The Doylestown Ryder Cup at DCC

2019 Johnny Miller Predictions

​

Scramble

​

Hartung / Trymbiski Jr vs. Waskey / James

​

The American’s are hoping to get off to a faster start than they typically do and lead off with a team made up of a crafty veteran with a long hitting youngster.  Opposing them is the always tough Rick James who will begin his quest for the 4-0 day with 2nd year player Rob Waskey.  Both teams have a nice combination of power and finesse so this match will likely come down to putting (as many matches do).  Hartung has been experimenting with some different irons in his bag so the biggest open question in this match is which set of clubs will Hartung start the day with (no guarantee he finished the day with the same set).  I’m not betting against James early in the day so look for Hartung to head to the pro shop for a set of demo irons when the American’s lose this match.   Europeans 1 – 0

​

 

Neumann / Pubins vs. Morgan / Wilkinson

          

One of two rookies on the American team goes off in the second match which means there will still be a good size crowd on the tee box.  A risky move by Neumann, but I guess he feels that pairing rookie Pubins with the US Captain will help ease any early morning jitters from the rookie.  Pubins is a big game player who will not be awed by the DCC Ryder Cup event.  The Euros are countering with a team that played together last year in the better ball format.  Hodge is hoping the scramble format will work out better for the twosome of Morgan and Wilkinson.  Unlike the first match which will likely hinge on putting, this match may swing based on which team is able to consistently get off the tee.  I’m giving the edge to the Americans and correspondingly the win.  Americans 1 – 0

 

​

Bitzer / Haas vs. Hodge / Verbeck

​

The second of the US rookies is paired with an original Ryder Cup veteran in Bitzer.  The Euros counter with a consistent pair of players with Hodge and Verbeck.  The Americans will have the advantage of distance off the tee in the match and Bitzer should thrive hitting approach shots from 60 yards closer than he is accustomed to.  I think the experience of the Euros should help to counterbalance the American distance advantage off the tee so look for the Americans to talk incessantly during Verbeck’s backswing to try and unnerve the Euro player.  This match is too close to call – match halved.  ½ - ½

 

​

Bartow / Trymbiski Sr. vs. Arslan / Falcone

​

Recognizing the first tee pressure decreases as each group tees off, Hodge smartly put his rookie and second year player up in the 4th match as Arslan and Falcone will have the benefit of a “quite” teebox.  Unfortunately for them, they will be squaring off against a set of Ryder Cup veterans who surprisingly haven’t been paired together in any prior events.  Since strokes are typically not a factor in the scramble, I’m going with the team with the lower handicaps.  Americans 1 – 0

 

​

​

Alternate Shot

 

Neumann / Hartung vs. Waskey / Morgan

​

The team of Neumann / Hartung has the most experience of any of the US pairings as these players have been dominating DCC league play for years.  The Euros counter with a pairing that could give the US team trouble if Morgan can put Waskey in good shape with his tee shots.  Hartung may be using this match to get accustomed to his new demo clubs he picked up after the front 9 so it’s really tough to bet on the Americans – especially given their struggles in the morning.  Europeans 1 – 0

 

 

Trymbiski Jr. / Pubins vs. Wilkinson / James

​

The American’s pair a rookie and a 2nd year player in Pubins and Trymbiski Jr in this second round match – apparently Neumann felt like throwing some red meat to the Euro pairing of Wilkinson and James.  A 2 time 2-man championship team, the Euros should have no problem with these Americans.  This one may be over on the 16th hole.  Europeans 1 – 0

 

 

Haas / Trymbiski Sr. vs. Falcone / Verbeck

​

As lopsided as the last match seemed for the Euros, I see this one just as lopsided in favor of the Americans.  Haas and Trymbiski Sr. are a strong pairing as both hit it long and straight and second shots will likely be within 10 feet on most holes.  Verbeck may be following Hartung into the pro shop looking for a demo putter given the number of times he’s changed putters this year.  After bringing back a bullseye putter from circa 1980, Verbeck has now sent that putter out to get adjusted to take some loft out.?.  Clearly there are too many swing thoughts going on in his head.  Americans 1 – 0

 

​

Bartow / Bitzer vs. Hodge / Arslan

​

This match may come down to how well Arslan settles into the pressure of the Ryder Cup.  If Arslan can bring his consistent play into this match, this match could be a back and forth contest.  Hodge has been playing well, but Bartow and Bitzer are a proven pairing with years of experience under their belts.  I don’t see a big advantage for either team in this match up so I’m going with a tie.  Match Halved ½ - ½

