Cuppers-

Grab your bags and adjust yourself...Its almost here. The week that we all look forward to, the week we blow off work, the week Richard becomes the Fratt, the week a recliner becomes a heavenly bed, the week of "Hot Tub Time Machine.'

The exceptional bantor the past couple of days has me more excited for the Cup than a hillbilly family reunion at the campground. Itineraries are posted, livers are being whipped into shape, pairings are being refined, and handicaps are being held to spark lively debate on the first night.

Beds are first come first serve; good news this year is that we are working from a surplus (12 rooms for 10 Cuppers). Kinger of course will have his choice of the 15 or so recliners and loungers spread throughout the property. Vis, G, Whitey and I (maybe Fratt too) will arrive on Sunday, grab a practice round at Mystic Dunes on Monday and be back at the house in time to get the hot tub up to a comfortable 104 degrees F. We will also be making a grocery run after our round, so if you have a special dietary needs, like Fratt with Keto and the gluten free Ukrainian, please get them to G or Vis. Reminder: Whiskey is not a food group.

We are looking to bring more skills challenges to the course and back at the house. Big boys stuff, so hit the cash machine before you get to the house. With a working Golden Tee available in the new "game room", expect some wagering as soon as you arrive. Maybe a "FYMA Cup Karaoke Idol" competition in the Atlantis Lounge which Rivs is the odds on favorite.

Breakfast will be served, maybe cereal, but we will ensure Fratt is fueled for his daily ass whipping. Of course beverages will be brought down and a keg purchased as always. Lunch on the course with plans of keeping dinner format simple. I would like to bring back team cooking for dinner plans, putting us all on the hook one night. Hopefully Ant still has the number for last night pizza delivery- that was a great call and I will take that night with Ant.

Unfortunately, we have some possible Cuppers not showing- will be tough to get over the loss, but finalized pairings and handicaps will not be posted until arrival day. Expect a calm and respectful debate over those.

We are returning to two courses this year on Tuesday and Wednesday- The New Course at Grand Cypress and Bella Collina. Expect your best round on Tuesday at the wide open New Course. Thursday and Friday expect to throw a club or two at the Palmer and Watson Courses at Reunion. Yes you may have to buy a new putter Kinger, but both last two day courses are in our backyard. The house is not available on Sunday night, sand I am still searching for a domicile Sunday- maybe sleep in the van or the caddy room at Mystic Dunes; no should be easy to get a condo near Monday's course! Whitey kicks off his cup early with a 6 am red eye arrival. I can't wait to see what condition he;'s in waiting 12 hours for the rest of us to arrive.

Its almost here, only a TD work week to go!

It's on!

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The Itinerary:

Optional Travel Day - Sunday, 10 Feb (stay TBD, cost <$40/person)

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Required arrival: Monday, 11 February

Try to arrive in groups (see itinerary in the resource page). Uber worked well last year.

Bonus Round for early arrival:

9:50 am: Mystic Dunes - $65

Golden Tee Skills Challenge in the evening

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Day 1 - Tuesday, 12 Feb:

Grand Cypress: The New Course - $125

First Tee Time at 10:06 am (3)

Depart house 9:00am - 18 min drive.

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Day 2 - Wednesday, 13 Feb:

Bella Collina - $170

First Tee Time at 10:00 am (3)

Depart house 8:45 am - 38 min drive.

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Day 3 - Thursday, 14 Feb:

Reunion: The Palmer Course - $105

First Tee Time at 9:50 am

Depart house 9:10 am - 3 min drive.

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Day 4 - Friday, 15 Feb:

Reunion : The Watson Course - $105

First Tee Time at 10:00 am

Depart house 9:20 am - 3 min drive.

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Travel Day- Saturday, 16 Feb: (check out by 1100).

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The House

House is the same as last year, with a recent addition. A new game room was installed, so bring your quarters!

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The Numbers

Costs per person with 10-12:

House: $750 ($150/night for those not staying the entire week)

Golf: $500

Food/booze: est $250- based on annual average

Rental Van/gas: $40-50

Lunch on course: $60

Total: $1600-$1700/person + flights

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The Logistics

The House is about thirty minutes from airport and TD will have a 15 pax van ready to go. Hopefully, you chuckleheads arrive close to each other. We plan to have at least van one run. If you haven’t made flights, plan for after 3pm arrival. We will be checking into house at that time hopefully (check in is 4pm, but asking for earlier). If arrival is earlier, you may have to wait or Uber.

The Duties:

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.

Mudro - Assistant TD (ASS TD). Prior to approaching TD, all complaints, gripes, or whining will be approved first through Mudro. He will decide whether or not it deserves my attention, but plan on it going completely ignored. Mud is also the web site 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 Muddy and if you want a shirt, hat, 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.

G - Tourney Official- recheck Mudro handicaps and screw Fratt accordingly. Monday night you will have 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/leader board nightly.

Rivs - Sommelier. Just let TD know what you want and he will do his best. Do not forget a bottle opener, house should provide, but you should always carry one on your Tilted Kilt charm necklace. This year should be more challenging as we’re not sure whether a Merlot or Pinot Noir pairs properly with frank and beans.

Kinger – A well deserved promotion to Beverage coordinator and shopping list maker. TD needs a complete list including mixers, water, Gatorades for a simple, but large shopping spree at exchange. Don’t forget bloody mary mix. Once menus in place, also need help with grocery list. DVD/movie coordinator: Movie listings should be posted no later than 1900 each evening. Obviously you get first choice of recliners for viewing and as your bed.

Chop – You have been demoted for even bringing your attendance into question. Your new assignment will be Assistant Beverage coordinator. Assist Fratt with choosing the Keg of local goodness. Official Mixologist is also bestowed upon you. You’re tasked with developing FYMA Cup’s first official drink..

Fratt – With shake up in attendance, he will be your Poker Director- TD has one set of chips, so bring cards and more chips. Also retains his role as the Primary house custodian and ensures all repairs completed before departing. Also, Protocol Officer and addresses all breaches in good manners, humor, and etiquette.

PK – Official Time keeper ensuring all players are up and out for T-times. Guilt your brother-in-law into coming. Also is our Games Coordinator to decide any house issues- we do have some arcade games in house. Work with Poker Director.

Ant - Hydration expert /Aquatic Engineer/Swim Suit Inspector; ensure pool is prepped with the prescribed number of noodles and hot tub never falls below 104 degrees F. Anyone with a swimsuit smaller than yours will not be admitted to the pool area.

Whitey – Bouncer and Planning Officer; Screens all newcomers at the door, enforces all rulings for the TD. Assist with lessons learned and planning of the next FYMA Cup and all activities involved.

The Menus

No cooking competition, but we will partner up with 3 cooking each night.

Team format: Check back for assignments. Teams will be responsible for submitting shopping lists, cooking and clean up on their assigned day. We have five weeks to debate and change. All proteins/dinners up for change and based on chefs' choices. TD will do his best to pick up and haul down in coolers to avoid shopping on site. Also need easy breakfast list. If you cook better with someone else- check with TD ASS for approval.

Monday night: Burgers - probably easier just to throw some burgers on grill. Everyone can help out.

Tuesday: TBD

Wednesday: TBD

Thursday: TBD

Friday: Pizza, like last year.

Aged 25 Years, this FYMA Cup should be the greatest yet!