of gas on Sunday. A quick retirement on the seventh hole and suddenly his Cupp Cup weekend finished with a whimper.