The Live Update thread for the 2020 Morgan Cup is here.
The question is asked, what happens when you take a group of THPers and make them tour players for a journey that leads to a weekend of competition. Where they get the same treatment including bag, clubs, accessories and even apparel scripting? The Morgan Cup happens…DO YOU WANT TO BE A TOUR PLAYER?
You will be able to follow along with the entire event live below and watch something special unfold as 14 THPers become Tour Players for a weekend. There will be some live streaming both here and on Instagram Stories. Make sure you follow along to everything to take it all in and see how your team you picked in the contest is doing. There will be a lot of tech talk, a lot of tour talk and a lot of fun, so jump into the thread and have some fun with the participants.
I didn’t know Jake but I read the things people had to say about him and wish that I had gotten to know him somehow. I thought about him as I read old Cup recaps in the weeks leading up to MC LV. When I saw your pin, I wanted to show that his memory was represented. Thanks for having that pin! #Jakenation.
THP Experiences are not just a bunch of guys getting together for some golf. That is great too, but you don’t need/want us for that. It’s about creating the impossible or improbable and making something the best it can possibly be. This year was trying because we wanted to emphasize safety, without being overbearing. Our goal is to organize and create perfection and then stay out of the way as much as possible and just help bring this amazing weekend to the thousands watching and following.
We lost some participants and added some, venues changed, lodging changed and meals changed. None of which phased the group, which is a kudos to the 14 participants we had in place. The luck of the draw is a unique beast when you have a community like this, but this was one of the best collections of THPers that we have ever had together and you did it the right way, which also happened to be your way. Some will continue being an active participant here and others won’t be around as much, but for this weekend as a whole, this group was just awesome.
To think there is an event where you play an amazing course, have first class lodging, meals and drinks and oh yeah, get an entire bag of clubs of your choosing, apparel scripting, footwear and accessories and still go about it as if its normal. That is what makes this community great. All of it matters, despite downplayed, but the group as a whole matters equally during the course of the weekend.
Each year I say it will be my last doing this one, but you 14 changed my perspective and on Thursday evening the day before the Morgan Cup kicked off, myself and CPG decided that it would be so. Thank you to the participants. Each one of you brought your unique twist that makes this great. Thank you to @OITW and @jdtox I gave you my thoughts on Sunday morning and don’t need to rehash them here. How you two handled this Experience is one of the main reasons it continues. Thank you to @j_sizzle9 and @chefkritter for keeping the forum so engaged. Thank you to @JDax for the live streams and the odds and taking this to another level in participation.
Most importantly, thank you to this community for following along and making it one of the most memorable THP Experiences from that stand point in engagement we have ever had.
Excited about next year, but let’s sit back and cherish what just took place before diving into anything in the future. As I sip my coffee this morning, reading through this thread for the 3rd time and watching the live streams, I am all smiles. Take a bow Morgan Cup Tour Players, you deserve it.
Well said Cody. I say that to all my guys. Win or lose in regards to score we are all winners and if the event returns that is an ever bigger win.
wish i could have seen your hole out
And you get to lead another team in 2021 to make sure it returns in 2022…No pressure!
Live ? at Jdtox in Morgan Cup 2095
Thanks for taking us all along for the ride and doing an amazing job of updating/sharing the experience as best you could. It took me forever to catch up but this thread was AWESOME! Well done gentlemen.
Will your swing is flawless. It is the poster child for the thinking of "slow and steady". A lot of people could have a change of thought, myself included, because so many people think you need to have a fast backswing but yours is slow and steady and you smash it!
Thanks! I can’t wait to watch your golf journey. Only see good positive things from you. Your swing looks good and with your attitude, the sky is the limit!
