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| Jon Caldonaro enjoys the taste of victory after the 2009 Fall CANUSA. |
USA Wins Fall by 4, claims 2009 series
A furious late rally by Team USA's final 2 groups propelled the Americans to a 4 shot victory in
the CANUSA Cup Fall matches on November 7, 2009. Team Canada held a 9 shot lead with 2 groups still on the course, but
a big afternoon from the duo of Jon Caldonaro and his partner Adam Adruchowitz reversed USA's fortunes, and spurred the comeback.
"Jonny hit the ball like a champ all day," Andruchowitz told a sea of reporters afterwards.
"I was just glad to be along for the ride."
The 7-shot win by Team USA in the third group sliced the Canadian lead down to just 2, a margin which
was erased by the final group for the Americans.
Rookie Jarod Latch made a solid debut for Team USA, helping Captain Mike Solarte to complete
a round of 77, which was good for a 6 shot win over the Groucey Family pairing of Jimmy and Bob.
"We honestlly could have been right around par," Solarte said afterwards. "Jarod hit a lot of
great putts that just managed to stay out of the hole. It was a little scary that they weren't falling, because you
start wondering if the entire round will be like that."
Team USA's win boosts the overall series lead to 19-9-1. Now, both sides will look ahead to
the holidays, and the changing of the calendar. Preparations for the 2010 CANUSA Cup matches are already underway.
"It will be our 10th anniversary of the Cup," said founder Paul Armes. "We may have to come
up with something big, considering we never thought this thing would take off like it has."
SCORES:
(CAN) Rumsey/McKinnon def. (USA) Tefft/Compton 74-76
(CAN) Armes/Claus def. (USA) Roberts/Lager 82-89
(USA) Caldonaro/Andruchowitz def. (CAN) Lawless/Primorac 75-82
(USA) Latch/Solarte def. (CAN) Jim G./ Bob G. 77-83
Totals:
USA 317
CAN 321
Closest to Pin prizes:
USA 1 (Latch), Canada 3 (Bob all 3)
In fairness to team Canada, there will be no full and formal write up of the Summer. Team USA won 404-405
to even the year at 1-1.
Date for Fall has yet to be decided, but we will be in touch soon.
Peace!
Canada takes Spring!
A FULL WRITE UP WILL COME BEFORE THE SUMMER CANUSA--THE SCORECARDS ARE AT HOME, AND I AM AT WORK. SUFFICE
TO SAY, THE NUCKS WON, AND LEAD THE 2009 SEASON 1-0.
SEE YOU ON JUNE 27TH.
Canadians Roll to 2nd Straight CANUSA Win
June 21, 2008 (CANUSA Press) Durham, NC- For just the 2nd time in the history
of the coveted CANUSA Cup, Team Canada claimed back-to-back wins, downing their American counterparts 474-485 on Saturday
at Falls Village Golf Course.
Team USA actually won 3 of the 6 matches, and played to a draw in another, but couldn't overcome
two blowout losses to the Canadians, where their groups won by 10 and 7 shots respectively.
"We played hard, and played well, but it's one of those things I, as a Captain, need to look
at," said Team USA Captain Mike Solarte. "Maybe I need to switch up some pairings, or something. We are too good
of a group to get dusted like that. I'm not too pleased right now."
The Canadian side was all smiles after claiming their 8th overall CANUSA Cup. The northerners
saw the return of Scott "Toots" Monson, absent from this event for 4 years while living in Toronto. Also coming back
for Canada, Sheldon Langdon, working in Houston these days. Kurt Tobin, also from Toronto, made his annual trip in as
well, as the Canadians did their Canada Day celebrating a few weeks early.
"I was happy that Team USA was flexible in scheduling a little earlier for the Summer," Canadian
Captain Paul Armes said. "We had one wedding last week, and will have another on the 4th of July (the traditional Summer
CANUSA tournament weeked), so being able to get everyone together a bit earlier was nice. Winning the thing didn't suck,
either."
The Americans welcomed back Mike Matthews from his new digs in Colorado, but unfortunately
for Team USA, the big fella from the mounatains, along with partner John Murray, could only muster 2 shot win.
The Fall matches will be played later this year on a date to be determined.
