Course Review - Omni Tucson National... and BT Cuppin' It Up

Gents -

First thing first, hats off to Brandon for taking his D-Cup preparation to a new level.  This week, BT made the trek to Marriott's Shadow Ridge in Palm Springs.  In true D-Cup fashion, he played Round 1, ate some lunch and then headed out for Round 2.  Rumor has it that he walked away from his match with a crisp $20.  Proof below:

Secondly, this is our last preview of courses leading into the D-Cup.  Today, we take a quick look at the Omni Tucson National, which is where we will be playing our 4th and 5th rounds.  

The Catalina course (above) has been the host to more than 30 Tour events and is known for it's 80 sand traps peppered along its layout.  

The Sonoran course (above) was designed by Tom Lehman and is known for both its difficulty as well as its beautiful desert layout in the Santa Catalina mountains.


Two Guys Who Golf - Review of Tucson Omni National

Omni Tucson National: Revered PGA Tour Stop Traditional In Midst of Desert's Untraditional

Omni Tucson National's Catalina and Sonoran golf courses: Two distinct courses, two distinct plays

Lehman's new-school Sonoran Course gives Omni Tucson National more desert bite

The Prize Meister Interview

Gents -

In an effort to ramp up the excitement for the Cup, I'm pleased to report that Prize Meister Weeds has answered the call to be interviewed.

To be fair to Weeds, I had no idea that we're catching him in the middle of a pretty big move, so apologies for giving copious amounts of crap.

Q: The prizes at the Desert Cup are not without controversy... all of which revolve around a certain Adam Sollis.  What's your take on the putter replacement of 2016 or any other scandals?

Comlete BUSH LEAGUE!!! As long as I live, and am invited to the D Cup, and am the official Prize Master, this type of pre-awards ceremony bartering will not be tolerated. In fact, effective immediately I've implemented another new rule.

RULE: "A.S." (Adam Sollis). Under the D Cup official bylaws, "You trade, You're ASS is out!"

Enough said about that...

Q: We have a couple of new Cuppers this year.  Any advice on prizes?

Go BIG, or don't bother coming  back!!! You get ONLY one chance to impress me, so in the words of Uncle Eddie , "You better bring something REAL NICE!" And if you don't know who Uncle Eddie is, that's grounds for impeachment from The Cup.

Q: I've asked this of you before, but what's your favorite prize in D-Cup history?

Anything from Eric Mead! That brother knows how to gift. From hundred dollar bills to Scotty Cameron putters (before they're bartered away by Sollis). That boy us my MVP. It doesn't hurt that Brother Mead is FREAKING LOADED. I've seen his tithing slips.... Damn... He's got front row seats in heaven next to Brother Brigham, Joseph Smith and Larry Miller...

Q: Any regrets being the Supreme Poobah of the Prize Patrol?

Yes... Not having fellow D Cuppers who take me serious. I've had to kick a few sorry asses out of The Cup and I truly regret that. In fact, has anyone asked the question as to WHY Dr. Fisher is not in this years Cup??? His sorry ass is on the bench and he's on Prize Probation for thinking that Viagra would cut it year after year. I have counseled him for years and told him he's got to step up. He's a damn doctor. 

Cuppers Prepping, Plus Golfing with POTUS

Good afternoon, Cuppers, and happy Fourth of July! I hope that this email finds you all well and getting ready for an amazing weekend in Tucson, Arizona.

Well, as neither our Rookies or Prize Meister have answered the call to be interviewed for the D Cup blog, we're sticking with our theme of guys getting ready for the tournament.

Without further ado...

The Old Mill golf course was surely host to a spate of vandalism by these three jokers... The email title from Shummy was "Les Old Mill Menage e Trois," which really begs the question as to what was happening on that fairway along 215.

And as far as prep on the East Coast goes...

This is a round from Bull Run Golf  Club in Haymarket, VA.  While the Old Mill may be home to such auspicious events as the wedding reception of Brandon and Sara Walker, Bull Run was the site of two major Civil War battles.  The first of which was where Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson earned his fame and nickname.  Check out how they made every flag on the green this weekend an American flag.  Very cool...