Thanks for the kind words and not at all. I’ve been open about my sobriety for a long time. I don’t do it to brag or say look at me but I share it so maybe someone who needs to hear or read about it finds someone to talk to. Perhaps my experience, strength and hope helps someone who needs it. If I didn’t get sober, I don’t meet my wife who is the most wonderful, kind, gracious and loving person I know. She is my best friend. And, I probably don’t find THP and meet all the fantastic people I have and be a part of the great THP experiences in which I was selected. I’m grateful for you and the rest of my Team Hackers brothers, and my new Team Paradise brothers. It’s worth it in so many ways.
I admire you for all you’ve done and very obvious love you have for your family. It got me in the feels when you shared about missing them. ?
That time on 7 tee in alt shot is my favorite memory of the weekend. Thanks to you and @jdtox and @MarMill8412 for it.
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Look forward to seeing you and guests talking equipment over some cocktails in the Tech Studio! I suppose these work just fine for rum too – @Canadan.
Sold.
If you listen to Off Course tomorrow with @Canadan you will know how funny this is.
Just remember Wobbly Caucasion.
My match was over. Being first group off and getting closed out early afforded me and @OITW to leave our cartners and go ride around and check on the rest of our team matches. I felt bad leaving @ToddJ027b to ride with @baylrballa because there might not be anything more weird than playing a match against your opponent and riding in the cart with him haha. Plus that dynamic of being with your teammate and suddenly he is gone is weird one. Next year I don’t know that I would do that again. I rode back to Todd after they played a few holes to make sure he was ok and all he said was, I’m good, I’ve got this go do what you need to do. That was all I needed to hear and went back to check on some other guys.
Having lost my match or at least the fashion in which I did was tough personally but I had faith that my team would get it done. @LittleRat had closed out his match on that same hole I lost on and we only needed 2 more points. I kept looking at the scoreboard while riding around and it was getting tense. @oumagic had lost his lead but Todd was still 2 up and @KY Golfer had battled back to AS after being 4 down. Lastly @vdubtx had a 1up lead in his match vs @maxw72 at that time. I had even mentioned to @JB and OITW how cool it would be if Tony and Max as the higher handicaps in the event were the deciding match.
Todd closed out Cody on hole 17 and we now needed only 1 point to secure the win. With several matches still out there..we weren’t sure what was going on in the @oumagic @Parrot match on 17 when we started driving up. After they walked off the green we could see them turn around and start driving back to us…thats when I knew..we just won the Morgan Cup!! I didn’t know what to feel. I was excited for the guys I wanted to tell everyone but I didn’t want to be a jerk about it. I experienced that feeling last year and I know its deflating knowing your match wasn’t over but the event was…
Everyone ended up leaving the course and we headed back, so many feelings flooding through my brain. This was different, this was a team that I led my way and we did it! We took our clubs back to the car like it was a normal round that ended and casually strolled back to the patio. Thats when it hit me! We were the champs! I was so happy for the guys they had fought hard and respectfully all weekend. There were a few speeches, congratulations by all the Hackers team along with everyone else and we grabbed a few drinks to celebrate.
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This is where my team gave me a Captains gift of that awesome blue Vessel stand bag! I was blown away that thing is sweeeet! Funny though @LittleRat said they weren’t giving it to me unless we won which is why they waited until Sunday ? We had an open discussion with Jose & Yags, which was awesome but NONE of which can be repeated!! Some had to leave right away, some of us went to Jack in the Box for some animal style nourishment, some others up at the MGM for a few more food and drink before it was all over. The best weekend of golf and fun was coming to an end.
Thanks to @e1iterate for letting me use your hotel shower and change clothes before heading out to MGM.
Thanks to @KY Golfer, @oumagic, @MarMill8412 letting me crash on your couch Sunday night. I really had planned on just gambling the night awat and sleeping on the plane but turns out I was completely exhausted haha. Turns out that was a good choice but I still only made it to the airport with 30 mins to spare whoops ? everything turned out though. I literally had to RUN to my gate to make the plane BUT I made it and all bags arrived safely even though they made it seem like they wouldn’t when I checked in.
One last recap to come…
Post round where many had changed from golf shoes.
