7th Annual March Madness 1 day Match Play Tournament

When: Saturday March 28
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)

$$$ added to Pro purse / $75 added to ams - Merch bucks payout to Ams

Format: 1 on 1 match play. First round 18 holes; subsequent rounds 9 holes 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
2007 Pro Champion: Josh Childs - Augusta, GA
2008 Pro Champion: Jeremy Koling - Charlotte, NC


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
2007 Am Champion: Phil Clark - Columbia, SC
2008 Am Champion: Nick Ramirez - Columbia, SC

Pre-registration recommended and appreciated.

Send registrations to:

Chris Sauls
4064 Beltline Blvd
Columbia, SC 29204

Credit Card payments call 803-917-8318.

803-917-8318
803-364-5282 after 6 pm.

This is a PRO Sanctioned X-C Tier

Do you have the nerves of a Champion?

We've kept entry fees low for this event ($25 Pro, $10 Am), yet in the last few years the Pro winner has taken home around $400. A pretty good return on entry fee---but well earned!

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 9----and in match play, a 9-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)---kind 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
don't make it or can't play a 2-day event, this is a second chance to play Earlewood. Ditto for those who do get in the Earlewood Classic, can't believe their score on a seemingly easy course, and want another crack at it.

The flyer and more information, including full brackets from last year, available at the website:

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

This tournament is a blast. If you haven't played it before, you should. I hate that I'll miss this one to play in a NT event in Atlanta the same weekend. Very difficult decision to make. It's good to have choices, but they aren't always easy.

since you knocked me out in the first round last year, I completely support your decision to play the NT. Good luck and we'll see you next year.

as usually, AM pre-registration way ahead of pros.

Ams

Paul Martinez
Donal Pilcher
James Cathy
Kevin Allision
Andy Masi
Scott Wallace
Eric Moss
Scott Overstreet
Adam Butler
Jay Stone

Pros-

Tradd Rodenberg
Travis Sauls
Coral Sauls
Chris Sauls

Now that the Earlewood Classic is done, we move our attention to the next Earlewood tournament. Not sure if we can match the weather from the Classic.....but March Madness has had a tradition of terrific weather and we'll be trying to arrange it again.

A few more aspects that are unique about this format---

* You won't hear nearly as much wishing for luck on an opponent's shot. No "Miss the treeeeee" when your opponent throws into danger. Not with your advancement hanging in the balance. No one's rude enough to cheer a bad role on an opponent's missed putt. But I'll bet most players are cheering inside.

* Everyone....well, except the 2 winners....remembers vividly where they got knocked out. The hole they blew, or the great shot their opponent hit, to end their run through the brackets. It tends to leave scars.

Not to mislead or give the idea it's cutthroat. It's still a lot of fun.....but if you enjoy competition, this event is a whole new experience. Ever been tied for the lead going into the last round? The last 9 holes? On March 28, you'll get the chance to experience this as many as 5 times in one day!

Random doubles included with your entry fee with $100 added. Updated AM list below.

Ams

Paul Martinez
Donal Pilcher
James Cathy
Kevin Allision
Andy Masi
Scott Wallace
Eric Moss
Scott Overstreet
Adam Butler
Jay Stone
Shawn Cowart
Alan Kane
Thomas Williams
Kevin Keckeisen
Batman
Bobby Ellisor
Steve Hall
Rick Stepp
Mike Lambert
Steve Frost
Daniel Swensen

Pro's

Tradd Rodenberg
Alan Beaver
Josh Childs
David Heywood
Mike Martinez
Chris Sauls
Travis Sauls
Coral Sauls

Pro registration has been posted to PDGA schedule. (Am is non-sanctioned, so not shown there).

(I realize David Heywood's PDGA number is wrong---it shows him with a 800 rating, living in Japan---and I'll get it corrected next week).

I think Ams are up to 24, and very likely to fill.

The Pro division has always had a big signup on the morning of, and generally either filled or come close to it. Because of the complicated format, with the brackets changing depending on the number of players, we'd be grateful if those who can't pre-register would let us know if you're definitely planning to come, or probably, or thinking about it, so we can get a good grasp of the numbers we should expect.

And if you know someone who's on the fence....give a push. More than any other event, this once is enhanced by a full field.

The Madness begins in 3 days. 4 spots left in Am. Plenty of spots left in Pro. $$$ added to pro purse. If you believe you have "The Nerves of a Champion" Saturday is the day to prove it.

60% chance of Excellent weather.

Credit card payments accepted by calling 803-917-8318.

Hey Chris I will be there in the a.m. on saturday.

