For immediate release: July 30, 2017
Chris Wilson Jacketed as the 2017 Sandjobs + Stroganoff Tournament Champion one year after speedwalk defeat
Sisters, Ore. –
It will go down as the biggest, longest and most dangerous SJ+S Tournament to date. 13 competitors hailing from 2 states battled it out over 4 days, 72 holes, 1 pond, and only 7 beds. It was a test of endurance, mental fortitude, sunscreen and pure luck. In the end, the experience of a former champion gritted his way to the title, becoming the first ever 2-time winner of the prestigious and exclusive tournament.
The story started to unfold early Thursday afternoon at Aspen Lakes GC as 4 rookies made their debuts and 5 tournament veterans headed out in threesomes to compete for the coveted plaid jacket. In a theme that would carry on for most of the tournament, it was a day for those rookies. Ryan “Pollack Jimbo Drama” O’Neel claimed the very first points of the day with his drive on the third hole. It was a statement from the rookie class that would end the day with the overall leader, Manny “hotshot” Arceo, as well as a strong performance from Pete “The Mountain” Shockley each ending the day in the top 3. They were joined by the 2014 Champion Matt Wilhelmsen. Defending champion Pat Rice happily enjoyed his first day of defense by doing just that, enjoying it.
Thursday night saw the inclusion of Acey Ducey (also known as ATM) for some, while others steered clear of what has become one of the more divisive tournament challenges. Tournament rookie and first round leader Arceo took home the cash and the weight of the overnight lead with the win. The final highlight was founding member Curran “OB” O’Brien being welcomed by the 4 former champions, all dressed in plaid, in an intimate moment later that evening.
Day 1 Leaders
Manny – 3
Matt – 2 ¾
Pete – 2 ¾
Juniper GC, Wilhelmsen’s “home course” hosted the tournament on Friday and it saw the elevation of “The Mountain” to the top of leaderboard with a display of power that the tournament has rarely seen. Curran O’Brien, Leigh Calvert and Max Schuetze, all a day late to the party started out on 0 points. The day proved difficult for the other leaders with Wilhelmsen’s Tiger-esque putt, walk and point on 18 lipping out, leaving him looking up the leaderboard along with Arceo failing to claim the form of Thursday. The shot of the day was made by Max Schuetze, after with his 41 ft. downhill double breaker for birdie on #11. Schuetze provided the now signature celebration of throwing his putter and hat an equal distance to the putt made.
Friday night saw the natural beauty of the host house put to full use with several competitions taking place around the grounds. The highlights included Chase McPherson and Ryan O’Neil claiming the ladders competition in stunning fashion. While Chance celebrated, it was not lost on the crowd how crucial a ½ point it was for Ryan and Chase who were seeking the chance to turn their rookie campaigns into title challenges. The ever popular chipping competition ensued with only 11 of twelve players being able to compete as the toll of the day and night began to set in. The final points were won, by the perennial Acey Ducey champion, Schuetze, with an amazing solitaire win. By the end of day 2, many thought the distance to Shockley first was too high to climb. While it was clear a new star was born, in no way would the winding road of the Sandjobs tournament allow for it to be an easy path from here.
Day 2 Leaders
Pete – 6 ½
Chris – 4 ¾
Manny – 4 ¼
Saturday brought the group into Dadurday form where men become older men and where frugality forced even the soundest options to be ignored. Despite the temperature and the fact that no one walks golf courses anymore, the group, in line with tradition, forgoed the use of any golf carts and took on Crooked River Ranch on foot. It’s a great place to hang your hat, hot as hell, put a pure slice of heaven. The day belonged to no one individual, which served to benefit Shockley and Wilson. The top Dadurday outfit went to Rebel Juan, who fit right in, as well as a strong performance from Drama Jim who seemed to be right at home on Dadurday. Points on the course were spread throughout the groups showing this to be one of the most balanced fields in tournament history. It was Schuetze’s magical putter that once again set the tournament alight; his 20 foot birdie putt on 18 secured the points for his group. PJ Rice, in his spectacular point-winning attire from previous seasons was dethroned by Benny Erickson in the ball recovery competition.
The evening saw the annual champions Stroganoff dinner, pin ceremony and airing of grievances amongst the group. Nabil Zerizef started the festivities, as the previous champion offering a stirring and powerful speech as he bestowed a pin on Rice’s plaid jacket. Out of respect for the participants and the privacy of the occasion, no further comments will be shared as the dinner remains a private and exclusive event where the media and non-members are all asked to leave the premises for its entirety.
