Email from Jay:

October 28th, 2006

To;  ASGA & PGA Nike Cup Teams
 
(Cimarron & other PGA Pros - please forward this to all PGA Team Members not listed in the Cc: above
 
From:  Jay Fox, ASGA Executive Director
 
Attached please find the pairings for the Four-Ball Matches and Foursome Matches of the 32nd Annual Nike Cup Matches October 28 at the Hot Springs Country Club.  Individual Pairings for Sunday, October 29 will be announced at Saturday night's cocktail party!  A blank pairing sheet is included as well as the press release that went to all news agencies today!
 
The ASGA will sponsor a breakfast buffet both mornings (Saturday and Sunday) beginning at 7:30 a.m., lasting until approximately 9:00 a.m.
 
The ASGA will also provide box lunches and drinks between matches Saturday and an "open ticket" will be at each halfway house for both days!
 
Following Saturday's play, we will have a cocktail party at HSCC beginning at 7:00 p.m. with heavy hors' douvres and an open bar until 7:30 p.m.  A sport coat is recommended, but not required.  During the party, captains will announce individual pairings for Sunday.
 
Uniforms - I understand the pros are going to be wearing khaki pants and blue shirts Saturday and black pants and white shirts Sunday.
 
Therefore, the amateurs will wear Black pants with gray shirts on Saturday and Khaki pants with purple shirts on Sunday.  I will also have one black (Velcro closure, non-fitted) Nike cap for the amateur team.
 
I want to thank Barry Howard, general manager at HSCC and the membership for opening their arms to us.  Please show the course every courtesy by following the posted cart rules, repairing ball marks, filling divots etc.
 
I look forward to seeing everyone at Hot Springs Country Club and for the pros, Cimarron was given a chance to get a quote in the press release, but got tied up in a meeting and did not get back to me!
 
Congratulations again to those who have made this team umpteen times and to the rookies.  It looks like the weekend is going to be pretty good weather wise and is always a fun weekend - win or lose!  See ya in Hot Springs.
 

October 23, 2006
To:  Michael Wharton-Palmer, Wes McNulty, Ron Mangold, Robert Neighbors, Bev Hargraves, Kirk Brown, David Shirey, Chris Jenkins, Rick Coatney, Scott Crisco, Jay Fox and Greg Flanagan and Seniors Oscar Taylor, Joe Bushee, John Vinson and Mike Hale

 
The players listed above are going to represent the ASGA in the 2006 Nike Cup Matches against the Arkansas PGA Chapter Professionals October 28-29 at the Hot Springs Country Club.
 
I want to congratulate Kirk Brown and Ron Mangold, who have earned their way onto this team for the first time and I also want to thank Bev Hargraves and Chris Jenkins, not only for serving as ASGA Board Members and Honorary Playing Captains, but also for selecting me as a captain's pick after not automatically qualifying in the top ten.  I feel very strongly about these matches and echo Bubba Klugh's thoughts below!
 
The purpose of this email is to provide you with information regarding the weekend.  First, there is a practice round/money game Friday afternoon at HSCC.  Chris Jenkins will be emailing each of you information about tee times, etc.  Typically, each team is a four-person team, blind drawn out of a hat with two pros and two ams on each team.  Everybody is playing everybody else, usually two low balls and there is a $3 Skins game as well.  I would imagine Chris will just hit "reply all" when he has the information.  If you commit to play to him, please honor your commitment. 
 
For example, I will not be playing as I am still mending from tendonitis in my left thumb and don't want to push it for four rounds in three days - saving my strength for the matches (plus there are hole locations to choose, making sure the course is marked etc.)
 
Second, if you need lodging, please call Tim Zimmerebner at the HSCC Golf Shop - 501-624-2661 and he can give you the code for reduced lodging at the Arlington Hotel (hotel and HSCC have same owner).  There are numerous other hotels in Hot Springs.
 
The schedule of play:
 
Saturday, October 28 - Breakfast buffet for players at HSCC (men's grill) beginning at 7:30 a.m. (paid by ASGA).  Tee times begin at 9:00 a.m. for Four-Ball Matches.  Box lunch following play and Alternate Shot Matches p.m.
 
Cocktail party - 7:00 p.m. at HSCC (Sport coat recommended, but not required).  HSCC has lockers and showers so bring clothes if you want.  Open bar 7:00 - 7:30 - Cash bar after 7:30.  Hor's douvres and Individual pairings for Sunday announced.  Reminder - set clocks BACK one hour before going to bed!
 
Sunday, October 29 - Breakfast buffet begins at 7:30 a.m. in the men's grill at HSCC (paid by ASGA), Tee Times for Individual Matches begin at 9:00 a.m.
 
The ams won the Nike Cup last year so the pros must win this year's matches outright to earn the cup.  The ams lead the overall series 21-10 and keep the cup in the event of a tie.
 
All matches are worth 1 point - there are 8 Four-Ball Matches (six ams and two seniors) and 8 Alternate Shot Matches on Saturday - total points possible 16.
 
There are 16 Individual Matches on Sunday - total points possible 16 - 32 for two days.  The ams won 20-12 in 2005, but the pros are "loaded for bear" in 2006.
 
The pairings will be announced on Thursday, October 26.  The amateur captains have already made their pairings for four-ball and alternate shot.  A meeting with Cimarron Grubb, PGA Captain, is scheduled for Thursday morning.  I will email pairings to you Thursday afternoon.
 
Uniforms -  please plan on bringing Black plants and Khaki pants to wear as shirts have been ordered to match these colors.  Also, each player will receive a black Nike cap and a solid black Nike mockturtleneck in case of cold weather.  Plan on bringing the necessary rain gear/cold weather gear  etc. just in case.
 
I preparing for this year's event, I want to share portions of an email from Bubba Klugh, who has played in numerous Nike Cup and Mid-South Cup Matches:
 
"Playing in the Cup Matches has always represented the pinnacle of golf for me.  Obviously, things like any USGA event are huge, but how many really get the chance to compete in those - especially on a regular basis?  I felt this way in 1981 when I made my first team and I still feel the same today.  This opportunity never lost its significance for me.  For most of us, travelling all over the country to play at an elite level, week in and week out, is just not possible.
 
BUT the Cup Matches, now there's a chance to show what you've got against the best around.  Slipping that uniform over my head always made me proud to represent my state alongside a great group of guys who were also great players.  To me, it's my Razorback helmet.  If you don't feel what I'm describing, then maybe this tournament isn't for you and you just wasted your whole summer.  If you do feel it, then maybe it would be a good time to show what you got.  These guys you are playing really want a piece of you and it's up to you not to be their personal trophy.
 
I really wish I could be there whether it is as a player, captain or simply a spectator.  Good luck playing and enjoy what you have accomplished."
 
Thanks Bubba for your words of wisdom.  He was asked to be non-playing captain but must be in Houston, Texas Sunday afternoon on business.
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I look forward to seeing everyone at Hot Springs Country Club.
 
Please reply to this email so I know you have received it - thank you!
 
Jay Fox
Executive Director
Arkansas State Golf Association
501-455-2742