5th Annual March Madness 1 day Match Play Tournament

When: Saturday March 24th.
Where: Earlewood Park, Columbia, SC
Time: Registration 8:30 to 9:15
Drawing of the brackets: 9:30
First Round Starts: 10:00

Pro Entry Fee: $25.00 X-C TIER (includes doubles entry)
AM Entry Fee: $10.00 Nonsanctioned (includes doubles entry)

$400 added to Pro purse / $100 to ams -Merch bucks to Ams

Format: 1 on 1 match play. First round 18 holes; subsequent rounds 10 holds each. Payouts will go to all players advancing to the 3rd round or better.

Random doubles after 2nd round for all eliminated players with cash added. Entry fee for doubles included with Match Play entry so all eliminated players have a chance to redeem themselves.

Field limited to 64. 32 pros , 32 ams

2003 Pro Champion: Dave Cannon- Columbia, SC
2004 Pro Champion: Tim Barr- Kingsport, TN
2005 Pro Champion: Jonas Card - Charleston, SC
2006 Pro Champion: Tim Barr - Kingsport, TN

2003 Am Champion: Donnie Baker - Charlotte, NC
2004 Am Champion: Jonas Card - Charleston, SC
2005 Am Champion: Ray Cartledge - Charleston, SC
2006 Am Champion: David Wheeler - Charleston, SC

Pre-registration recommended and appreciated. Tournament filled last year with a wait list.

Send registrations to:

Chris Sauls
4064 Beltline Blvd
Columbia, SC 29204
803-917-8318
803-364-5282 after 6 pm.

This is a PRO Sanctioned X-C Tier, SCDGO Points event.

Do you have the nerves of a Champion?

nice TTrim will be represnting

Team Saul's will TTopple the ohh so emphemous TTeam TTrim!

If you haven't played before, this is a quite different disc golf experience.

Players are entered in a tournament bracket (e.g.; NCAA basketball event of a similar name), and play one-on-one, match play rounds, with the winner advancing and the loser eliminated. The first round is 18 holes and each round thereafter 10----and in match play, a 10-hole round is pressure from the very first throw. You'll never hear anyone wishing good luck on an opponent's throw under these circumstances.

Anyone still standing after 2 rounds has cashed. For all those eliminated---and by this point, it's 75% of the field---they are automatically entered into a random doubles event (with no additional charge)---king of an "NIT" round as a second chance to win money. The random doubles ends prior to the championship round, so everyone can form a gallery for the finals. And Earlewood is a great "spectator" course.

In fact, the excitement begins even before the first round. The bracket pairings are randomly drawn, so there's considerable interest in seeing two top players draw each other in the opening round, or two good friends (soon to be not such good friends), or, as we've seen in recent years, blood relatives (which can really get bloody). You can look ahead to see what may be awaiting if you win your round....and it's always interesting to reconvene after rounds as reports of upsets come in.

Earlewood is a great short course, and well suited for the constant gathering and dispersal involved in such a tournament. Everyone's guaranteed a minimum of 36 holes (at the very least, the first round plus random doubles), and the champion will have played up to 58 holes in a single day, with each throw under considerable pressure. Hence the slogan, "DO YOU HAVE THE NERVES OF A CHAMPION?".

For those who couldn't get in the Earlewood Classic, or couldn't make it or couldn't play a 2-day event, this is a second chance to play Earlewood. Ditto for those who did get in the Earlewood Classic, couldn't believe their score on a seemingly easy course, and want another crack at it.

Team Saul's will TTopple the ohh so emphemous TTeam TTrim!

10 bux per person side bet.

hmmm, looks like TEAM CHUCK does pretty good at this event...

in the pasTT

Officially, Team Chuck rules match play.

Super fun format for taking down all major players.

History tends to repeat itself. Can I start a superficial post on the same tournament?

sure

TOURNAMENT FLYER is available at

March Madness Flyer (http://www.scdgo.net/2007_march_madness.pdf)

Wouldn't it be great to see Tim Barr (Pro winner, 2004, 2006) and Jonas Card (Am winner 2004, Pro winner 2005)---two who have never lost a match---in attendance and facing each other somewhere along the way?

