1997 Player Profiles
Country Club of Virginia
Jeff Hudgins
Jeff warmed up for this year's River Cup by playing in the Virginia State Open at Willow Oaks in July. Jeff struck the ball well during his two day stint in the Open but his putter was on holiday. "I only hit the ball 36 times each day," lamented Jeff after missing the cut by one stroke. "Unfortunately, I putted like Will Scott. His putting instructional video from last year has got me all screwed up!"
Ted "Pajama" Chandler
Coming off a stellar MVP performance in 1996 (according to his own press releases, that is), Chandler is hoping to capitalize on that momentum going into this year's event. "Big Mo is on my side," said Pajama at a press conference he recently called. "The fact that I shot a dismal 92 in the mid-summer Tour of Scotland Warm Up event in no way diminishes my stature in the River Cup - I can assure all my legions of fans of that!"
Robert Mitchell, III
RM3 is one of the fastest players at CCV. His backswing is so short he can play out of a phone booth without restricting his swing. "I patterned my swing plane after Jimmy Demaret. I designed it specifically to give myself an advantage in a constricted area," claims Mitchell. "I haven't found a lie yet where my backswing is restricted. But I'm still looking!"
Blake Dennis
The disciplined Citadel grad is back this year after a disappointing - and surprising - loss to WOCC's Paul Sinclair in last year's singles event. "Thank God I am not paired up against that son of a bitch again," says Dennis. "Nothing worse than knowing that whatever happens during the round might show up in print!"
Jack Rogers
Jack is one of four rookies in this year's River Cup lineup. Jim Nelson has been watching the development of Jack's game for several years now and finally decided it was about time to get him into the CCV lineup. "Jack Rogers plays a game with which I am unfamiliar," says Nelson, echoing the famous Bobby Jones' comment on Jack Nicklaus. "Unfortunately, par is a score that Jack is equally unfamiliar with."
Rob Hershey
The Headmaster returns after a three year suspension for unspecified "conduct violations." Like the missing period after the "Dr." on a Dr Pepper can, Rob's absence has strangely evinced little comment in the press. One of only 4 players who have competed in the River Cup without winning a match. But with only one match under his belt, his record is excusable. If Chuck Ditsler is any indication, a win could take years to get in the River Cup.
Will "Brother" Scott
Will has been in negotiation with the Golf Channel since his successful appearance as putting instructor in last year's River Cup Video. Scott is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Dave Pelz with his own series of putting instructionals. The series, tentatively entitled "How to Make a One Foot Putt 75% of the Time," is slated for a fall debut if terms can be worked out.
Jim Nelson
Jim has served as Captain of the CCV squad since he manipulated the overthrow of Rob Leitch in 1993. Jim observed Seve Ballesteros closely during his reign as Captain of this year's European Ryder Cup team. "Seve has a way of bringing out the best in his players that I admire," says Nelson. "Now if I could just find some 'best' in my players to bring out."
Mark Sweeney
Mark is one of the more erratic golfers in the River Cup. His scorecard is typically a hodge podge of 3's, 5's, 7's, and 8's, with no apparent regard for par on any hole. His most notable achievement while a member at Willow Oaks (during his poverty years) was a circuitous par on the par 5 8th hole. Disdaining the architect's view of the hole, Mark elected to play it over the trees right into the 3rd fairway; back across the 8th fairway and two bodies of water to the 17th; thence back over a stand of trees and another body of water to a trap protecting the green; out of the sand; and a one putt for another routine Sweeney par. His route to the hole was subsequently measured at 925 yards. "This hole is way too short as it was designed," said Mark as he retrieved his ball from the cup. "I prefer to play it the long way."
Chris Young
Chris' goal since his first foray in River Cup action in 1994 has been to become "long." "There are various stages in a golfer's development," opines the ever thoughtful Chris. "But everyone's ultimate goal is the 'long' stage." In his effort to achieve that goal, Chris has built a year round practice range in his garage. "I can't score a whit, but who cares. I now pronounce myself 'long'," chortles an obviously proud Young.
Mark DeBlois
DeBlois is the first "outsider" to compete in the River Cup. Currently a Stonehenge member, Mark's CCV membership application has languished for 12 years in the Membership Committee, but he is not discouraged. "I'm sure that I'll be in any day now," says Mark. "I'm not sure what the problem is, but I just know I'll be hearing something any day now."
Rob Leitch
Rob was first in line when the Leitch family passed out the luck, condemning his mild mannered and much loved brother John to suffer the title "Unluckiest Golfer Alive." "I don't know why John thinks I'm so lucky," says a perplexed Rob. "They say the toughest shot in golf is a pitching wedge from 90 yards to the green when you have to play it off a tree, into a sand trap, bounce it off a stone, and roll it into the cup. And I've only been lucky enough to make that shot four times in my career!"
George "Ear" Moorman
Ear is one of the more colorful competitors in the River Cup and may well be the greatest living exponent of the painful art of turning two shots into four (or more), a talent that escapes golfers of greater ability. "I'm not sure how I do it - it just seems to come naturally for me," says Ear proudly. "I can take 8 from anywhere. And in this year's Cup, I'm sure I'll prove it."
J. F. Dunlap
Another in this year's class of River Cup rookies, J. F. was recruited by Captain Jim Nelson because his mentality is well suited to the pressures of River Cup play. J. F. is living proof of the golfing adage that next to the idiotic, the dull and unimaginative mind is best for golf. "My strategy for my first River Cup match?" J. F. responded to a question from a reporter at the announcement of his selection to the team. "What is strategy?"
John Hyslop
John is playing as a free agent this year for the CCV side. A Willow Oaks member, John could not make the strong WOCC team after years of trying. An appeal to the Executive Committee resulted in a decision to allow Hyslop to play as a free agent for CCV if he could make the team. "The weeping and crying was what did it for us," said a spokesman for the Executive Committee. "It was just a sorry sight to see John on his knees pleading to play in this year's matches."
Doug Westmoreland
Doug finally eked out a singles win in last year's matches to get the press off his back about his 0-for-life singles record in the River Cup. "Now I know what Culley felt like during his many winless years with the media on his back," a thankful Westmoreland recently remarked.
John Leitch
John is a fine gentleman and one of the more likeable players on either side. He is a wonderful father and husband, a humanitarian, and one of the best over 40 tennis players in the state. Were it not for his bad luck, he would no doubt be undefeated in the River Cup, as his swing is smooth as silk and his putting stroke is fine as frog's hair. What a marvelous opportunity for us to have John in the River Cup.
Mike Miller
Another rookie in this year's River Cup. Miller is noted for his tenacity on a golf course - he tenaciously refuses to give up the game despite all indications that there is little hope of ever improving. He is the only golfer in history to have spent a three week vacation in Scotland without playing a round of golf. "I meant to play," says Mike. "But the distillery tours seemed to last a lot longer than I thought they would."
Wes Morck
Like Doug Westmoreland, Mr. 98 finally scratched out a win in singles play last year. Wes was previously winless in 7 starts. "It was kind of strange winning a match finally. I'm so used to halving or losing my matches I didn't quite know how to handle it," says Wes. "So this year I'm going back to what I know best."