…and assume I am looking at myself in video while making this statement… What a freaking forehead. ?
A few people bought tennis shoes to match their golf shoes. (Or maybe that was just me)
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One of us went simpler (and cheaper. Too many Cloudspun shirts and pullovers will lay a hurting on a credit card).
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I dig that classic Puma look!
Not on me you don’t
Your Wednesday night belt game was strong as well.
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I was planning on chatting with you after I got out of the shower that night and you were passed out on the couch with the tv on. I should have taken a picture but I was ready to pass out too!
Thank you guys, all of you guys for making my job that much easier. I know we said we don’t say we’re sorry. But the only thing I’m sorry for is not getting you guys the victory you deserved and feeling the joy of a Morgan Cup victory.
@Parrot, Rusty, the Hacker who kept me company the most when we had our voice chats. So glad you were chosen for our team. It has been great getting to know you in the short amount of time. I think out of all of us you were the most excited to get there and get the golf on, as you were in such a rush to get out of the airport, you grabbed your clubs, but forgot the luggage , it was fun watching you go all in on the Puma apparel in the build up, seeing you unbox all the SWAG you picked up and smiling in the pics was so much fun. Really glad we got to share the cart together for the back 9 during the practice round, I tried to keep it light and fun. Knowing the injuries you’ve overcome to get your swing where it is, is incredible. I will definitely take you up on your invite to MS as it is a state I haven’t had the opportunity to to visit. You have an amazing wife who is taking you to the US Open next year, make sure you take Cindy on a well deserved beach vacation.
@baylrballa Cody, my Sunday Cartner and the biggest smartass on team hackers – he’s a Dr. so it’s true lol and owner of the ? balls, you were also the owner of the best shoe/shock scripting the entire weekend with the rise up shoes and matching sock game! You also weren’t afraid to chirp your opponent even when you were down which was hilarious. I also know that you are probably the biggest Baylor Sports fan on the planet, but I was fully unprepared for the Baylor scripting when we met on Friday LOL. One of the funnier moments for me when we played Sunday was when you pulled your drive left on 6 and I was like uh oh and you shrugged it off and said "I’ve been there the other two days, it’s fine" then we got up there and you said "oh, this is further left than I’ve been ). I appreciate you for also making sure I always had a drink in my hand during the weekend as well. My favorite takeaway from the weekend with you is Sunday on the patio you looking around and just saying, wow this is a THP experience and it’s coming back next year and just seeing you smile and soak it in.
@maxw72 the star of the Alt Shot LiveStream! Our guy Maxy. Glad all the coke you consumed in Vegas didn’t have an adverse affect on you . Was so great getting to know this guy, I got to spend most of the weekend with him as he came in early (wed) with a few of the others. One thing you need to know about Max, unlike most people who aren’t morning people, this guy doesn’t even need coffee, on our way over to Pauite for some extra rounds he was dropping zingers left and right – also some very insightful stories – what’s said in the minivan stays in the minivan though. I know our getting to know each other was compressed compared to a small number of the team, but your inquisitive nature was fantastic for the chat as well as your excitement for the even in the buildup. I know it was tough for you to get away from the fam for a few days, but I’m glad you did. Really excited to see how your passion for the game increased from the event, and I’m excited to see where your journey in golf takes you, I think a couple tweaks here and there and you’ll be well on your way to being a better player. I know it wasn’t easy being away from Logan and Miranda, but I’m glad you got to share the weekend with us.
@H8tobogie – my guy Dade, funny story last year when I did the Morgan Cup contest he was the winner, so he definitely had a solid foundation of SWAG when got picked this year. He even rocked the belt I sent him for one of the rounds! I never called him this to his face (not crazy like JB) but he would have to be our gentle giant lol. When you say you wouldn’t want to run into him in a dark alley, 100% correct, but I’m glad he came into the sketchy 7-11 with me when we needed to grabs some snacks and water. He’s also the owner of probably best Hacker shot I actually witnessed with my eyes (not heard ha) when he stuffed the iron in on 18 to win the match for hackers during shamble – hell of a golf shot dude, I had all of the faith in you guys. Glad we got to spend the first 9 holes of the practice round together, I know you weren’t the happiest with your play, but just shooting the **** and having a good time was so much fun and a great way to ease into the competition. I know we had some convos about other things non golf related, and I’m just so glad that this event still took place and we were both able to be a part of it.