Any bets on which 1000-rated players won't survive the first 2 rounds?

I will place a bet on which one makes it past the first 2 rounds

I love seeing my name in these terms, I have to thank my oponents for missing key putts and my old Blowfly had a lot to do with the first win. I'm bringing it out of retirement.

I will be there.

Blowfly dont bother me...Blowfly dont bother me...

expect the unexpected in "Match Play" Everyone has a 1 in 32 chance of winning.

Another unique feature of this format is that everyone* seems to remember the shot that eliminated them---the putt they missed, or the great shot their opponent drained to put them away. It seems to leave scar tissue. In a standard format, only those involved in a playoff or a 1-stroke loss get that feeling but, in a match-play tournament, everyone but the winner experiences it.

So if you've ever played before, you understand the slogan on the tee-shirts:

"THIS TIME IT'S PERSONAL!"


* - okay, almost everyone. For the winners, the slogan on the flyer---"Do you have the nerves of a champion?"---for suriving some 58 holes and 5 match-winning shots in a single day.

R U taking a dive in the 3rd round? What are the otb odds on the redness winning it all?

If you want to see which top pros and hall-of-famers departed early last year---yes, it was a star-studded random double--- and who Tim Barr beat on his way to the championship, check out the 2006 Pro results:

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/March%20Madness%202006%20Pro%20Results.jpg

Chris has done a great job making this a bargain (with Travis's help raising money)---only $25 for pros gets you the match-play tournament AND, if you're unlucky, random doubles. Last year's winner won $400 for his $25 entry fee.

And the non-sanctioned Am division is only $10---a great experience for the non-tournament-playing folks who don't want to spend a lot, or give up a whole weekend.

Looking forward to playin in this GreaTT evenTT.

that bottom bracket looked stacked

We are considering some sort of informal event at Stoney Hill on Sunday, for anyone who wants to make a weekend of it. Bring-your-partner doubles is one format that has been suggested.

For those who don't know, Stoney Hill is Chris and David's private course near Prosperity, SC, about 40 minutes from Earlewood. For anyone wanting to stay over we have some sofa and carpet space....one travel trailer....and 62 acres on which to pitch a tent.

More details in March.

Flyer is available at www.columbiadiscgolfclub.com (http://www.columbiadiscgolfclub.com), along with a flyer for the Earlewood Classic.

Chris has confirmed the above suggestion with an invitation for bring-your-partner doubles on Sunday, after March Madness, at Stoney Hill. Details on the discussion board under Courses.....Stoney Hill.

I forgot to mention to add and extra $5 to your entry fee if your pdga membership isn't current...and I don't want to hear "da check is da mail" on the day of the event...this only applies to pros.

.....only 52 spots left......

TOURNAMENT FLYER is available at

March Madness Flyer (http://www.scdgo.net/2007_march_madness.pdf)

Wouldn't it be great to see Tim Barr (Pro winner, 2004, 2006) and Jonas Card (Am winner 2004, Pro winner 2005)---two who have never lost a match---in attendance and facing each other somewhere along the way?

Any bets on which 1000-rated players won't survive the first 2 rounds?



My bets on TTrim! He blows under pressure!

It is always great to see mynameis. Bring your cameras.

As mentioned above, we will have a bring-your-own-partner doubles event at Stoney Hill on Sunday after March Madness. This gives those who wish a chance to make a weekend of it, to play a unique event Saturday and a unique course Sunday. It will be in inaugural event at Stoney Hill.

More details in a separate discussion group here (http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=660407&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1)

Now that Earlewood Classic is over and done with, the hype is to begin about this one! Everybody get your entry fees in early! Can't Wait! If you're going to bring your own partner doubles at Stoney Hill Sunday, WATCH OUT. I'll be bringing my brother who averages 20+ over out there and we're gonna smoke it!

maybe stroke it....

I'm sure none of that sort of activity will be coming from the Martinez team.

I'm just baffelled that all this Earlewood MM talk is going on in the Earlewood Classic discussion. Lets talk about it here so more people may be able to see it.