However, once the dinner was completed, the group was confident that getting Shockley off the course and away from his driver would prove to be a way to chip into his lead. Invigorated by the Blanton’s and Stroganoff, the group set up a flurry of point earning opportunities by way of darts, pool and an absurd 1983 junior trivia game which became an instant hit due to its truth defying facts and answers. The shot of the tournament was without a doubt the trick shot played in the game of cutthroat. It is impossible to capture the absurdity via the written word but imagine an unknown ping pong ball jumping out of a pool pocket only to scurry the length of the table into the opposite corner. It is safe to say it is shot the tournament, or even humankind, weill never be seen again.
Once the dust settled from these competitions, Max Schuetze had fired his way into the top 3, along with Shockley and Wilson who were all placed as captains for the front 9 on Sunday. It had been the longest day in Sandjob history making for a short, restless night, especially for those with plaid jackets on their minds.
Day 3 Leaders
Pete – 10
Chris – 8 ¾
Manny – 6 ¾
As Sunday dawned, Zephyr was once again sleeping with PJ, Chase was once again sleeping with Nabil and the plaid jacket was once again up for grabs. Double point scoring on this final day of competition ensured a host of competitors could see a path to plaid.
Every tournament takes on its own character, often finally showing itself on Sunday. This year saw rookies banding together, trying to elevate one of their kind to the title while a group of former winners took apart the front nine in defense of one of their own. The maelstrom at the turn as competitors scrambled for food and water and was complicated by the fact that Pat Rice left the scoreboard on the 8th hole leaving Wilson with a pencil and a picture on his phone to score and coordinate the pairings for the back nine. After several moments of confusion the groups were announced and it all became clear. The plaid jacket was either going to a long driving rookie, who only days in, already embodied the SJ+S spirit or one of two former champions, each struggling with their game but relying on their experience over the final 9 holes to find a way for their shoulders to once again be donned in plaid.
Sunday Back 9 Matches
Luke Erickson(12) vs. Pat Rice(11)
Mac Schuetze (10) vs. Manny Arceo (9)
Ryan O’Neil (8) vs. Leigh Calvert (7)
Matt Wilhelmsen(5) vs. Chase? McPherson (4)
Pete Shockley(1) vs. Chris Wilson(2) vs. Nabil Zerizef(3).
Unfortunately, due to the shrinking media budgets of the local press, only the final group was covered . The following is a chronicle of the events that took place on the back 9 that day. All of which culminated in a historical win of redemption and perseverance for Wilson who had many times seen the Sandjob jacket find alternate shoulders in recent years.
Hole 10 – The nerves won the hole, with each competitor finding his own unique way to make a double bogey. Zerizef collected the long drive in the group, an unfortunately early high point for his efforts on Sunday.
Hole 11 – The cracks in The Mountain continued to grow with both he and Zerizef finding the OB to the right. Wilson hit his rolling draw into the fairway and collected a 2 putt par, giving him the first lead on the back nine. CW - +2, PS - +3, NZ -+4
Hole 12 – The cracks in the veteran Wilson showed here with an angel gooser to the right with Shockley and Zerizef in good shape off the tee. Wilson scrambled to a 2 putt bogey while Shockley’s short game led him to another double bogey. Zerizef seized the momentum with a par. CW - +3, PS - +5, NZ -+4
Hole 13 – All 3 finalists missed the green and the crucial points, but Shockley’s 2nd shot set him up for a simple par. Wilson failed to get up and down, while Zerizef slipped further back with a short game induced double bogey. CW - +4, PS - +5, NZ -+6
Hole 14 – This and the 15th hole proved pivotal, Zerizef seeing plaid slipping away, failed to even complete the hole, whereas both Wilson and Shockley sent equally long drives down the fairway and in prime position to attack the pin. Wilson continued his steady-ish play with a 2 putt par. Shockley continued to struggle inside of 100 yards(stop hitting it so far) and made bogey. CW - +4, PS - +6, NZ -+8
Hole 15 – With the 2 shot lead Wilson took an iron off the tee, only to be followed by a Shockley drive nearly reaching the green. Wilson’s 8 iron found the front of the green while Shockley’s chip finished on the same line but several inches further away. Shockley’s three putt gave Wilson a crucial read for his own simple 2 putt par. A three shot lead, with three to play. CW - +4, PS - +7, NZ -+9
Hole 16 – The hole set up for Wilson’s draw, but another Bernie Sanders left him scrambling. Shockley took the most aggressive of lines possible nearly hitting several automobiles but that still only left himself a short 3rd shot for his approach. Wilson’s approach from 130 flew into the back bunker, opening up the chance for Shockley to reclaim some crucial shots. Wilson’s downhill lie in the kitty litter led to a double bogey, but Shockley missed his short par putt, therefore only gaining one shot on the leader. Nonetheless, things were tightening up. CW - +6, PS - +8, NZ -+11
