FGL DRAFT February 19th

Festivities will begin on Saturday, 2/19 at TopGolf at 5:00. While last year we held the draft remotely from my basement, the prior two years (2019 and 2020) we held the majestic FGL Draft at TopGolf. We will be heading back there again for this inaugural season.

If you been there before for the Draft, you know how it runs. Same set up. Same food. I think it’s even left over from 2020. Ceremonies. Open comments. The Draft. and then pretending to hit some balls.

“They” say the worst of this latest wave of infections will be behind us by 2/1. Of course, they’ve always been wrong but….. You will be required to wear a mask going in and out of TopGolf and if you wonder around the place. And in mid-February, it could be 20 degrees or 60. You just never know.

The PGA is co-sponsoring a European tournament so we’ll add it to our list. It’s the Scotish Open, the week before the traditional British Open (held at St. Andrews this year). Adding the Scotish Open will give us two tournaments the same weekend; those left behind trying to still qualify for The Open as well as a lot of Euros that usually play that tournament anyway. Could affect your strategy!

And finally, the biggest debated issue in the history of the FGL has been draft order. The only thing I’ve I think I’ve figured out is that it sometimes just doesn’t matter. This year is a great example. The Doctor had first pick for 2021………..and he still found himself in last place. The Doctor will pick first. BIg J goes last. The rest of us in the middle!

And yes Dave - you still only get $20!

Another Amazing FGL Season

The 23rd FGL season is in the books. And Big J has won yet another Tommy O. I still marvel at his first round pick of Jordan Spieth. At $1.90, Jordan was the cheapest guy on his team but picked up the most points with 60 Try and figure that one out.

Doug put on an amazing fight to put in 2nd place. Interesting note: if Doug had picked up his original team for this last tournament, he would have finished just 8 points behind Big J. As such, he ends up 28 points back but still ahead of his arch-enemy Kevin.

Al - I’m also lost when I look at the other end of the FGL leaderboard. We came up with this latest draft order a few years ago to help the last place FGL manager have an advantage the next year. But even picking first two years in a row - you still have managed to finish in the basement these past two seasons. How is that possible? When Justin Thomas does nothing all year and Kuchar ends up with -5 points, I guess that’s a problem. And Dave - Jhonattan Vegas was your top scorer. Ouch. Dustin Johnson was horrible and Tiger - well we are still waiting on him.

And in other news - Paul beat Monica. Yep - that’s huge news. No doubt Paul has been telling people at work about this. Lots of Hawaiians have no clue what he’s talking about.

To all FGL Managers - congrats on another successful FGL season. See you in February!

TommyO.jpg

And this is it!!!!!!

Manager Golfers expected to play

Kevin Brooks Koepka,, Abraham Ancer, Peppermint Patty

Big J Joaquin Nieman, Billy Horschel

Doug No one (as of right now)

Commish Ryan Palmer

Jim Chez Reavie,

Laustin Corey Conners,

Paul Tony Finau, Lanto Griffin

B.T.O. Dustin Johnson, Peter Pan,

The Doctor No one

Monica Harris English, Matt Jones

Wow - what an incredible last gasp effort!

Does anyone remember the gutsy effort by Willis Reed in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals?

Willis Reed Returns For Game 7; Knicks Win First Title in 1970 | New York Knicks Greatest Moments - YouTube

Well Doug is attempting the same feat. In an effort to at least lock down 2nd place and hopefully win the Tommy O Award, Doug has fired his ENTIRE team! They’re all gone! This happened so fast, the lockers still show the names of his former players. And a clearly bitter Little Louis was heard muttering to the clubhouse walls, “where were you for me last week Doug?” Crazy stuff! Anyway, Doug’s new team includes:

Louis Oosty, Luke List, Adam Hadwin, Cam Trangale, Sergio and Captain Kirk.

Open Championship answers some FGL questions, confuses others

Big J is clearly on his way to his 975th Tommy O Award this season. Maybe not quite that many but let’s just say “lots”. His guys did enough and certainly Spieth’s 2nd place locked in victory for the Kentucky captain with only two tournaments left.

The Brother’s Bame are in a tight battle for second place. Both squads saw all their guys make the cut - which you’ve just got to have. But Doug’s #1 guy barely held on to make the cut and only scored 2 points for his manager. Meanwhile, Kevin had two guys finish Top 10 to pull him into a second place tie with his arch-enemy.

Your Commissioner, Kevin and Big J all tied for the Major sidebet with 20 points.. Monica and Jim struggled with just 2 points after flying all the way to England.

Late news before the British Open

Jordan Spieth has decided to try some new irons before The Open Championship. Is this the right time? Will it come back to haunt him? Gosh - I only wish the best for him!

Matsuyama hasn’t been able to practice much so he’s sad. The positive COVID that kept him out of the US Open has led him to decide to skip the British Open. It’s just hours before the tournament starts and Doug is beyond words. He doesn’t know what to say to Hideki. Of course, part of that is because he doesn’t speak Japanese. Anyway - good bye Master’s winner. You’ve been fired. In his place is Shane Lowery.

Time to go over the pond. Early morning TV on Golf Channel.

Manager Golfers expected to play

Kevin Brooks Koepka, Abraham Ancer, Jon Rahm, Ppeppermint Patty

Big J Jordan Spieth, Bryson Dechambeau, Joaquin Niemann, Jason Day, Billy Horschel, Jason Kokrak

Doug Xander Schauffele, Paul Casey, Cameron Smith, Sam Burns, Shane Lowry

Jim Patrick Reed, Rory Mcilroy, Chez Reavie, Max Homa, Charley Hoffman

Laustin Tommy Fleetwood Mac, Scottie Scheffler, Jimmy Conners, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Carlos Ortiz

Monica Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Harris English, Matt Jones,

Paul Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris, Russell Henley, Adam Scott, Lanto Griffin

Commish Alex Noren, Brian Harman, Collin Morikawa, Ryan Palmer

B.T.O. Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, C.T. Pan, Jimmy Walker, Fancy Pants

The Doctor Justin Thomas, lil Rickie, Kevin Kisner, Matt Kuchar, Kevin Streelman, Cameron Champ

And yes - I know about Jon Rahm. What a nice guy. Now I’ve got my two Korean players deciding to skip The British to get ready for the Olympics. Yep. Some years it’s just not meant to be.