Note: I'll take Tim Bar in my first round. Pretty sure his record would then be 11-0 because it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for me to go in the first....It's kinda a tradition for me. Maybe I'll be able to throw a flick again real soon. Lost it over the time off

2 rounds and gauranteed cash sounds nice. The random draw at the beginning is real nice. Much better than the NCAA setup brackets.

Jonas, are you coming to Bring Your Own Partner Doubles at Stoney Hill the next day? 20 bux per team pro/am

No, I'm taking the cash and running on home. I can't wait to play the course so lets get another event working soon. This could change too. I will have some company with me for the match play.

The "bring-your-partner-doubles" is an effort to debut Stoney Hill, as well as giving those who are traveling a chance to make it a weekend with 2 out-of-the-ordinary events. It's a great time of year to play Stoney Hill....the mud from the winter rains is drying up and the weeds have not started to grow and get ahead of the mowers yet.

It will probably be next year before we're ready for a sanctioned event, but of course you're welcome to come visit anytime.

With a little effort, the course could hold a tournament this year, maybe during fall when the crud is dying down. This course takes a lot of effort to keep groomed and playable so if you enjoy the course, be sure to give special thanks to Chris, David, Travis, and a few others that have put many hours in to get it as far as it is today. Can't say much about myself, I have weed-eated here, and cut down there...but mainly just played the course every time available so atleast I pushed down many trails through the woods as that is where my disc seems to land.

One thing to always remember about this course, NEVER throw a second shot or you're bound to lose the disc or a limb...stay in the fairway in the summer.

Chris S.:

Have you guys ever given any thought to doing a DOUBLE Elimination Match Play? I think they do something like this in college baseball, where anyone losing in the winners' bracket would drop down and play each other in the losers' bracket. That way, everyone would get a second chance at redemption on the same day!

Speaking out of turn, as Chris is out sick today.....

We've discussed double-elimination, and would love to see someone try it. One pro would be that, if you got a tough draw in the 1st round (historically, Jonas or Tim), you'd still have a chance. One con would be that it would add at least 1 round, maybe two with the inevitable byes, to the schedule. When we started this 4 years ago (unsanctioned then), we were concerned about running out of daylight, and in fact I think we did have an epic 7-hole sudden-death playoff linger into the twilight one year. This year we gain daylight savings time, so we have time for another round. Also, Chris envisioned this to be like NCAA basketball; with single-elimination, the pressure begins with the very first throw and never relents.

We'd also like to expand the field at some point in the future, if there's enough demand for it. That's one more round in itself, even if we add just 2 more players.

There was once a discussion about double-elimination over 2 days. The problem, of course, is for the number of players who get eliminated on the first day.

As it is, we do give a bit of a second chance---in the form of random doubles for the 75% who get eliminated in the first two rounds. There's no additional entry fee, and it's another chance for about 6 people to win a little money.

A thought I was pondering last night---Chris hasn't heard this yet---was to go to 2 days and have 2 single-elimination tournaments.....then a championship match at the end of Sunday between each day's winners (no match if the same person wins both days). The "two halves" system is used in many youth sports, and I think in minor league baseball as well. This would give us the "second chance" while continuing the single elimination pressure.

As you do this, you find that match play has its own unique, logistical problems. Each division needs an even number of players, and really in multiples of 4 to avoid byes in the first two rounds. So you need someone standing by on the "maybe" list to fill in, drop out, or change divisions, as needed. There's no point in running small division (women, grandmasters, etc.). As mentioned about, adding 2 more players to a full bracket adds a complete new round. And so on.

There have been rumors from time to time of other match play events in our area, and I've heard some for this year. It would be great to see someone try some different ideas and see how they work. It's a big change from a standard tournament, and lots of fun in its own pressure-cooker way.

Thanks for the suggestion, and keep them coming. Chris has plowed some new ground here---it's his baby, I just handle logistics---and I'm sure there's lots we haven't thought of.