Hole 17 – Shockley left the door open with a miss into the right rough, but Wilson’s draw fed into the left rough. Shockley’s chip came to within 5 feet where he made his par. Wilson’s downhill chip ran 10 feet past leading to a bogey. Going to the final hole, only one shot separated the leaders. CW - +7, PS - +8, NZ -+12
Hole 18 – Shockley drove deep into the condos, taking the pressure off, momentarily. With water left, Wilson had no good club choices and chose driver. His drive, while clipping trees on the right, found its way to the right rough, narrowly avoiding the fairway bunker. His 7 iron from 170 found the front of the green, and he could sense that the last hurdle had been cleared. Shockley cleaned up with a standard bogey and Wilson’s 2-putt par clinched his second plaid jacket. Zerizef battle the bunkers all back nine to finish +12. CW - +7, PS - +9, NZ -+12
CW – 43
PS – 45
NZ - 48
Final Standings 2017 Sandjobs + Stroganoff Standings & Miscellaneous Awards
1. Chris "Lou" Wilson - 14 3/4
2. Pete "Radford Mountain" Shockley - 14 1/2
3. Nabil "Bill Thurston" Zerizef - 10 1/2
4. Leigh "L’Michael" Calvert (D) - 10 1/2
5. Chase "Monty" McPherson(D) - 9 3/4
6. Manny "Rebel Juan" Arceo - 9 3/4
7. Matt "Chris" Wilhelmsen (D) - 9 1/4
8. Ryan "Jimbo Drama" O'Neil (D) - 8
9. Pat "PJ" Rice - 7 3/4
10. Max "Andy" Schuetze (D) - 6 3/4
11. Luke "Benny" Erickson (D) - 6 1/2
12. Curran "Bryan" O'Brien – 3
13. Chance McPherson – No Score / 0 Kills
Top Rookie – Pete Shockley
Top Dad – Leigh Calvert
Long Drive Champion – Pete Shockley
Closest to Pin Champ – Chase McPherson
Best Putter – Max Schuetze
Top Off-Course Point Earner – Max Schuetze
Earlier in the week, the audacity of former competitor and 2017 dropout Kevin Pollack to not only back, but celebrate Wilson’s victory prior to a shot be taken was seen by many as purely a publicity stunt. Little did they know it may have provided the inspiration to give the 2012 Champion just the confidence boost needed to reclaim the title. The other moment that will be remembered for ages was Wilson’s heart felt admission of the impact of the previous season’s loss, committing and urging everyone to fight for every ¼ point. That turned out to be the exact margin of victory he would use to claim his second jacket. It’s unlikely anyone was surprised when the dry erase ink dried that Wilson was be the last man standing after his steady play and past experience. However, throughout the weekend his golf form was far from vintage, often relying on the strengths of his teammates and a persistent optimism to grind out and make the most of any circumstance. One never knows how history will look back, but it will surely be seen as a an important step for a past champion to prove that even in a much more crowded field and complicated scoring world there is room for his place amongst the Sandjob elite. However, hovering just behind him is a new set of hungry and capable competitors that will surely be looking for their own plaid in future years. While the tournament was won by a throwback veteran, there was no doubt that the future of the tournament has never been brighter. Year after year you only have to wait for the next tournament for an even greater experience than the one before.
As always there are innumerable people to thank for the success of this year’s tournament. It is not possible to name everyone, but here are a few:
The Sandwitches of the Sandjobbers - None of this would be possible without your support and patience with all of the competitors before, during and after the tournament.
Hal – your beers on 18 at Aspen Lakes reminded all of us to enjoy the good things in life, like a cold beer on a summer night in central Oregon, even if you can’t find your golf ball.
Zepyhr & Hosts – a wonderful host family and home with a pond just big enough, a table just long enough and a home with just enough beds/floors/decks to take care of us for 4 days.
The staff at Crooked River Ranch – Wilson’s walkers always enjoy your hospitality and your concern for PJs sunburn.
The Black Butte Rangers – for getting our group shot and getting everyone through the final day of a truly grueling 4 days in the central Oregon sun.
The Competitors – the 13 of you that found a way to enjoy and accept this uncompetitive competition are what make it so special.
Andy – the custom scorecards, regardless of the comical sponsors ensured that the move to 12 players and even more fractions was computable and trackable.
The knot tying skill of Pete Shockley which definitely saved Matt’s life.
The Sandjobs organizing committee – It’s not possible to explain to someone how amazing this tournament is as well as how amazing it will be the following season based on the commitment by the organizers and the members to continue to make improvements each season.
The 2018 Sandjobs + Stroganoff Tournament dates will be announced in the coming months, until then, everyone can wear plaid, dream of glass unicorns and creamy, delicious steak and pasta that can’t come soon enough.
For more off the record quotations - please email chrisllwilson@hotmail.com - the personal/media relations account of Chris Wilson, not the participant account(wilsonllchris@gmail.com).