cupp13

April 29, 2001

     Rydercup 13 took place 30 minutes east of Philadelphia, at Scotland Run Golf Club (where Jamin is a member). The early morning chilly weather gave way to a nice toasty warm day. The foursome arrived 2 hours prior to tee time, with Bryan giving everyone on the driving range an early morning clinic on how to boom razor straight drives.

     The Chinese jumped quickly out of the gates early. With Rich snatching up the first two holes, the Chinese built up a 4 hole lead after only 6 holes. But the Koreans didn't panic. Urged on with extremely intelligent play by Tae on the 8th hole, the Koreans managed to win 2 holes back to back to bring the lead down to 2.

     The beginning of the back nine was a totally different story. With Jamin's improved driving (from last year) and Tae's extremely steady play, the koreans had the Chinese struggling to hold its lead. With several miracle three woods, one miracle sand shot, and some scrambling halves, the chinese took a slim 1 hole lead to 16. The 17th was halved as well after Rich draino-ed a 6 footer.

     That brings us to the par 5 18th......and what a finish. The drama began with Jamin driving his ball about 300 yards.......towards to 3rd hole.   But with an incredible 4 iron, he managed to put himself back on the fairway (18th) ... in the same position (150 yards away) as Bryan and Tae had laid up to. Rich managed to duff his 8 iron lay up, leaving him 220 yards away, uphill, over a raven. Electing to hit 3 wood (with support from Bryan), Rich smashed it to the back of the green.

      The koreans managed to leave themselves both about 6 footers for par. Bryan nearly holed his par chip.....and that sets the stage for the finish. With Rich on the back of the green, he faced a quick 40 foot putt, with a ridge leading down to the hole. With the koreans certain that this putt would in no way be able to stay on the putting surface, the devastator stepped up. Starting his putt 5 feet to the left of the hole, the ball snaked back online, gaining speed with every second until it disappeared.............................into the hole for birdie and the match.

     Rich - MVP
     Bryan - coaching MVP