Scores by groups:
1-USA def. CAN 81-83 (Solarte/Roberts v. Grouchey/Monsen)
2-CAN def. USA 74-84 (Harper/Eric D. v Theis/Gukes)
3-USA def. CAN 76-78 (Matthews/Murray v. Rumsey/Tobin)
4-USA - CAN tie 80-80 (Rob P./Jonny v. Langdon/Murray)
5-CAN def. USA 76-83 (Earl D./Robby v. Compton/Lager)
6-USA def. CAN 81-83 (Helisek/Schoden v. Claus/Armes)
Totals:
USA 485
CAN 474
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| Team Canada mugs for the camera after their 6 shot win in the Spring CANUSA Cup matches. |
Canadians recapture magic, CANUSA Cup
Team Canada was able to reclaim the CANUSA Cup with a 405-412 victory over Team USA on March 28th.
The Americans led the match through the final pairing, but a 14 stroke Canadian win in the final group turned a 8 shot
USA lead into a 6 shot Canada win.
Here are the scores, as Canada Captain Paul Armes located the cards (somewhere in the history laden
walls of his garage).
Solarte / Grubbs 40-42-82
Clausy / Ben
41-44-85
Linus / Teffty 38-44-82
Rums / Jimmy 39-42-81
Theis
/ Gukes 40-39-79
Doc / Harps
41-41-82
Adam / Jonny 39-37-76
Keith / Flipper
40-39-79
Lager / Compton 46-46-92
Earl / Vandrick
40-38-78
CANADA = 405
USA =
411
Go to "CANUSA CUP LINKS" on the left border of the page to find the jump to the pictures.
The next CANUSA Cup matches are set for June 21st, at Falls Village in Durham.
Short Field Produces 7 Shot USA Win
Durham, NC (Oct. 27, 2007)
A short field of 16 players went toe-to-toe at Falls Village Golf Club, where the Americans would roll to
a 7 shot win over Team Canada.
Leading the way, was the first American pairing of Mike Solarte (A), and Darren Haggett (C). 3 birdies
were found on their card, resulting in an even par round of 72, good for a 12 shot win over the Canadian duo of Todd Rumsey
and Jimmy Groucey.
"Haggs made everything on the greens today," said Solarte afterwards. "The guy was a witch, and that
was obviously very frustrating to the Canadians. Rummer and Jimmy played well, but when a guy is that hot with the flat-stick,
it's all over."
Group 2 saw a 6 shot American win as Chris Theis and Jerry Helisek posted a 7 over par 79, while Canadians
Chris "Doc" MacKinnon and Steve Harper managed an 85.
The Canadians stormed back in group 3, with Ben Primorac and Scotty Murray routing the American combo of
Adam Andruchowitz and Kevin Ketchum 84-96. "At that point, I thought we had a fighting chance," said Murray. "As
long as the final group had a lead, we thought we could be good."
That wasn't the case, though, as the 4th pairing saw a late American rally. Anthony Compton and Pat
Lager trailed by 3 shots after 14 holes, but won the final 4 holes coming in to post a 1 shot win over Jeff Claus (A) and
Paul Armes (C).
The 326-333 tally is not the closest margin of victory, but it was the first win for Team USA at Falls Village.
The inaugural trip at the first-time host club was well received by all players. "I thought the course was fantastic,
considering they got soaked for 3 straight days, " Armes said afterwards. "I think all the guys had a good time, and
if they'll have us back, we'll be back here in the Spring."
The 2008 dates have yet to be set, however the traditional
Summer date may be moved up a week to accomodate the wedding of Team USA captain Darren Haggett, who gets hitched on July
5th.
"It was great having Haggett back in my group, and on our roster again," Solarte said later. "He's
the guy that got me involved, and without him, it doesn't feel right. Today felt right."
USA bounces back from 32 shot beating, wins Summer by 18
No formal write up--getting ready for vacation. The Summer was far closer than the score might indicate,
but alas, we go by scores in golf.
Congrats to the Closest to the Pin winners:
Hole 6 - Al Matthews
Hole 8 - Al Matthews
Hole 12 - Earl Dalton
Hole 15 - Al Matthews
Photos are up at flickr.com
This is the link from the Summer pictures.
A camera issue led us to just 14 pics from my camera--Sil did her best. Compton took others, so hopefully we will
get to see those later.
Sorry to be so quick, but again, I leave for Vegas in a couple days, but wanted to get this updated before I left and
forgot.
Fall CANUSA is looking like Oct 27 OR Nov 4.
