2019 Summary | myrtle

Lost Balls Invitational History

2019 Projections

The projections are complete, and the results are in. Half the field received at least one 1st place vote including the defending champion, a rookie, and 8 total votes for past champions.

Let's take a look at the results.

#20 - Matt McDowell

This projection is spot on as his most recent text to me said "I'll likely miss round 1 because I plan to drink a TON with friends in Wilmington Wednesday night". He would become the 1st, round 1 DQ and will likely miss round 2 assuming he looks like this again.

#19 - Marlin Maddoux

Rodney Dangerfield said it best "No Respect, Nooooo Respect". After finishing 8 of 16 in his rookie campaign how can one drop so far?

#18 - Matt Tedrow & #17 - Chris Besinger

This vote is purely based off their potential to get caught in a shotgun ware, consume too much beer and/or caught in a late night trap with Tini or Lich. Both have game, both will score, but the voters have history on their side and suggest a few triples and quads may creep to go with scaring memories of Barszcz the night before.

#16 - Doug Barszcz

Doug has all the potential in the world, potential to take whomever is in the lead down. Keep the ball out of the fairway bunkers and he's an easy top 5, stay away from the purple nalgene and he's challenging for the win, keep his clothes on and Sanders has a chance.

#15 - Scott Sanders

Lich says Sanders love golf, Lich says Sanders is awesome, Lich says Sanders is hot. The projections say Sanders lands at 15. We all know Lich will keep Sanders warm in bed and up until 5am talking about water displacement devices (curbs) installed on roads.

#14 - Roger Vandawalker

Roger comes to the LBI by way of the JMU softball team and we know he'll have shotgun skills. The question is ... Does he have the soft skills and mental strength to make it 4 nights rooming with Tini?

#13 - Jeff Stein

He's 13th in the projections, received a 1st place vote, but is 20th when it comes to shotguns. If you're looking to shotgun and have 10 minutes to spare ... Jeff's your guy!!!

#12 - Mark Greenberg

Another 1st timer and also a low handicapper. History says he "f_cked" but I think he'll light it up from the white tees.

#11 - Mike Hollandsworth

Martini Mike was once known to enjoy a tasty martini after the round. Now he hopes to stay awake after pounding 12% IPA's all day. The over/under isn't on his finish at the LBI but on how many night's he'll fall asleep sitting up with a beer in his hand. We're there for 5 nights and the line is set at 4.

#10 - Dan Nall

The defending champion cracks the top 10 even with his handicap reduced by 1. Last year he putted like Tiger but champions often putt like Ray Charles the year after. Look for Dan to take down Stein while consuming 4 seasons of Archer.

#8 - Chris Stevens "The People's Champion"

What's not to like about the people's champion? He won in 2017, finished 4th in 2018, received 2 1st place votes, but can he overcome the possibility of losing the people's champion title to Tom Judy?

#9 - Jason Lich

Lich's game in mytle = the Chupacabra. We know it's there but we just can't see it. Between snuggling Sanders and catching up with McDowell there's a solid chance we see the first Lich DQ while McDowell never plays a single hole.

#4 - Matt Moden

A two time champion looking to get back into his 2007/2008 form. He's been taking lessons, playing on a weekly basis, and actively managing his handicap. Moden's going to win another LBI but will it be in 2019 and on Barszcz's watch?

#7 - Rob Weinig

The rightful King of the Iron throne, Rob "King of the North" Weinig, comes in at 7 but has all the potential to bring home the title. Multiple years he's been at the top through 3 rounds and looks to cap it off in 2019.

#6 - Tom Judy

Never has a 1st timer projected so high but never has anyone challenged the people's champion before stepping foot in myrtle. What's impressive here is Tom voted himself in the 20 hole which means he has many of your votes. Round 2 will be sink or swim for Tom. Traditionally the winners have had a round where they could barely walk yet make everything. The barely walking is all but guaranteed. The rest is to be determined.

#5 - Brian Ciarlo

Ciarlo once famously said "I'm playing too good to suck this bad". Our sentiments are the same, Ciarlo is too good to have not brought home the LBI title by now. This the year of the Ciarlo. LBI Champion then married in the fall under and large beautiful tree.

#3 - Brett Mikoy

Another two time champion but one with different goals. 1) Don't leave Barefoot knowing the GM's name 2) Don't pay the head pro for damages to golf carts. If we achieve those two goals he might make a top 10. If not, his game will go down faster than the Titanic.

ps ... beware of the purple nalgen.

and finally, our projected champions!

Yes, it's a tie between Gilbert Bell and Steve Boswell.

Gil carries the lowest handicap in the field and Bos carries a towel to dry his balls when they dangle in the toilet.
Gil is a highly skilled driver of the ball while Bos is highly skilled in negatively affecting Lich's game.
Bos has the perfect handicap and tee to green game to win.
Gil can shoot in the 60's but can he shoot in the 60's in myrtle?