David

Hi James---wasn't paying attention to who I responding to, thought it was just a generic suggestion from somewhere out there in the disc golf world, so my reply was impersonal in addition to my usual rambling. Anyway, those are the pros & cons we've thought of, so far. In the "someone else can try this" dept., I'm hoping for Augusta, Greenville, Orangeburg, etc.; someone with a suitable course (not too big, with a central meeting place to make disbursement to holes as easy as possible).

I am, of course, the person who created a pretty nifty team-play league, which nonetheless failed due to lack of attention. I'm more into ideas than execution.

Come see us at Stoney Hill. I promise you'll leave with most of your discs, and most of your blood.

only 8 spots left in the am division..

This tournament has traditionally had a heavy day-of registration. However, Chris advises that the non-sanctioned Am side is virtually full (1 spot available, at last word), and the Pro side at least half-full. 16 spots, maybe fewer, are available.

Lets get the Am list updated on SCDGO to reflect the current status ASAP. I know some people who sent in their registration who are curious if they made the cut.

Why only 15 Pros? It is only $25. I would pay that for a club monthly.

....with little of chance of winning $400 in that monthly.

I think the issue is pre-registration---we had about this number, or less, pre-registered last year and filled the pro bracket. It would sure help planning to have as many pre-register as possible---especially since this involves different brackets for different numbers of competitors.

Jonas, I sent the updated list to Dave to post. We had a drop out in the am division so we have 2 spots left. 16 left in pro.

Sweet. I hope I do better than my silly bracket in bball.

1 week to go!

In the past, how late has this event lasted?

Thanks

As best I recall, over as early as 4:30 or 5:00, as late as about 6:30. The latter was due, in part, to a 7-hole, sudden-death playoff the championship round. I'm not sure we've had the same starting times every year.

Our biggest concern was finishing in daylight, but with daylight savings time coming earlier this year, that won't be an issue.

How long it lasts for each individual is up to the competitors, of course. Those eliminated are free to leave, though we encourage folks to stay through the 4th round / random doubles, then hang around to form a gallery for the 9-hole finals. Understandably, some with long drives ahead will leave then. Only 4 people---2 pros & 2 ams---and the directors must be there to the end.

Am division is full....They will be playing for a $420 purse. Payout below:

Champion $115.00
Runner up $ 75.00
Semi-Finalist $ 55.00 each ( 2 spots )
Quarter Finalist $ 30.00 each ( 4 spots )


16 Pros so far will be playing for a $752 purse. $350 to winner. I expect this number to jump real soon.

is the am list updated?

Forecast right now is for terrific weather---low 80s, 10% chance of rain.

the ams are playing for ca$h?

is the am list updated?



Tim, you got the last spot. list should be updated.

the ams are playing for ca$h?



No cash to ams.. Merch bucks only. We should have a nice selection thanks to Innova.

Intere$ting.

Why not $anction the Am$ then?

Intere$ting.

Why not $anction the Am$ then?



Very simple: we would have to provide a players package, and pay the $50 pdga sanction fee. Since the entry fee is only $10 which includes doubles, (my idea of a players package) it wouldn't be cost effective to sanction it. Also, we have so many local rec players play the tournament, it would cost them an additional $5.00 for the non-current pdga membership.

This is how we can have such a generous payout.

We used to pay out cash to Ams but Harold is a big supporter of ours and we like to return the favor by selling his discs.
=================================

We sanctioned the Pro so that we could get it up on the PDGA tour board and reserve our dates.

Harold is a nice guy.

BTW: I love the Ont ROC from the Earlwood Classic. It is staying in the bag.

Jonas, you're going down....i'm calling you out first! Team Chuck will no longer REIGN at Earlewood!

Different Subject:

Wheeler, what happened to those 47's as forecasted at the Earlewood Classic?

uhhhh, it was windy... uhhh, some SWEET 4's....uhhh, I stink... that's my story and I'm stickin to it. Like your Uncle always says, March Madness is the tourney to get some redemption from the Classic! Team Chuck is PUMPED!!!

I am looking forward to the name drawing ceremony. You need to recalibrate your odds, and don't leave out the intimidation factor, son!

Ah, the name drawing ceremony.....

