9th Annual Recap

The Masters may be a tradition like no other, but the Stinzy Spieth Invitational year after year continues to give it a run for its money. As electric as the golf in Spicer is, few things top the players showing up for the Thursday night opening ceremonies. With the field consisting of various players from around the country, it is for many, the first and only time each year they get to see their fellow invitees. The friendly meet n greets turn into trash talking and strategizing, while the Committee quickly kicks off the opening festivities.

Day 1 - Round Robin

After about 5 hours of sleep and a quick 7am range session, 28 golfers approached the #1 tee box at Willows. All eyes were on Mr. Kenpom Adrian Trow, who showcased Rookie jitters like never before, topping his drive just outside the tee box for an iconic “Welcome to the Spieth” moment. Defending Champ/MVP Austin Harrington followed that up with a piercing cut down the right side, showcasing that experience matters at the Spieth. Worth noting, Trow would later redeem himself as a very strong and viable asset for the Iron Giants, but the nerves were in full effect early. And just like that, the 9th Annual Invy had begun. 

The first shout out here goes to Mr. Kenny Devine, who was brought in by the Committee to host the tournament, but due to last minute unforeseen circumstances, was forced to step up and join the Feelin Cocky’s roster. He replaced Jack Kaiser due to ankle injury. Rumor has it King Kais was trying to dunk on someone at Men’s league basketball on Wednesday night…

Team uniforms are always a spectacle at the Invy, and Happy Chillmores Bruins jerseys along with the Fore Gentleman’s tribute to golf in the early 1900’s are worth noting as A+ attire. 

Fridays match-play was dominated early by House Pargaryen (once again a Team Captained by Nick Latzke that was majorly picked to finish last). House P earned 13+ points in back to back rounds to take an early lead. Surprisingly, Feelin Cocky and Have a Day struggled, lowlighted by a record low 5 points scored in a round by Have a Day. 

Meanwhile, despite having 3 Rookies, the Iron Giants were an early force to be reckoned with. History was made, as an insane Spieth record -6 score was posted by Todd & Zilverberg in their final 9-hole match. 

Friday afternoon/evening became the turning point for the Back 9 Bandits, as Captain Jimmy Farrow proved why team chemistry matters, with the Bandits going on a tear to take the #1 seed. Much of their success can be credited to the several full team practices they held in preparation for The Invy. The coaching by Farrow and commitment by the team is truly exemplary, and gives a glimmer into what it takes to be successful at The Spieth. 

After day one, the Bandits and the Pargarions received Byes. The Fore Gentleman received the coveted 3 seed, followed by the 4-7 seeded teams who would battle early Saturday morning to avoid a berth in the Toilet Bowl. The 4-7 seeded teams were the Iron Giants, Happy Chillmore, Have a Day, and Feelin Cocky, respectively. 

Day 2 - Championship Saturday

The aforementioned Feelin Cocky and Have a Day woke up before the sun on Saturday to a rare Minnesotan Hurricane, taking the course in worse weather than the notorious -5° wind chill of SSI 2019. It was flat out miserable weather, the perfect stage for a play-in game. Multi-time champ and MVP Sam Warner did all he could, but it wasn’t enough as Feelin’ Cocky blew a 3-hole lead in the match, and fell to Have a Day. Feelin’ Cocky had entered themselves into the Toilet bowl. Captain Sam Warner was visibly upset and causing a scene in the clubhouse.

Meanwhile, the Iron Giants took down Happy Chillmore on the other side of the bracket, with steady consistent play all around. The Giants punched their ticket to the semi’s. This also set up a Brotherly Captains Toilet Bowl. Fun. In the loser of the Spieth match (Toilet Bowl), Happy Chillmore rallied behind their Spieth experience to get the win in extra holes. It was a nervy and focused match, as no player wants the last place crown, forever cementing their team as the worst team for the 9th Annual Invy. 

Happy Chillmore dedicated their small win to Chubbs (RIP Carl Weahters), a classy move. Feelin Cocky, consisting of Sam Warner, Kevin Sampson, Andrew Shotwell, and Kenny Devine, claimed the notorious Last Place at the Spieth crown. 

Have a Day’s early morning victory set them up for a date with the Fore Gentleman to go to the semis. Although the weather started to clear, their clothes were still drenched head to toe. The fresh Gentlemen took advantage by beating them, in a close fight that came down to the last hole, to move on to the Final Four. 

Semi-Finals: 

In Semis match #1,  the Bandits took on the Iron Giants. Cullen McNeill was starting to have that look in his eye, he wasn’t going to settle for another runner-up this year. This was by no means a one-man show though, as the 2 defending Champs Jimmy Farrow and Cam Posey were also on a mission for a rare Spieth repeat, and Matt Galloway was seeking to get back on top, after winning the cup his first year. This was a team with championship experience across the board, and it showed, as they took down the Giants in a close match to move on to the championship. The Giants had a great run and were a very respectable team at the 9th Invy. 

Meanwhile, championship experience again proved to be the recipe, the Fore Gentleman (with reigning Champs Austin Harrington and Mark LaPointe) made fairly easy work of the 2 seed House Pargaryen. Not only did the Pargarian players come out cold from their 12 hours of REM sleep, but Tanner Haines’ Driver was also not ready to play, as it exploded on his first tee shot. This ended up being symbolism for their match, as Fore Gentleman cruised by with ease in 7 holes. The stage was now set for an Iconic championship between the Fore Gentlemen and the Back 9 Bandits.

The Championship 

An iconic matchup featuring all 4 members of last year’s champs, but this time it was 2 Lindy Luckers on each side. After 2 morning match victories, the Gentlemen were hot and jumped out to an early lead. They put the pressure on the Bandits on hole #3, when Harrington hit an 8-iron to 12-feet and G Boyce drained the birdie putt. The Gents were 2up thru three holes, and it felt as if they were in complete control. Well, as mentioned earlier, Cullen had that look in his eye, and the Cullen and Cam duo rattled off a birdie, eagle, birdie stretch! One of the most impressive three hole stretches in Spieth history. Both players hit some fantastic iron shots and drained a few putts, none bigger than Cullens drip in, 15-foot birdie putt on the 7th hole. All of a sudden, the match was flipped, and the Bandits were 1up with 2 holes to play. 

With 12 carts of inebriated former contestants turned gambling fans surrounding the arduous #8 Oaks, Matt Galloway hit a beautiful 3-wood onto the center of the green, an impressive shot as the hole was playing massively into the wind. A simple two putt from the Galloway-Farrow duo would secure a par for the Bandits. Par was a great score on this long and windy par three, forcing the Gentlemen to do the same in order to extend the match to the 9th and final hole. The Mark-Freddy duo played valiantly all tournament, but they were unable to par the difficult 8th hole. The second Gents pairing had a make-able putt at par to extend the match. MIP Gabe Boyce, missed the putt a touch low, and Harrington lined up an 8-foot par putt, a bender that he’s seen go in thousands of times. It wasn’t meant to be, as it scooted centimeters right of the cup, securing a Bandits victory. 

An emphatic “Let’s go” from the now back-to-back champ Jimmy Farrow echoed through Spicer, and the celebration was on. A well deserved winning team with star power and depth, Cullen McNeill, James Farrow, Cam Posey, and Matt Galloway were crowned champions. The Bandits played an impressive tournament, with incredible golf down the stretch from the entire squad. 

“I tried to tell ‘em” - James Farrow