Although The Weather Channel is threatening 70% chance of rain, the local TV station is forecasting rain only in the late afternoon and evening. Fingers crossed, we'll be done, or mostly done, before it appears. In the history of this tournament, I don't think we've had hardly a drop of rain---hardly a cloud, in fact---and hopefully we'll fit in between two fronts again this year.

Current registration can be viewed at the tournament website:

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

This shows the Pros (sanctioned) as well as the Ams (non-sanctioned)

Everyone that pre-registers will be given a raffle ticket for a chance to win $100 in merchandise.

Looks like the weather will be ok with the heavy stuff coming in late afternoon. By then, 98% of the field should be eliminated.

Guaranteed $200 for 1st with 20 pros.
2 spots left in am

The Am division will probably fill. Other Ams wanting to play should consider playing Pro and taking merch in lieu of cash. It's still an inexpensive tournament ($25), and in match play, there's always the chance you'll get hot and knock off a better player in a short match---or draw me and get an easy first-round win.

We'll be trying to run a tight schedule tomorrow to finish up before the rain hits late in the day.....so everyone please show up early.

how deep does the payout go for pros (based on 20 pros entering)? top 4 top 6?

FYI... Chris has said that the am side is now full

I don't have the sheets with me but I believe with 20 we pay out 6. If you win 2 rounds, your in the cash regardless of how many players we have. However, the payout is very generous for those fortunate to advance.

Entry fee includes doubles with a chance to $50 for 1st. Payouts for 2nd and 3rd as well.

maybe some of the 'am' baggers should move up...

Pro results- 16 pros

Josh Childs becomes a 2 time champion. Taking down Blaine Kinkel to claim the victory. Clester Horsby and Tradd Rodenberg round out the final 4.

Josh took me out in the 1st round of 18. Then Darrell Lambrecht in the 2nd round of 9 holes. After lunch, he took down Clester in a 18 hole match to set up the finals with Blain Kinkel. Blaine's victories included wins over David Heywood, Coral Sauls, and Tradd Rodenberg.

Am results - 32 ams

Chad Knight wins his 1st Match Play title in a showdown against Rick Stepp playing in his 2nd finals. Chad's vicories included wins over Kevin Keckeisen, Andrew Cromer, Conner Thompson, Scott Wallace, and Rick Stepp.

Rounding out the final 4 were Paul Martinez and Scott Wallace. Final 8 winners included Conner Thompson, Randy Tedder,Shawn Cowart, and Bobby Ellisor.

The 2nd round and final rounds were played in the rain. However, the severe storms they were calling for never came so we lucked out. 1st time we've had rain in he 7 years of the event. Thanks for everyone that came. Congrats to Alan Kane for winning the $100 raffle.

* Next years event may be moved to July. We'll keep everyone posted.

We apologize for anyone that felt rushed through this years event. We had to speed things up a bit to get the entire tournament in before the severe storms they were calling for came. Fortunatly, they never materialized.

Thanks to everyone who came out. The Pro attendance was a bit low compared to previous years, but we compensated by changing Round 3 from 9 holes to 18 holes. That, plus the fact that the perfect numbers meant no byes, meant Josh had the full 54 hole endurance challenge for the win.

We also appreciate the gallery---I counted 29 who stayed around to watch the finals.

how deep does the payout go for pros (based on 20 pros entering)? top 4 top 6?

FYI... Chris has said that the am side is now full



I know it's late, but....

The formula is that if you win 2 matches, you've cashed. In a full tournament that's a 25% payout....with odd numbers it can be a bit more. Some years there's a bye in the second round, so a lucky player can win 1 match and cash.

As Chris mentioned, everyone who loses out in rounds 1 or 2 is entered into Random Doubles, with no additional entry fee. So 6 more people will go home with some cash (possibly Pros, possibly Ams). Doesn't show in the tournament report, but still works out for the players.

The unique structure of this event doesn't lend itself to a standard payout system. Among the other features of the payouts are a good bit of added cash for a C-tier, and a better payout for the winner than most events. (PDGA guidelines, with 16 pros paying $25 entry fee and 85% C-tier payout, would have the winner taking home about $80. I think Josh took $185).

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/marchmadness/March%20Madness%202009%20Pro%20Results.jpg
http://www.saulsinsurance.com/marchmadness/March%20Madness%202009%20Am%20Results.jpg

We'd like to congratulate our finalists for heading off to greater glory in the following week.

Champion Josh Childs shot a 1068-rated round on his way to a runaway victory at the IDGC, while runnerup Blaine Kinkel defeated over 140 other Advanced players to win Bowling Green.

Wow.