Is there a more exciting players meeting in disc golf?

As I understand it---Chris is unavailable today---the Am side is full and there are a dozen or so spots left on the Pro side. (The Columbia Disc Golf Club erroneously states that both are full; this should be corrected tonight). Chris can take a phone registration with a credit card; with a forecast of beautiful weather, we're likely to have a bit of a rush in the last few days and on Saturday morning.

Forecast is 86 degrees....sunny....10% chance of rain....and close enough to believe the weatherman. 'Twould be our 5th straight year of great weather, brought to you by your hosts and no extra charge.

Are holes 4, 5, 6, 17 going to be roped OB like at the classic?

Just curious.

NO ROPE!

Add Jordan Nelson,Tim Barr,Darrell Lambrecht, Chris Kilgus, Jerry Harmon, Ed Garris, to the MADNESS. Unofficially, Add Schweb & JLand.

I am not holding spots, If you want in for sure, call me today by 5pm with your C.C info. 803-256-8983. Chris Sauls -

The madness begins in 24 hours.

cant make it, sorry, ju can take me off the list. Werk calls

don't you know when work calls, you don't answer. thanks for the notice.

BOOO!

Cough, cough, you're really sick, get it? j/k

About 21� hours until 64 disc golfers look at the scoreboard and calculate how easily they can sweep through 5 matches and be champions.

About 24 hours until 32 of them vow to do better next year.

unofficially JLand.





you can make that official

Welcome aboard.

Rumor has it that there are 5 or 6 spots left.

chris-

just left a message on your voicemail
-dana vicich
ph. 815-575-1917

Crossing our fingers that we will fill again this year. With the unique format, it certainly makes for a better experience to have exactly the right number of players, and thus no byes.

everyone welcome Dana Vicich to the party....

Update.....from BS johnson......
In the final 8
cuTT
Tim Barr
Mike Martinez
few others

cuTT had to take out Real Jufferson in the 2nd round
Jerry Harmon took out BS inda first round in 15 holes
Travis Sauls played son Coral in the first round
That is all I know.....for now

results.....anybody.....Beuler.....anybody

Josh Cold Childs and MARTINez in the finals.

Childs wins the finals over Martinz.

Rick Stepp runner up to someone in the Am bracket.

Hats off to Josh and Phil, nice shooting guys. Jonas, sorry about the defeat but the streak had to end one day. Atleast the one who beat you made it to the finals. We no longer have a 2 year undefeated person playing the Madness. We just have to wait 363 more days to see if Josh Childs can do it again and if Phil will play pro and take him out! Job well done to Chris and David for running the best tournament in the LAND, and to Olivia, Natalie, and Elise for running a BANGIN' snack and drink stand!

Thanks to everyone for coming and making it a great tournament. We ended up with 28 Pros (1 foursome short of full), and 32 Ams (full). Chris debuted the new 70-square-foot scoreboard. Arriving players were greeted by the slogan, "The Pressure Begins Here", which I trust they found appropriate. We had players from 4 states....incredible weather....a course that was absolutely gorgeous with the dogwoods blooming....and many, many stories.

Yes, Travis and Coral, father & son, drew each other in the first round. In fact, because we were not-quite full, there were 4 players whose brackets gave them a chance for a bye if they made it to the 3rd round. Suspiciously, 3 of the 4 spots went to Saulses. And amazingly enough, none of them made it count, but Josh Childs did, gaining the bye and perhaps a little more rest for the finals.

There was a story of someone leading by 2 holes with 2 to go---and losing 3 straight. It's axiomatic that everyone in match play remembers where they lost it for a long time, but that one may be remembered forever.

Josh Childs beat Mike Martinez to win the Pros. They both looked a bit worn as they traded missed putts on hole 13. Congrats to Mike, finishing 2nd in Open Pro in a sanctioned tournament, his highest finish ever.

Phil Clark beat Rick Stepp in the Ams. Phil just arrived from Wisconsin, so probably enjoyed the weather even more than the rest of us.