I will be in touch with a date soon.
Peace,
Solarte
|
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| Team Canada celebrates the 2007 Spring CANUSA win (CP Photo) |
Spring sprung on USA;Canada wins 32 shot rout
April 15, 2007 (CANUSA PRESS)
There was little doubt who would claim the Spring edition of the CANUSA Cup, just 2 groups into the tournament.
The Americans led by 6 after the opening foursome, but then found themselves trailing by 12 after the 2nd
group.
And it got worse.
"There was something going for us today," Canadian Captain Paul Armes said. "Maybe it was the Stanley
Cup Playoffs going on at the same time, but the boys were fired up, and played well."
Whatever the case, Canada fired an average score of 78 per team, while the USA squad was in the mid 80's
on average.
"I can't explain it," American Captain Mike Solarte told reporters. "We had guys feeling good, full
of confidence, but today we just never got anything going."
Solarte, paired with Andy "Linus" Roberts, did their part,
defeating the Canadian tandem of Jason Dawe and Roy Roman by 6 shots, 80-74, although there was some discussion regarding
their round afterwards.
"They only finished 17 beers," Solarte said. "In spite of their best efforts of shotgunning 3 apiece
coming down the stretch (the last 2 holes in fact), they still came up short, but I didn't want the Cup to be decided on that.
It is kinda funny, though because I knew the ribbing they would take from their teammates."
The 2-shot penalty wouldn't have made a difference anyway. Group 2 was where it got ugly for Team
USA. The Canadians (Stu Jones & Steve Harper) easily handled the USA by 18 shots, 73-91. Shawn Gukelberger
and Brian Grubbs were unable to get any traction as the Canadians began the march to the Cup. It didn't help that Gukes
was seen with his pants around his ankles during the round either.
A close match between the Canadian Dalton Brothers (Eric & Earl) and the Americans (Pat Lager and Anthony
Compton), saw the Canucks squeak out a 2 shot win, 83-85. The Americans finally got another match win, when in Group
4, Chris Theis and Mike Tefft toppled a couple of Canadian new guys (Scott and Ben--Ben entering his 2nd season, Scott played
his first CANUSA), by 3 shots 77-80. That would be the last USA match win of the day.
Group 5 was a Canada win as Todd Rumsey and Kurt Tobin beat Jonny Liquor and John Murray 78-84, while Group
6 was another double digit win for Canada, 74-89, as Paul Armes and Jeff Claus opened up a can of whoop-ass on Adam Andruchowitz
and his brother-in-law Kevin.
"This loss stings for us," said Solarte. "No doubt we have to go back to the drawing board and figure
out how to be better. We were missing some guys, but they were too, so the Summer should be spectacular. If there
was a victory, it was the par 3 sweep of closest to the pins, otherwise, we just stunk today"
The Summer CANUSA Cup
is scheduled for June 30th at The Crossings. Tee times are tentatively set for noon.
MATCH-BY-MATCH SCORES
GROUP 1
Team USA (Solarte(C)/Roberts) def. Canada (Dawe/Roman) 74-80
GROUP 2
Canada (Harps/Stu) def Team USA (Grubbs/Gukes) 73-91
GROUP 3
Canada (Eric/Earl) def. Team USA (Lager/Compton) 83-85
GROUP 4
Team USA (Theis/Tefft (A)) def. Canada (Scott/Ben) 77-80
GROUP 5
Canada (Rumsey/Tobin) def. Team USA (Murray/Jonny) 78-84
GROUP 6
Canada (Armes (C)/Claus (A)) def Team USA (Adam/Kevin) 74-89
*Names in BOLD = Event Medalist
Closest to Pin winners:
Hole 6 - Solarte (USA)
Hole 8 - Compton (USA)
Hole 12 -Solarte (USA)
Hole 15 - Grubbs (USA)
YANKS WIN A SQUEAKER
Team USA edges Canada 496-498
(AP) John Murray didn't wake up Saturday morning thinking he would be the hero.
By Saturday night, he was.
Murray, paired with alternate Captain Mike Matthews, drained an approximately 65 foot putt from off the
18th green to lift Team USA to a lead that ended up being 2 shots, and giving the Americans the victory in the 2007 season
finale at The Crossings.
"I just tried to hit it at the hole, and when it started to roll towards the pin, I just wanted it to hit
the stick and get a little lucky," Murray said. "Once it went in, I just saw my teammates running towards
me, I was yelling, the guys were hugging me...it was awesome."
