FYMA Cup is Headed Back to SoCal

It’s a return to SoCal for FYMA XXIV, so grab your favorite tobacco, some Suavacito, and a dry-rotted shorty and get to Escondido for the best event of your year.  Don’t forget to bring your old Beach Boys CDs because it just wouldn't feels SoCal without sitting with a bunch of old men, partaking in a craft and a soak, without listening to a bunch of older men that sound like little girls. 

OK, that was awkward!

Our own Cali-boy, Uncle G, looks to defend his crown in his (new) home state. He will have to outlast 11 other Cuppers and overcome the champ’s handicap penalty if he is to repeat. 

Odds aren’t out yet, but fellow Cali-boy, Fratt, may be one of the front runners to take the cup thanks to some home course cookin’. The OG Bon Vivant has been soaking up more sun than Sheryl Crow on a Tuesday, but only time will tell if his West Coast surf~n~safari will have a negative effect on his run for a second cup. 

Another early favorite has to be Johnny “Frosty-Tips” Aloha, aka Rivs.  His chances have improved due to his flatstick wizardry and the removal of the champ’s handicap, but odd makers will be watching closely on whether or not he’ll wear shoes this year or if he’ll perform another fire-walker dance to get the golf gods on his side. 

The TD is always a favorite and San Diego has treated him well in the past.  He won the 2012 edition the last time we visited the SoCal.  Can the Phantom make a run from last to first? I wouldn’t bet against him. 

Here’s your lineup:

The Itinerary

27 Jan - Saturday:  Travel day to San Diego

- 2 pm - Target arrival time to SAN

Arrival Groups: 

POV: Espino, Rivs, Chop

Van: TD, AssTD, G, Clarkie, Begs

POV: Fratt

- 3 pm - All should endeavor to meet at 3653 Purer Rd, Escondido, CA between 3-330p local time.  Have a beer while waiting for all arrivals.  

- 4 pm - Planning meeting - Grocery detail

- 4:35 pm - CGA Bears Ice Hockey vs Harvard University, Solubroadcasting.org

- 5 pm - Costco and Albertsons Grocery Run

- 7 pm - Relax and let the games begin!

28 Jan - Sunday:  FYMA Fun Day (#FFD); surf, fish, gamble, golf, or just hang out at the house

- Brunch Style breakfast

NFL Conference Championships. 

- 12:00 pm - AFC Championship Game, Teams TBD, CBS

- 3:30 pm - AFC Championship Game, Teams TBD, Fox

- 3:10 pm - CGA Bears Ice Hockey vs Springfield College, Solubroadcasting.org

- 7 pm - Dinner served

29 Jan - Monday: Knock Rust!

- 10 am - Breakfast secures

- 11 am - Tee Time - Optional Practice Round - Vineyards at Escondido ($36),  11 min drive. Located just north of beautiful Lake Hodges, bordering the award-winning boutique Orfila Vineyard and Winery in the San Pasqual Valley agricultural preserve, The Vineyards is considered one of the finest daily fee facilities in San Diego. The Vineyard at Escondido’s par 70, 6,531-yard course winds through a scenic landscape of verdant wetlands, set against stunning mountain vistas, acres of untouched wildlife preserves, and flourishing grape vineyards. Water is in spectacular abundance with five lakes spread out across the landscape, so accuracy is vital.

- 7 pm - Dinner (TBD)

- 9:30 pm - ETA of Kinger and Whitey depending on how fast the Cushman goes. 

30 Jan - Tuesday:  So it Begins!

- 10 am - Breakfast secures

- 11 am - Tee Time - Lead Off Round 1 - Golf Club of California ($70) 9 min drive.  The Golf Club of California was created to raise San Diego golf to new heights while providing an extraordinary Southern California golf experience. The course was designed to naturally integrate the ancient oaks, majestic sycamores, towering eucalyptus trees, and beautiful red-top grasses that line the fairways and undulating greens. Challenging bunkers and colorful wildflowers add beautiful contrast to the course, while a variety of elevation changes provide tranquil backcountry views. Meandering creeks and acres of natural open space enhance the breathtaking experience.

- 7 pm - Dinner out, somewhere recall nice!

