2014 Myrtle Projections: 10 - 01

When we last talked, we were counting down the top hits from the 80s.  We'd just made it through Mister Mister's "Broken Wings" (way better than Kyrie), and were about to explore the aggressive new wave sound of Bananaramma.

What's that?  This is the golf blog?  Ah....my bad.  I appear to have my wires crossed...lot's going on these days.  Ok, so this blog was counting down the amazingly accurate projections for the 2014 LBI.  Let's get right into it, shall we?

Projection:  10th

Golfer:  Gabe Castro

Career mSF:  1.22

Average Myrtle Score (net):  74.4

Average Finish:  7

Years on Tour:  3

What We Say:  Gabe's progressively gotten better.  His skills place him up with the better golfers in the group but he always seems to have that one quad preventing him from getting over the top.  Either that, or he finds himself with a shotgun and sweet tea laden round with Kevin Shea.  This year he doubles up with dual Shea rounds.  If these twin killings fail to impact him during the round, he'll for sure feel the effects on the following day.  And shit, this year he's got his final round with Shea, too...and we all know what happened to Eagle Guy when he had his last round with Shea in 2012.  Gabe will contend, but ultimately fall a few shotguns, i mean strokes short.

Projection: 9th (tied)

Golfer: Brian Ciarlo

Career mSF:  1.3

Average Myrtle Score (net):  77.1

Average Finish:  7.1

Years on Tour:  7

What We Say:  Ciarlo knocks on the championship door every year with his Freddie Couples smooth swing, calm demeanor, and positive attitude.  What's his kryptonite?  He always seems to have that one "10" on the scorecard keeping the title just out of reach.  How to sum up his LBI game?  Let's quote Ciarlo from last year.  "I'm playing too good to suck this bad." 

Projection: 9th (tied)

Golfer: Al Samarias

Career mSF:  1.09

Average Myrtle Score (net):  74.5

Average Finish:  3

Years on Tour:  1

What We Say:  A last minute add in 2013, Al almost became the 1st rookie to win it all.  While the field was worrying about Al stealing the LBI title, Saps was worrying he would lose the crown as LBI's rage king.  Al averages 75 yards throwing his driver and an astonishing 110 with his irons.  Who knows, if Shea isn't in the group behind him his year, he may just pull it off.  It's okay Al, you'll get em this time.

Projection: 7th

Golfer: Matt Moden

Career mSF:  1.09

Average Myrtle Score (net):  76.0

Average Finish:  8

Years on Tour:  1

What We Say:  If Moden can find his way from green to the next tee box, his chances will increase significantly.  Moden's sense of direction has an exponentially inverse relationship to his drunkenness.  Yet he's still one of two 2-time winners of the LBI, so he's never one to be trifled with.  Recommendation, if you play with Moden, ensure he has ample shotguns; or bring a roll of paper towels.  

Projection: 6th

Golfer: Mike Savitch

Career mSF:  1.59

Average Myrtle Score (net):  77.7

Average Finish:  9

Years on Tour:  3

What We Say:  Distance, balance, a dancer's grace;  Thunder seems to possess all of the necessary tools to take home the trophy.  The issue isn't about potential, but whether or not he remembers to pack his "A" game.  Playing nearly 60% worse down in Myrtle than at home (1.59 mSF), it appears the distractions (and plugged balls in the fairway) may get into his head.  This year Thunder will be rolling down with a 'scratch' handicap, meaning he'll really need to block out all of the buffoonery if he wants another top 5 finish.   

Projection: 5th

Golfer: Damon Mikoy

Career mSF:  1.11

Average Myrtle Score (net):  73.6

Average Finish:  12

Years on Tour:  3

What We Say:  Eagle guy......'nuf said.

Projection: 4th 

Golfer: Kevin Shea

Career mSF:  1.16

Average Myrtle Score (net):  76.0

Average Finish:  8.7

Years on Tour:  6

What We Say:  Shea is one of the toughest to predict in this race.  He's the only one in the projected top 5 with a handicap over 10. It's pretty clear the prognosticators feel this year's shortened distance will have the most positive impact on the lower handicaps.  We're envisioning a lot of driver / wedge sequences for some of the bigger hitters.  Shea on the other hand may be looking at a lot of driver / 7-irons as his 300 yard drives find new and unusual places to land.  Still, it always seems to open up over there, and this year's slew of courses will probably not be an exception.  Shirtless, sipping sweet tea and listening to smooth tunes, Shea could be walking off the 72nd hole with a trophy in one arm, and a caddy in the other.

Projection: 3rd 

Golfer: Chris Mikoy

Career mSF:  1.46

Average Myrtle Score (net):  76.4

Average Finish:  6.5

Years on Tour:  6

What We Say:  By virtue of his last name and heritage, CT's a contender.  Always possessing a solid swing with great fundamentals, Chris took a year off from the LBI for deep reflection and to uncover the source of his past failures.  He was off the grid for 6 months with rumors of him spending the time studying box jumping techniques from an ancient order of Tibetan Cross-Fit Monks (they exist).  Chris returned with new sense of discipline, and a renewed fire in his tummy.  Will he be able to maintain the year of discipline during his round w/ Shea?  Will he be able look into the fires of failure's past, and not blink?  Will he be able to locate a sub shop at the turn of each course?  Something tells us, maybe.

Projection: 2nd 

Golfer: Brett Mikoy

Career mSF:  1.42

Average Myrtle Score (net):  75.0

Average Finish:  5

Years on Tour:  7

What We Say:  Hammered, no problem.  Hurricane conditions, ok.  Need to find an RV/DD so he can fire 17 shotguns, all right.  It seems that after two LBI victories, Brett can bring home the victory in virtually any condition or scenario.  Until he has a bad streak of finishes for a few years, you have to assume he'll contend.  Only things keeping him from the top spot are Tim and Brody.  Brett's reps are significantly down due to his newly acquired "daddy" status, so he could find a blow up hole here and there.  Couple that with a handicap so low PLUS a 4 stroke penalty, and it will be tough to bring home the back-to-back.  Then again, this could just be a new scenario for him to check off the list.  

Projection: 1st 

Golfer: Tim Slough

Career mSF:  1.33

Average Myrtle Score (net):  72.8

Average Finish:  2

Years on Tour:  2

What We Say:  I'm not convinced he hasn't been taking a dive every LBI he's played.  Two years and Two 2nd place finishes?  Does he owe money to "legitimate" businessmen?  Is he cleaning up on side bets in offshore casinos?  We may question his associations and hobbies, but we sure as hell can't question his game.  The dude can flat out play, and this year he's rolling into the tournament with a handicap higher than his previous two years COMBINED (2).  It appears the tournament is once again his to lose!

There you have it kids!  Hopefully you'll each want to prove us wrong and we'll see some great competition this year.  That, or we'll all get loaded and spray the ball all over the course.  One week to go!!!

~Saps