Not to be forgotten in this final pairing (Matthews/Murray v. Claus/Armes), was the play of Matthews.
"Murray's putt at the last was amazing, but I gotta tell ya....that's about all he gave us today. I'm
glad he made it," Matthews said through a laugh.
The outcome of the tournament hung on that final griouping, thanks to the first 5 matches. In match
1, Mike Tefft and Anthony Compton played to a tie with Fisher and Colin. In group 2, USA Captain Mike Solarte and Brian
Grubbs managed a late rally for a 5 shot win over Jim Groucey and Chris "Doc" MacKinnon. Canada fought back as Stu Jones
and Steve Harper topped Chris Theis and Shawn Gukelberger by 2, leaving the Americans up by 3 shots through 3 matches.
Canada seized control of the match with a 6 shot win over the Americans. Todd Rumsey and Kurt Tobin's
win over the Andruchowicz duo had Canada up by 3 shots. Group 5 saw Team USA cut the margin to 2 as Jerry Helisek and
Pat Navolio earned a 1 shot win, leading up to the heroics on the 18th by Murray.
The win for the Americans gave them a 2-0-1 season record, and put the USA up in the overall margin to 14-5-1.
Prior to the start of the event, Canadian Captain Paul Armes announced that American Captain Mike Solarte
has been selected for enshrinement in the CANUSA Hall of Honour.
"It is a great honor for me to be recognized by my fellow competitors, and I will continue to do what I
can for this event," Solarte said after the announcement. "I am very lucky to be the Captain of this squad, and will
continue to lead our side as long as they will allow me to."
MATCH-BY-MATCH SCORES
GROUP 1
Team USA (Tefft/Compton) tie Canada (Fisher/Colin) 81-81
GROUP 2
Team USA (Solarte/Grubbs) def. Canada (Groucey/MacKinnon) 84-89
GROUP 3
Canada (Stu/Harps) def. Team USA (Gukes/Theis) 82-84
GROUP 4
Canada (Tobin/Rumsey) def. Team USA (Adam/Kevin) 81-87
GROUP 5
Team USA (Helisek/Navolio) def. Canada (Ben/Earl) 79-80
GROUP 6
Team USA (M. Matthews/Murray) def. Canada (Claus/Armes) 81-85
*Names in BOLD = Event Medalist
Closest to Pin winners:
Hole 6 - Rumsey (CAN)
Hole 8 - Harper (CAN)
Hole 12 -Solarte (USA)
Hole 15 - Earl (CAN)
|
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| Team USA used a 68 from their first group to topple Canada on July 1st. |
AMERICANS SIZZLE IN SUMMER, RECLAIM CUP
Team USA routs Canada 535-567
(AP) A hot Canada Day couldn't slow down Team USA in the Summer CANUSA Cup showdown. Paced by a CANUSA
record round of 68, the Americans reclaimed the Cup after the sides played to a draw in the Spring.
The teams were made up of 13 players, a rarity in CANUSA play, but American Captain Mike Solarte didn't
seem to mind being the lone wolf. His 68 (played under 2 man scramble rules), is the lowest round ever fired in a CANUSA
match, but he downplayed it afterwards.
"(Canadian Captain) Paul (Armes) was trying to convince me that it was a record, but I don't think it
qualifies as one," Solarte said. "The CANUSA is about the 2-man team. It's nice that guys want me to have the
record, but, to me, it's just a nice low number. I will take the 68, but, it's just not a record."
The Yanks were dominant in their 32 shot victory. Only 1 US team failed to break 80. The 535-567
final was indicative of the way the matches were played.
The Fall CANUSA is set for November 4, 2006 at the Crossings. It also marks the birthday of
Sil Armes, a CANUSA Cup Hall of Honor member.