31 Jan - Wednesday:  Settle In  

- 10 am - Breakfast secures

- TBD - Begs RTB

- 11 am - Tee Time -  Settle In Round 2 - The Maderas ($159), 16 min drive. Returning to a FYMA ’12 Favorite, tucked within the rolling hills of northern San Diego, Maderas Golf exceeds expectations with personal-touch service and unparalleled course conditions. Maderas is one of the most highly acclaimed courses in San Diego, effortlessly harmonizing an exhilarating round of golf amidst a breathtaking backdrop of southern California terrain. Minutes from downtown, yet a complete escape to the quiet confines of a pristine natural setting.

- 7 pm - Dinner (TBD)

1 Feb - Thursday:  Moving Day

- 11 am - Breakfast secures 

- 12:30 pm - Tee Time - Moving Day Round 3 - Aviara Golf Course, ($165), 28 min drive. Located in sunny Carlsbad, Aviara is San Diego’s only golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Named the #1 golf resort in Southern California by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, and recognized as one of the country’s best resort golf courses by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Aviara features a memorable coastal layout: Uniquely sculpted around rolling hillsides and landscaped with wildflowers native to SoCal, the par 72 course offers plenty of bunkers and water features over 7,007 yards.

- 7 pm - Dinner (TBD)

2 Feb - Friday:  Championship Day

- 9:30 am - Breakfast secures 

- 11 am - Tee Time - Championship Round 4 - Native Oaks Golf Course ($100), 26 min drive.  Designed by Dave Ginkel, Native Oaks Golf Club opened in 2004 and immediately garnered accolades for its compelling routing and premium golf course conditions. Measuring 6,670 yards and playing to a par of 72 from the black tees, the golf course is a true test of golf for accomplished players

- 7 pm - Dinner (Order Pizza)

3 Feb - Saturday:  Travel Day, See you at FYMA Cup 2025!

- 10 am  check out

Good to Know

About Escondido
Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido provides a thriving urban environment in the midst of gently rolling hills and avocado and citrus groves. Escondido lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and 30 miles northeast of San Diego. The City of Escondido is a vibrant community of more than 144,831 people.  Escondido is in the Pacific time zone. 

Weather
In January, Escondido’s average temperatures range from 45F to 70F and rise above 65F by 11 am daily. Escondido averages 3” of rain during January, so we can expect a 23% chance of rain during our time there. Winds will range from 6-8mph. Sunrise is at approximately 7:15 am & sunset is at 6 pm, giving us nearly 10.5 hours of daylight. Escondido is known for its sunny days, averaging almost 300 days of sunshine each year.  During our stay, we can expect the humidity to be quite low and comfortable.  Last January, during the same week as this year’s FYMA Cup, Escondido saw colder than average temps (41F to 64F) at the beginning of the week with temps rebounding later in the week (46F to 68F). 

The Numbers
Cost per person (11 Cuppers anticipated):

House:  $1100 for the week (based on 12-person occupancy); $155/per night if abbreviated stay.

Golf:  $540 for 5 rounds ($494 for 4 FYMA rounds)

Food/Booze: $250 based on the annual average

Rental Van: $80

Lunches: $100

Total before your flights & week of Cali fun: $2000-$2050/person for 7 days and nights.

The Logistics
The House is about 40 minutes from the airport and TD will have a 15-pax van ready to go. Y'all did a great job of coordinating your arrivals.  . We plan to have at least one van run, but having a second run is possible if a good grouping is made (4 or more). If you haven’t made flights, plan your arrival for around 2-3 pm (earlier is better) to get to the house for check-in. If you arrive earlier, you may have to post up in an airport watering hole. If your arrival is after happy hour, expect to Uber. Uber X starts at $52 and Uber XL starts at $72 from the airport.

Points of Interest:

Valley View Casino 16300 Nyemii Pass Rd, Valley Ctr, CA 17mi 31min

Harrah’s Resort SoCal 777 Harrah's Rincon Way, Funner, CA 22mi 36min

Pala Casino Spa & Resort 11154 CA-76, Pala, CA 26mi 31min

Costco 725 Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 7mi 14min

Albertson's Grocery 1570 W Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 4mi 8min

Lago Country Wine & Spirits 3440 Del Lago Blvd, Escondido, CA 2.7mi 7min

The Duties
1. Vis - Tournament Director (TD). He was born for this and it now has consumed him entirely. Final authority on all rulings, movie choices, new handicap rules, and inter-tournament skirmishes.