The kudos go to Chris Sauls for dreaming up this event, perservering through the years to make it a really cool, unique disc golf tournament. We hope those to see most of you again next year, and some of the folks who've never tried it, join us and find out how much fun a very long day of high-pressure disc golf can be.

And, for the first time in memory, Team Chuck represented more in quantity than quality. We appreciate so many coming up from Charleston....and, by and large, letting someone else win for a change. (I don't have the results on hand but it seems Conner was the most successful Charlestonian this year).

Rick Stepp, though residing in Summerville, is a Team Chuck player. We all do what we can. Martinz is a great competitor and he ended my streak at 11 match play victories in a row. I hope to be back next year. It is a great event and well run.

Thanks. Wasn't sure where Rick was from. I'm working off memory because the scoreboard is a bit large to carry around and refer to.

It was an accomplishment for everyone else to hold Team Chuck down to just a runner-up position. May not sound like much of an accomplishment but, after all, we've never done it before.

mike martinz knocked out 3 charleston area players
nice shooting, mike..

thanks to the sauls and everyone who helped!

i had a great time and im happy to help sponsor next yrs event...no declining next yr

and let's not forget about the * N.I.T. winners David Sauls & Trey Johnson and winning $25 each.

* N.I.T. (Not In Tournament)

mike martinz knocked out 3 charleston area players
nice shooting, mike..

thanks to the sauls and everyone who helped!

i had a great time and im happy to help sponsor next yrs event...no declining next yr



Thanks Dana, you put me on my heels and really made me concentrate those last few holes. I felt like I played better than I ever have before the first 4 rounds. By the finals I had played 43 GRUELING holes of intense, pressuresome golf and was completely exhausted! Hope everybody had as much fun as I did this weekend!

Since everybody seems to love it so much, maybe more PROS will pre-reg. next year!

Thanks for coming. You've already sponsored next year, in a way, by declining cash since, in this format, there's no one to pass it along to. It'll be part of next year's purse.

I neglected to mention the great pace this year. Turnarounds went quickly and smoothly. The pace of play in this tournament is always good because we have (1) foursomes with (2) 2 empty holes in round 1, and many more in subsequent rounds, and (3) players don't have to putt out when they're beaten.

I should have some photos posted shortly.

Hey, Pros, how about tell everyone back home and everyone you play with in other tournaments that this was a cool event, and encourage them to join us in the future. Full brackets would make it that much cooler, and if we could fill it during pre-registration, it would lighten the workload.

photos can be link to at

www.saulsinsurance.com/marchmadness (http://www.saulsinsurance.com/marchmadness)

They are only roughly sorted, edited, and organized at this time. There are thumbnails to view; if you click on them, the main photos are still large, so may take a few moments to download. I'll scale them down to a manageable scale when I can.

Results

PRO -

Champion - Josh Childs - Augusta,GA - $400.00
Runner Up- Mike Martinez - $200.00

Semi- Finalist - Jason Land $100.00
Semi- Finalist - Jason Makarovich $100.00

Quarter Finalist - Tim Barr $72.00
Quarter Finalist - Jerry Harmon $72.00
Quarter Finalist - Dana Vicich $ Declined

Everyone else --LOSERS!!!!!

Am

Champion - Phil Clark - Columbia, SC $115.00
Runner Up -Rick Stepp $75.00

Semi- Finalist - Connor Thompson $55.00
Semi- Finalist - Brian Ling $55.00

Quarter Finalist - Tim Jeffreys $30.00
Quarter Finalist - David Cunningham $30.00
Quarter Finalist - Aaron Cunningham $30.00
Quarter Finalist - Paul Gartman $30.00

Everyone else - LOSERS!!!!

I'll post the bracket when time permits. I would like to thank everyone for coming, especially those who pre-registered. In response to those who said it has become a great event, it has only because of the players who have attended. Unlike most tournaments, this one relies on the quanity of players, not so much on quality. With a full field or somewhere close (28 pros) we avoid having many byes and long delays for some players. This has kept the pace moving and exciting. Every year we try to do something special for the event and next year will be no different. All I can say, is that it will be worth your while to form part of the gallery for the final 4.

The Madness begins in 363 days.