@e1iterate My shamble cartner! We ran into a buzzsaw on Saturday, but we had fun doing it! LOL you had a front row seat to @LittleRat beating off in the woods! Mike and I met many moons ago at PGA National for another THP event, and have bantered on the forum, however never had the opportunity to tee it up until this past weekend, which I’m glad we did. I appreciate you for being a sounding board during the process and being available with any opinion for any thoughts that I had. I also appreciate you for taking my trash talking in the buildup, knowing you could handle it. I know it wasn’t easy for you to be away from Xander Atlas and Jennfier for the first time, but you handled it like the champ that you are. Looking forward to the next time we get to tee it up buddy, I’ll definitely see you in the Carolinas in the next couple of years for sure.
@Jmk202 aka Jake, our OL Wonder and my Alt Shot partner. We had more time getting to know each other than we did most of our other teammates, seeing how much you bought in and improved with the OL was outstanding! It’s great to see people embrace and go with all of the different fantastic options that Cobra/Puma offers! I still can’t remember when I put my 7i in your bag during Alt Shot, but thanks for sending it back haha. It was also great seeing how much Gabby bought in and embrace the Cobra/Puma great, I think we would have won if the two of you had swapped spots and you stayed home to vacuum . We had blast Saturday afternoon, maybe not the prolonged amount of time in the bush, but you and I pushed it 9 after being 3 down, hell of a script flip. Definitely going to keep following your progress with OL and your game, I know with how competitive you are you’ll be down to single digits in no time. Looking forward to a Texas trip and getting the band back together for sure.
Before I get to the smartest guy in golf.
I have to mention @Canadan I would not have been the Captain that I was for the six guys above, without Dan’s influence the past two years. Him and I have had 100s of conversations over that time frame (most of them influenced by rum ). I know how hard it was for him, because of the kind of guy he is and how his word is his bond. Just want to say I appreciate you D and thanks for everything.
@Master Yagley could there be a nicer assassin in golf!? The only member of team Hackers to run the table for the weekend and go 3-0! He has also been and even moreso this year such a fantastic asset to the team, as Captain he was an incredible resource for me and the literature this man has on Match Play is encyclopedic. From a product standpoint, he was always there to answer any of the team’s questions and as a few of my guys can attest he came through with the equipment! But the best part is how he such a great personality on the team, meshing and finding common ground with everyone, he’s a golf industry rockstar, but when you talk to him, it’s like you’ve been buddies forever. One of the best. I have two funny memories of the weekend, one I think he may still be steamed me for, there was an older gentleman who had accosted him at the course and I missed his social cues of come rescue me and left him standing chatting with that guy for probably 15 minutes past the ideal time . The other story was our match with Jdtox and littlerat on Thursday. We were catching up on life and everything but he was breaking down the swing move he had been working on to help him out and kept saying it was little thing and that it was coming, and when he got it he would kick it into another gear, lo and behold it he did, I watch him go from hitting some loose fades/slices to these higher towering cuts, like who does THAT!? Mid round kicks it into a whole ‘nother gear like that. The Master, that’s who! Always a pleasure Yags, I’ll have to get out to Cali and tee it up with you and Jos again. Positive thoughts to Hudson, hope he heals up quickly.
Cokes right?
I had a plan of what I wanted to do and stuck to it in the practice round with @jdtox , @MarMill8412 , and @KY Golfer . It worked out well.