MATCH-BY-MATCH SCORES
GROUP 1
Team USA (Solarte) def. Canada (Egeland) 68-72
GROUP 2
Team USA (Kev/Murray) def. Canada (E. Dalton/E. Dalton)74-78
GROUP 3
Team USA (Tefft/Linus) def. Canada (Rums/Fisher) 75-77
GROUP 4
Canada (Harps/Stu) def. Team USA (Adam/Adam) 84-93
GROUP 5
Team USA (Gukes/Theis) def. Canada (Doc/Ben) 71-87
GROUP 6
Team USA (M. Matthews/Compton) def. Canada (Tobin/Groucey) 78-85
GROUP 7
Team USA (Lager/A. Matthews) def. Canada (Armzy/Malloy) 76-84
*Names in BOLD = Event Medalist
Closest to Pin winners:
Hole 6 - Gukes (USA)
Hole 8 - Mike Matthews (USA)
Hole 12 - Ben (CAN)
Hole 15 - Mike Tefft (USA) He wins carryover from the Spring.
SPRING 2006 FINISHES IN A TIE
Darkness, rain cancel playoff
|
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| The numbers say it all--Canada and the US play to a 379-379 draw in the 2006 Spring CANUSA Cup event |
April 22, 2006
DURHAM --
Rains forced a 90 minute delay in getting the 2006 CANUSA Cup season started. Then the rains forced
the 2006 CANUSA Cup season to its first deadlock in series history.
Only 1 of the 5 groups was able to complete play, even though the other 4 groups had already gone in.
Rain, lightning and darkness made playing conditions less than ideal, and by Captain's agreement, any hole unplayed due to
weather or darkness is recorded as a team score par.
The teams finished with identical 379 totals, and normally the issue is decided on the course with a playoff,
however, conditions would not allow it.
"It is disappointing that we couldn't settle this thing the way we would like," USA Alternate Captain Mike
Tefft said. "We always want to finish on the course, but that just couldn't happen. It ended the way it should
have."
USA Captain Mike Solarte agreed.
"There was plenty of talk afterwards on how to break the tie. Drop the high and low scores, or lowest
score by 1 group is the tie breaker. I am glad Canada Captain Paul Armes saw it the way I did. It's a team competition,
and it should have been decided the way we have done this in the past. We couldn't do it, and shaking Paul's hand on
the tie was the right way to end it," Solarte said.
The traditional post-golf beer count was eliminated for this event due to the fact that so many teams did
not play the full round. "No way we could have expected the guys to finish them all off, even though I am pretty sure
everyone did their part," Armes said with a smile. "I know Solarte got the job done," Armes said with a laugh.
The tie means that Canada retains possession of the Cup, and will enter the Summer event as the reigining
champions. The Summer event will be played on July 1st, incidentally, that is Canada Day.
"The summer is going to be wild, and perhaps the largest field we have ever had for a CANUSA," Armes said.
I am really looking forward to it."
MATCH-BY-MATCH SCORES
GROUP 1
Canada (Armzy (C)/Rumsey) def. Team USA (Adam/Murray) 71-78
GROUP 2
Canada (E. Dalton/E. Dalton) def. Team USA (Lager/A. Matthews) 71-76
GROUP 3
Team USA (Gukes/Theis) def. Canada (Doc/Harps) 75-82
GROUP 4
Team USA (Tefft/Compton) def. Canada (Fish/Grouchey) 77-83
GROUP 5
Team USA (Solarte/Grubbs) def. Canada (Dawe/Preston) 73-75
*Names in BOLD=Event Medalist(s)
Closest to Pin winners:
Hole 6 - Todd Rumsey (CAN)
Hole 8 - Mike Tefft (USA)
Hole 12 - Eric Dalton. (CAN)
Hole 15 - carries over to Summer, as entire field was unable to complete the 15th.
FALL 2005 GOES TO CANADA
Scores are unavailable (perhaps will be posted if the scorecards ever turn up).
It was a convincing win for Canada, and they enter 2006 with possession of the CANUSA Cup.
Sorry this isn't more detailed, but the scorecards disappeared from Paul's after the Fall event.
SUMMER CANUSA 2005 RECAP
July 2, 2005
There have been plenty of times in CANUSA Cup history where the end result was
long decided before the first ball was hit off the tee.
The 2005 Summer CANUSA was not one of them.
7 groups took to the layout at The Crossings, and the match was a dead heat
after 4 groups had finished up.
In the end, the final 3 American pairings were the difference makers, and the
USA rolled to an easy win, by a total of 535-551.
Group number 1 featured Team USA Captain Mike Solarte and Brian Grubbs facing
Allan Egeland and Canadian newcomer Jason Dawe. After trading early birdies, neither side could gain an advantage until
the par 3 15th, where the Canadians made par, to the USA bogey. That 1 shot was the difference in a Canada win 74-75.