Hole #2 at Bull Run Golf Club

Lastly, today, I had the chance to play Trump National.  We walked the course, which was 10 miles.  As some of you are fans of the current president, we played a couple of holes alongside him, then ate in the grill while he was there.  Picts below:

The Secret Service Armada with POTUS

The President in the front cart 

#18 at Trump National

Turns out we both like club sandwiches...

The Buzzsaw Taking Prep Rounds Across the Country...

Well Cuppers, we are now within the one month mark for the start of the 2017 Desert Cup!!  I hope each of you are getting in prep rounds... though I hope Team Walker is playing more than the Southers!

One Cupper that is taking things seriously is the Buzzsaw, Matt Fankhauser.  This guy appears to be taking his clubs on business trips to make sure he's in top form.  He are some picts from his recent rounds.  

If you've got photos, send them and I'll post them...

Fank's Kansas Round was held at the Falcon Ridge Golf Club. According, well, to it's own site, "Falcon Ridge Golf Club is nationally recognized as one of the best public golf courses in the Midwest. Located in the southwest suburbs of Kansas City, Falcon Ridge is set among the rolling hills of western Lenexa. Perfectly manicured zoysia tees and fairways lead golfers to some of the best bent grass greens in Kansas City. With beautiful views and unmatched customer service, Falcon Ridge Golf Club offers an unforgettable golf experience for every occasion."

Fank's other round was at the venerable Texas Star Golf Course in Dallas, Texas. The course has been ranked by Golf Digest, the Dallas Morning News, and Travel & Leisure Golf.

Course Preview: The Golf Club at Dove Mountain

Course Preview - The Golf Club at Dove Mountain

Gents, today we are taking a look at Dove Mountain, which is home to the Desert Cup for rounds 2 and 3.  Dove Mountain is actually a combination of three nine-hole courses designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.  The resort was home to the Accenture Match Play, now called the WGC-Cadillac Match Play. Below are some pictures, as well as reviews of the courses we'll be playing.

Video of Dove Mountain
Top Choice in Tucson, Arizona: Sewailo or The Golf Club at Dove Mountain?  - Golf Advisor
The Golf Club at Dove Mountain - Two Guys Who Golf
Tricky Greens Aside, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain... Is Fun - Travel Golf

And... as a sorbet to cleanse the palate...

UFO Sightings Reported at Former PGA Tour Site Outside Tucson - Golf Digest

Cuppers Getting Ready

Good morning, Fellas, from the lovely hamlet of Casablanca, Morocco.  Apologies for slacking on the blog and the lack of content.  Work has not been friendly.

As I stated in my email, one new feature to this year's blog is to show pictures of you all getting ready for this year's weekend in Tucson.  

In the coming weeks, we'll have golf course reviews and some additional interviews for you all to read.  

Without further ado...

Here is a young Woods getting ready for what Bob is calling the future "Fathers vs. Sons" event

Shummy teeing it up at Willow Creek CC

Kitchenaid Sr. PGA Championship

This past week, I was able to attend the Saturday tournament of the Sr.'s largest major at Trump National. It was something else to see John Daly drive the golf ball. We also saw Mark O'Mera, Vijay Singh, Bernard Langer, and some old dude who played at BYU.  

You could pretty much classify the attendees into 4 categories:

1. People wearing "Make America Great Again" Hats
2. People in camo (please note there was a good deal of crossover with group 1)
3. People wearing Loudmouth Golf apparel following John Daly. Fun note - his wife walks the course following him in a matching skirt to his hellacious pants.
4. People like me not exactly knowing what the hell what was going on.  It was like a gallery from Happy Gilmore...

I threw some pictures below:

Looking down at the fairway of 1 and 18 from the clubhouse. 

The 18th green at Trump National with the signature "water feature." Apparently, the Donald doesn't allow the user of the term "Waterfall" ...

Looking up 18 to the clubhouse.

Number 11 at Trump National, which borders the Potomac River

That freakin hair

That backswing

That gut.