By the 5th hole of the round, I had hit as many greens (4) as I had in my last 50 holes. I ended up with 10/14 fairways hit and 9 GIRs, and feeling a lot more confident heading into Cup play.
I say all this because what happened on Saturday was not anything I could’ve imagined in the weeks leading up.
@ToddJ027b and I teamed up for the shamble, and turned out to be a pretty good team. We had a simple plan off the tee, and executed it. I kept hitting fairways so he could keep dropping bombs. Shambles are a lot easier when your second shot is always from the short grass.
We jumped ahead early, winning 3 of the first 4 holes on the strength of Todd’s birdie on 3 and my chip-in eagle on 4.
I watched that and thought it was great. Every time they asked @Canadan about a match, I thought he was going to go into a “da hackers” skit
lmao I was trying SO hard to be biased up until the last couple! SO much fun.
Sorry for the late response Gary.
Yes there were plenty of lies in the rough that was penal – Hole 6 probably had the worst of hit – almost didn’t get a fairway wood through ir on Alt Shot and for the pic you quoted, my wedge wasnt enough probably needed additional club
the other thing with the thick rough was having to aim further left as it definitely opened the face
Ha! You had some other things going on. That rough looked tough!
I am reliving that thread this morning. I’m still early in the thread, but a couple of posts still give me goose bumps.
I’m only on page 25…
Well, here’s the jinx that bit me on 15 Sunday. ???
Absolute banger of a post right there dude, love every word
Lots of good golf was played last weekend. vdubtx and I were at 37 on hole 8 in alt shot and were closed out because Max and Yagley were at 35. They were even par through 4 holes and we were 3 down and trying not to head to the clubhouse too early. I had the same thing happen with you and Yags in the morning; you were 3 under at the turn and we were 3 down. :surrender:
We started as slow as possible and somehow managed to get to hole 9 with arguably the two hottest players on TP, in Jose and Todd. If Jose didn’t make that 15 foot par putt on no 7, we actually had a chance to halve. I feel pretty good about that except my last putt That one still bothers me!
no doubt, over thought the first couple holes rather than just playing them and fell behind. Still can’t believe I talked myself into hitting an iron off the tee on #4. :stickbeat:
Even with that I just knew your putt on #9 was going to fall for the comeback, but wasn’t meant to be. ????
Your shot out of the desert to even give me that putt was AMAZING! You’re welcome for the opportunity to hit such a great shot!
So naturally, I hit as many greens (4) in five holes that day as I had in my last 50 at home. I finished with 10/14 fairways hit, 9 GIRs, and a lot more confidence for the weekend. If not for 2 penalties and 38 putts (!), I may have set a personal best.
The greens messed with my head all weekend. My course’s greens are lucky to be fully grass covered and have no subtle breaks like these. I need to improve my green reading, a lot.
@ToddJ027b and I faced @Parrot and @maxw72 in the shamble. We had a simple plan: I’d find the fairway first and let Todd bomb away. It worked.
We jumped in front early, 3 up thru 4 thanks to Todd’s birdie on 3 and my chip-in eagle on 4. We added another on 6 and I finally made a putt with some length for birdie on 9, to make the turn at 5 up.
Parrot and Max weren’t playing poorly, at all. My card showed them with net 37 on the front. Todd and I just minimized mistakes on the way to a 32 (34 and 36 (net 35), respectively).
We took another at 10 to go 6 up, but left the door opened briefly on 11. This was the first hole where both of us missed the green, and then left the third shots off the green, as well. No problem, I’ll just chip in again, this time for a par to halve the hole, which left poor Parrot audibly disgusted.
I hadn’t chipped in all year, and now I’d done it twice in 11 holes. :confused2:
Parrot was unaffected, as he threw a dart on 12 within 5 feet. Best shot I saw all weekend. Fortunately for us, Hackers couldn’t convert the birdie.
We pushed 12 and 13 to win the match.
Shambles are a lot easier when you’re always playing your second shot from the short grass. We were 10/10 in fairways hit for the round.