2. Mudro - Assistant TD (AssTD). Prior to approaching TD, all complaints, gripes, or whining will be approved first through AssTD. He will decide whether or not it deserves his attention, but plan on it going completely ignored. AssTD is also the website developer and collector of all arrival/departure times. A single van run this year (maybe)- so add extra funds in your phone for Uber. Apparel requests also go through AssTD and if you want a shirt, Scally, or banana hammock let him know ASAP as he has complete approval to decide and charge as he needs to. He also will determine pairings for the week, which will be approved by the TD. 

3. G - Tourney Official and Time Keeper - rechecks AssTD handicaps and screws Fratt accordingly. Saturday and Sunday night you will have the opportunity to bribe G-money, but all bribe amounts will be approved by me with a 20% TD cut. G will also validate and post scores/leaderboard nightly. As Official Time Keeper, you will ensure all players are up and out for T-times. 

4. Whitey – Planning Officer & DVD/movie coordinator: Movie listings should be posted no later than 1900 each evening. Obviously, you get the first choice of recliners for viewing. Bouncer and Planning Officer; Screens all newcomers at the door, and enforces all rulings for the TD. Assist with lessons learned and planning of the next FYMA Cup and all activities involved. 

5. Clarkie - Poker Director/Games Coordinator, needs at least two sets of chips, and cards. Solicit other Cuppers if unable to provide. Also, our Games Coordinator decides any side games and rulings.  Appeal authority is retained by TD. That’s about the limit of responsibility we can give him.

6. Rivs - Sommelier & Food Coordinator. Provide a wine list for SuppO to execute.  Do not forget a bottle opener! The house should provide, but you should always carry one on your Tilted Kilt charm necklace. Ribs will also fill the position of Food Director. Ensure all food lists are developed from the menu planning of each cooking group. With Rivs in charge of both, this year should be al lot easier pairing the Merlot properly with frank and beans.

7. Fratt – Beverage Director (except wine). Provide a beverage list to SuppO, a complete list including mixers, water, and Gatorades for a simple, but large shopping spree. Don’t forget the bloody mary mix. Also, selection of the Keg of local goodness. Official Mixologist is also bestowed upon you. You have the honor of developing FYMA Cup’s first official drink. 

8. Chop – SuppO. Once all assignments are handed out, the Directors shall send all supply lists to Chop. Support will organize runs for supplies and booze, as necessary. Make sure you make it as hard as you can for him since he will be wrecked in flight and during layovers this year. Chop will also fill the position of Food Director. Ensure all food lists are developed from the menu planning of each cooking group.

9. Kinger – Shifts his role to the Primary house custodian and ensures all repairs are completed before departing. Also, Protocol Officer addresses all breaches in good manners, humor, and etiquette. Ensures all repairs are completed before departing. Also, addresses all breaches in good humor, and etiquette & settles any pre/post-round skirmishes.

10. Espino - Aquatic Engineer/Extra-curricular Activities Director. Ensure the pool is prepped & hot tub never falls below 104 degrees F. Anyone with a swimsuit smaller than his will not be admitted to the pool area. Also, responsible for coordinating our evenings out and dining excursions with the Gaming Coordinator.

11.  Begs - Random Task at-Large, responsible for odd jobs designated by TD/AssTD covering everything from keg prepper to shitter-de-turder, from seating arranger to keys/wallet finder.

12.  Chaser - Until status is known, will fill in as Aid de Camp to the Suppo, Beverage Director, and Games Coordinator and their associated tasks.

The Menus
Team format:  Teams will be responsible for submitting shopping lists, cooking, and cleaning on their assigned day. All proteins/dinners are up for change and based on chefs' choices, so get your lists to the Suppo. Also, need an easy breakfast list. If you cook better with someone else - check with Rivs for approval.

• Saturday Night: Plan on eating out or possibly ordering in.

• Sunday: Brunch before the games, with an easy dinner to be ready by the conclusion of the second game. - Everyone can help out.

• Monday: Clarkie, Chaser, Chop, Begs - Pick’em Protein

• Tuesday: Dine Out TBD

• Wednesday: AssTD, G, TD - This lineup naturally goes Italiano

• Thursday:  Fratt, Spino, G, Whitey - Show us what you got West Coast!

• Friday: Pizza or Order in, as previously done

The House