West Coast Team Thread

[mvmac]

Six Players on each team. West Coast basically means west of the Mississippi. If I missed anyone, single digit handicapper who posts regularly, please let me know by posting here.

@mvmac (Captain), Almost certainly in: @tristanhilton85 , @Golfingdad , @mchepp

Candidates (Updated 5-1-15)

@Bechambo

@SoundandFury

@Big C

@flopster

@Pakoh

@GolfSwine

@shortstop20

@Beachcomber

@kpaulhus

@Yukari

@Club Rat

@atrapasuenos

Outside chance

@k-troop

I'm stealing this bit from Erik's thread,

Tel us a bit about yourself. Share a picture, perhaps. Tell us how old you are (no need to be super specific), tell us about your game, etc.

As you guys know part of the Newport Cup will be choosing teammates that are good guys and all that, so let's start to get to know one another here. Let's talk.

[Big C]

I'll get it started.

My name is Colin, aged 33 from Long Beach, CA.

My golf game is probably best described as erratic, but with a high ceiling. As a 7-9 index for the past year (currently 8.5), I've shot rounds as low as 70 & 73, and as high as 98. A lot of my inconsistency comes from the driver, which can be a schizophrenic club for me. Some days, I'll hit it like a champ, splitting fairways and sniffing 300 yards. Most of the time, however, I'm good for a couple of "WTF?" drives per round. On the muni courses I play, it's usually not a killer, but if you get me on a tight course with OB and hazards, you can generally add 4 shots to my score through virtue of penalties.

My iron play is probably the strength of my game. I'm pretty confident with all of my clubs, PW thru 4 and feel like I can produce a good shot regardless of the lie or the situation. I'm also able to work the ball in both directions with my irons, which can be a real virtue with some of the spots my driver puts me in!

I'd classify my short game as average. When I put in the work to maintain it, I'm pretty decent. That hasn't been the case recently, but will be a focal point for me with a couple big tournaments coming up pretty soon.

Other than that, the only other relevant info is that I've been playing mens club tourneys for about 4 years now, so I've improved my ability to play under pressure. I still wouldn't classify the mental game as a strength, but I'm nowhere near the disaster that I was early in my golf career. I'm proud to say that both of my low rounds above came in men's club events.

I've played with several of the SoCal boys a handful of times already, and would look forward to expanding that pool of friends and acquaintances if given the chance.

[Golfingdad]

My turn ...

My name is Andrew, although most call me Drew.  (Fun fact; family and some who I've known for a really long time call me Andy - which is fine, because I answer to any variation.)  I'm 41 years old, and live in Lake Forest, California.

I came to TST a little over 3 years ago with a renewed passion for golf (after a few years of back issues) and a 12-ish handicap.  Since then, A couple of Golf Evolution traveling clinics, an Aimpoint clinic, a new pitching motion, a new putting stroke, a full set of fitted clubs including an Edel putter, a great new golf book, and dozens upon dozens of gems here on TST, and I've chopped it in half and still am planning on going further down.

My golf strengths are generally avoiding big dumb mistakes (except, like Colin, a wayward drive or two) and keeping the "others" off the card most of the time.  I'm a fairly solid iron player, short game player and putter, but not really excellent in any aspect.  My biggest weakness is getting off the tee.

My real strengths are having fun and making new friends!!  The golf is going to be amazing at this event, but I'm most looking forward to the evening recaps of the west team victories over dinner and a beer. The comma-rod-Erie is gonna shoot through the roof!

And I can't find a good picture of myself, so instead here is a photo from the Old Navy catalog - since that is where my whole wardrobe comes from anyway ...

[iacas]

Drew, your wife appears to be growing a man out of her head.

[mchepp]

My turn...

My name is Michael, I chose Michael over Mike because Mike/Michael is a really popular name for my age group. Most Mike/Michael's go with Mike so I like to go with Michael. I am 36 and I am in the process of moving from the Bay Area to the Portland area (Vancouver to be exact). I have a 4 year old daughter. I work in high tech marketing, mostly until now in semiconductors but now more component manufacturing. If you want to know what I spend all day at work doing, it is on the phone negotiating with my customer. Like a car salesmen. How good at negotiating am I? I would say I lose 80% of the time because they are the customer you know, and the customer is always....whatever. You could look at it another way consider how tough a guy must be to negotiate all day knowing he's only going to win about 20% of the time. That is true bravery, I should get a bumper sticker made saying that.

Anyway, golf...

I have been playing golf for close to 20 years. As of right now I run between a 7 and 4 handicap depending on how much I play. Lately I have switched between a 5 and 6 mostly. I don't really have a strength to my game which also means I don't really have a weakness. My scoring depends heavily if I am hitting my driver where I don't have an impeded shot.

I am looking forward to an event like this. In all honesty the timing is not the best for me this year. With moving and much of the year this year traveling has taken a pretty serious toll on my family. Still I understand that this is such a rare event and such a good chance to meet all of the TST regulars I will try to be sure to be there. Looking through the pictures of the past years looks like it has been a blast so I don't want to miss it.

Here is a picture of me. This was taken by my daughter while I was having some fun doing some funny poses. She did a good job taking pictures. Much better than Drew does....

[Bechambo]

Hey now....