Group 2 saw the "Prankster" up to his old tricks, although admittedly not many.
Jimmy Groucey was back in top form, with his sneaky Vaseline fest, and in the end, it seemed to unnerve the Americans, Adam
and Jerry. The margin of victory was 2 shots for Canada, a final total of 78-80.
Group 3 matched the Dalton Boys, Eric and Earl against the pairing of Chris
Theis and Shawn Gukelberger. Gukelberger is known in CANUSA Cup lore for his cart-surfing, and on this
day, the Americans would need any advantage against the rolling Daltons. Once again, Eric and Earl strung together a
solid round of golf, firing a 73, tying them for medalist honors. Theis and Gukes mustered a 75, and thru 3 groups,
Canada led by 5.
Things, were about to change.
Group 4 was the pairing Solarte was most concerned about. "Having never
seen Pat or Kevin play, I was worried their brother rivalry would get the better of them, but in the end, their true colors
stood out," Solarte said. Pat and Kevin Navolio made their CANUSA debut as partners (Kevin played in the Spring), and
ripped out a 73 in a front 9 that included 3 birdies. Their opponents, Keith Parrell and Kurt Tobin played well, but
could not keep up the pace set by the Yanks. USA scored its first group win, and tied the match up with the 73-78 differential.
Group 5 was the wild card pairing. Andy "Linus" Roberts and John Murray
were paired together against the Canadian team of Chris "Doc" McKinnon and Stu Jones. Of the 4 players, McKinnon
would be considered the "A" player, but the doctor's meds couldn't remedy the high numbers being placed on the card by both
sides. In the end, it was a 4 shot American win, 85-89, which trumped some of the Team Canada lies being spread around
nthe 18th green. One member of Team Canada was overheard saying "our guys are up 11 in this group." How wrong
they were.
In group 6, perhaps the featured group of the day, USA rookie Al Matthews paired
up with Pat Lager to face the Spring medalists, Steve Harper and Brian Lewis. Matthews narrowly missed shooting 79 in
the Friday practice round, and his impressive play carried into Saturday. He and Lager teamed up for a 73, while Harper
and Lewis, who carded the only even par round in CANUSA Cup history in the Spring, came home with 78, and suddenly the
Americans led by a comfortable 9 shots.
The final pairing saw Team Canada Captain Paul Armes reunited with Todd Rumsey,
against Mike Matthews and Anthony Compton. Matthews overpowered the Canadians off the tee, Compton displayed some prowess
as well, and the Canadians couldn't get their ball rolling in the right direction. The final group numbers--USA 74,
Canada 81 and the 16 shot USA victory.
Al Matthews and Lager were event medalists, decided by a scorecard playoff that
stretched through 4 holes.
MATCH-BY-MATCH SCORES
GROUP 1
Canada (A. Egeland/J. Dawe) def. Team USA (Grubbs/Solarte (C)) 74-75
GROUP 2
Canada (Groucey/Sheldon) def. Team USA (Adam/Jerry) 78-80
GROUP 3
Canada (E. Dalton/E. Dalton) def. Team USA (Gukes/Theis) 73-75
GROUP 4
Team USA (P. Navolio/K. Navolio) def. Canada (K. Parrell/K. Tobin) 73-78
GROUP 5
Team USA (Linus/Murray) def. Canada (McKinnon/Jones) 85-89
GROUP 6
Team USA (Lager/A. Matthews) def. Canada (Harper/Lewis)
73-78
GROUP 7
Team USA (M. Matthews/Compton) def. Canada (Armes (C)/Rumsey) 74-81
* Names in BLUE denote event medalist
TOTAL SCORES
USA - 535
CANADA - 551
CLOSEST TO THE PIN WINNERS
Hole 6 - Todd Rumsey
Hole 8 - Jason Dawe
Hole 12 - Keith Parrell
Hole 15 - Kevin Navolio
Spring '05 CANUSA Cup
(April 24, 2005)
Team Canada snapped a 3-match losing streak and reclaimed the CANUSA Cup with a 386-391 victory of Team
USA on Saturday. The Canadians were led by the duo of Steve Harper and Brian Lewis. The 3rd group off the tee
provided plenty of fireworks on the course, on their way to a medalist performance of even par 71.