My name is Barrett Chamberlain, age 29, living in Coachella, CA. I have been playing golf casually since I was 13 years old, however, the last two years I became very invested in my game. I now average 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, playing and practicing my golf game. I play competitively, and have won several tournaments on the Golf Channel Am Tour in Palm Springs. My handicap is currently +0.7. I am currently finishing up my BA at University of California, Riverside, and do a little work for my family's farm here in the desert.

I am really excited about playing in this event, and hope I can bulk up my credentials before heading out to Phoenix.

I don't have a current photo; this one is about a year and a half old, but that is still what I look like...so. (I keep my eye's closed when pictures are taken)

[oregongolfguy]

My Name is Michael Wilson.  I am 33 yrs old and contradict my forum name now as I reside in Washington.  I learned how to play golf when I was in high school.  Played sporadically up until about 4yrs ago when I decided that I wanted to try to play more, get better and see how good I could get.  Made some good improvements but maxed out shooting in the high 80's-low 90's.  After becoming more involved in this website I started to get better again.

I joined a men's club for the first time this spring, and will have a true handicap for the first time in my life in a couple days on the next revision.  It is trending at 8 right now.  I feel like my strength on the course is my course management thanks in huge part to LSW.  By biggest weakness like a lot of others have mentioned is driver.  Simple fact is if I put myself in a not favorable position off the tee then bogey or worse is in play and par is unlikely.

I threw my hat into the pot mainly because I love to play golf, and I have gone on group trips put together on the internet in other hobbies of mine with people I had never met before.  These trips without fail have always been extremely fun, and in multiple instances I have met people that I consider close friends to this day.

I am a very laid back, fun loving guy by nature.  Like a lot of us I'm sure I have plenty of stress and pressure in the 9-5 game.  So I prefer to get out and have fun when I'm not working.

[SoundandFury]

What's up guys, my name is Roger Steinbeck.  Just turned 33.  Born in raised in Los Angeles, and still here.  Started playing around with golf clubs when I was a kid and played a bit in high school but never took it anything close to serious.  Probably didn't pick up a club once during college or law school, and then (can't remember why) started playing for reals in 2011.  Like a lot of guys I have spurts of rapid improvement followed by seemingly endless bouts of staying the same or getting worse.  In 2013 I joined a private club, made some greats friends (who are surprisingly for a private club all about my age) and since then I can't remember the last time I went more than 2 days without swinging a golf club.  Over the past year I've been as low as a 9.6 hdcp.  Right now I'm trending at 11.3 after going up to a 12.5 when I decided a couple months ago to fix some significant flaws that I know were keeping me from seeing the improvement I wanted.

If I had to pick a strength in my game it's probably being fairly long off the tee.  I'm a decent iron player, short game is probably average, and putting is either incredible or terrible, depending on whether I've been practicing or not. Current state of my game is ok but getting much better.  Recently shooting low 80's, with my last few 9 hole rounds in the 37-39 range.

I'd love to play on this team because there is nothing in the world more fun than a golf trip with good dudes.  I'm not much of a drinker while I'm playing but I make sure to make up for it after a round.

Here's a pic. I'm the good looking

one in the middle.

[kpaulhus]

Hey guys, I'm Kyle Paulhus and currently live in Northwest, Arkansas. I was born in Tampa, Florida and picked up golf when I turned 18. Spent 5 years in Jacksonville, Florida where I joined a country club and played a lot of golf. I joking TST in 2009 and have been pretty active. I did take a year long haiatus from golf after getting frustrated as a 5 handicap. I spent about 6 months in New Jersey for a new job last year and the golf bug bit me hard again that spring. Now I'm a member of Pinnacle Country club in Rogers, AR where we host the LPGA tour event NWA Open by Proctor & Gamble. I'm currently a 9 handicap but it should be dropping very fast due to some recent low scores. Outside from golf, I'm 27 years old, engaged (Florida wedding in October) have 3 dogs and play ice hockey 3-4 days a week. I sell Frenchs Mustard and Franks RedHot Hot sauce to walmart/ sam's club. I enjoy whiskey and BBQ grilling regularly. I'll have a cigar every now and then. I also don't know what kind of facial hair I'll be rocking in a month from now. Hope I make the team and am looking forward to some golf with you guys.

[Club Rat]

Me with my "game face" ON !!!

Johnny come lately, but damn glad to be on the team.

Hello everyone, I'm from St Lou, living the dream with my dream gal, Julie.

I've reached the golden era of my life, which makes me the "old guy" of the group.

Yes, I'm older than dirt, but make no mistake, I'm in it to win for Team Red

Been playing and luving the game for many years. Also I've been blessed to enjoy it with many.

I played many years in the western states, lived in Colorado and traveled frequently to the desert during winter times.

I've played many great courses, and hope to play many more.

My sweetie and I mainly play at a great Nicklaus course, Winghaven and have been members for 11 years.

I'm active and on the Mens Game committee, play in all clubs competitive events, and generally play everyday of the week whenever weather permits.

I'm an avid hobbyist, I tinker with anything and everything. I enjoy repairing most anything, which makes me a popular guy.

A favorite pastimes was making metal art. I can honestly say, I found out the true meaning of being "a starving artist."

Looking forward to meeting everyone and a great event.

"Let's ROCK & ROLL, and play some golf". Johnny  Rocket