In the opening group, the brothers Dalton (Eric & Earl) strung together key shot after key shot, making
clutch putts when they needed to, or hitting timely approach shots, the Dalton boys made 3 birdies on the front nine,
led by 6 shots after 10 holes, and held on to a 3 shot win over the USA pairing of Andy "Linus" Roberts and Mike Solarte,
77-80.
In group 2, the American duo of Shawn Gukelberger and Chris Theis ran into a buzz saw in Chris "Doc" MacKinnon
and Jeff Fisher. Fish and Doc raced out to a 3 shot lead at the turn (36-39), and then extended the lead to 5 at the
end, winning the group 74-79. The Canadians marked 4 birdies on their card in the 3 over par score.
In group 3, the stars were the Canadian pair of Harper and Lewis. Facing Team USA newcomer Kevin "The
Pizza Man" Navolio, and John Murray, the Canadians fired a 1 over par 36 on the front nine, leading by 4 at the turn, and
then went 1 under par on the back for a scintillating 71. The round was highlighted by a CANUSA Cup first--an albatross.
Harper knocked in his 2nd shot from 178 yards out with a 7-iron to pull off the extremely rare feat. The Canadians won
the match in a rout 71-79.
Needed a huge rally in the final 2 groups, the Americans looked to Mike Matthews and Team USA newcomer Anthony
Compton, and they delivered. Matthews and Compton were able to dust Canada newbies Brad Armes and his best friend Urban
(no one recalls his first name oddly enough) 75-81. The 6-shot margin cut into the Canada lead, making it a 10 shot
Canada advantage through 4 groups. Compton pulled a remarkable deuce out of the bag on the par 3 number 8, hitting his
2nd shot from off of a nearby lawn (still in bounds according to the members of the foursome), trickling it onto the downslope
behind the flag, and rolling it into the center of the cup for a birdie. Nice shot, rookie!
The final group found America's last hopes, Mike Tefft and Adam Andruchowitz facing Canada Captain Paul
Armes and Jeff Claus. The Canadians raced out to a 2 shot lead at the turn--a front nine where both sides admitted they
had a hard time getting going--40-42. On the back nine, Team USA turned on the heat, firing a rock solid even par 36,
besting the Canadians by 7 on the back nine for a 5 shot match victory, 78-83.
The wins by the final 2 groups were not enough for the Americans to overcome the massive lead built up by
Team Canada, and the Canadians will have the honour of defending the title at the Summer CANUSA Cup matches to be held on
Saturday, July 2, 2005.
No formal vote was taken by the players for the CANUSA Cup Hall of Honor nominees. That vote will
be taken at the Summer event. The nominees are:
CANADA - Jeff Claus & Sil Armes
USA - Darren Haggett & Mike Solarte
Voting will be handled by ballot PRIOR to starting the Summer matches--the inductee(s) will be announced
following the days play at the awards ceremony.
MATCH-BY-MATCH SCORES
GROUP 1
Canada (E. Dalton/E. Dalton) def. Team USA (Roberts/Solarte (C)) 77-80
GROUP 2
Canada (MacKinnon/Fisher) def. Team USA (Gukelberger/Theis) 74-79
GROUP 3
Canada (Harper/Lewis) def. Team USA (Navolio/Murray)
71-79
GROUP 4
Team USA (Matthews/Compton) def. Canada (B. Armes/Urban) 75-81
GROUP 5
Team USA (Tefft/Andruchowitz) def. Canada (P. Armes (C)/Claus) 78-83
* Names in BOLD=Event Medalist
TOTAL SCORES
CANADA - 386
USA - 391
CLOSEST TO PIN WINNERS
Hole 6 - Brad Armes
Hole 8 - Eric Dalton
Hole 12 - Mike Solarte
Hole 15 - Mike Solarte
2000
Spring - USA
Summer - CAN
Fall - USA
2001
Spring - USA
Summer - USA
Fall - USA
2002
Spring - USA
Summer - USA
Fall - USA
2003
Spring - USA
Summer - CAN
Fall - CAN
2004
Spring - USA
Summer - USA
Fall - USA *
2005
Spring - CAN
Summer - USA
Fall - CAN
2006
Spring - TIE (379-379)
Summer - USA
Fall - USA
2007
Spring - CAN
Summer - USA
Fall - USA
2008
Spring - CAN
Summer - CAN
Fall - No Matches Played
2009
Spring - CAN
Summer - USA
Fall - USA
* - won in playoff
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