 

 

 

Better Ball of Partners

​

Bitzer / Hartung vs. Waskey / Arslan

​

Shots will be about even in this matchup – maybe a shot or 2 for Bitzer Hartung, and Waskey, but not enough to decide the match.  Therefore it comes down to which team plays better (obviously).  Waskey had a strong showing last year and Arslan is unlikely to beat himself which means the Euros should be able to post a score close to par on most holes.  The Americans certainly have the ability to win this match, but I’m giving slight edge to the Euros.  Europeans 1 – 0

 

​

Haas / Bartow vs. Wilkinson / James

​

Hodge kept a number of the pairings from the morning into the afternoon including this one.  Why not when you a team that’s won multiple 2-man events.  Haas and James should be liquored up by this match so the deciding factor will probably be how well Bartow and Wilkinson play.  Both of those players have had up and down years, but a threat to post a low number at any time.  This match is too close to call.  Match Halved ½ - ½

​

 

Pubins / Trymbiski Jr vs. Falcone / Verbeck

​

The Euros will have the handicap advantage in this match, but Pubins is a quick learner in Ryder Cup gamesmanship and upped his handicap by one during the last handicap revision prior to the Ryder Cup – a veteran move for sure.  The Americans are hoping Trymbiski gets on a hot streak and shoots something in the 30s – if he can do that, I think the Americans can take it.  Pubins will be tough to beat getting 4 shots in 9 holes so I’m giving this match to the Americans.  Americans 1 – 0.

 

​

Neumann / Trymbiski Sr. vs. Hodge / Morgan

​

The Euros will need to use their stroke advantage in this match if they are going to win this matchup.  Getting 3 to 4 shots in 9 holes may be too much for the Americans to overcome.  Hodge has been dominating mixed events this year, but without his wife to carry him, this may be a tougher match to win.  Morgan’s play has been up and down in Ryder Cup play, and I’m not sure if playing with Hodge will relax Greg or make him more anxious that if he fails to raise his game, he may be left off next year’s Euro squad.  Either team can win this match, but I’m going out on a limb and picking the Euros.  European 1 – 0.

 

 

​

Singles

 

Bitzer vs. Arslan

​

The crafty American veteran vs. the Euro rookie.  Bitzer will be getting a shot or 2 against Arslan and will need whatever he can get to beat this consistent European player.  Arslan has been putting extremely well over the last few weeks, but by this time of the day, Ryder Cup rookies are usually tired, drunk, and completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of the event, so I don’t see his streaky putter continuing in this match.  I’m going with the veteran.  Americans 1 – 0

 

 

Bartow vs. Wilkinson

​

Both of these players can string together 5-6 strong holes to run away with this match.  Outside of last year, Wilkinson has been a beast in recent Ryder Cup events, but Bartow has posted a 4-0 day so both players are proven winners.  A rematch of last year’s singles matchup won by Bartow, this is a tough one to call.  Wilkinson’s game seems to be on the rise while Bartow is still experiencing some inconsistency with his game so I’m giving the advantage to the Euros with Wilk avenging last year’s loss.  Europeans 1 – 0

 

​

Hartung vs. Waskey

​

There are 2 things that have helped with my prognostications over the years – betting on Rick James in all matches when he doesn’t play Dave Shield, and betting on Hartung in the singles matchup regardless of the European opponent.  This match is the undercard to the Haas / James heavyweight fight going on in the foursome.  No real stroke advantage in this one so given his gaudy 9-1-2 singles record, I’m sticking with Hartung.  Americans 1 – 0

 

​

Haas vs. James

​

Probably the most hyped singles match, this match may come down to which player is the least drunk by the time they tee it up.  Haas will get a shot from RJ which won’t be enough.  RJ only struggles with the high handicappers who are getting 4-5 shots in 9 holes.  I would consider this a huge upset if the rookie American can take down King James – Europeans 1 – 0

 

​

Pubins vs. Morgan

​

Pubins is a grinder which is what captured the eye of the American captain when adding him to the roster.  No real shot advantage so this one will be pretty much head to head.  Morgan’s game seems to trend up or down based on whether he gets off to a good start in the match.  Pubins won’t beat himself and applies constant pressure to his opponents which won’t bode well for Morgan.  Americans 1 – 0

 

​

Trymbiski Sr. vs. Verbeck

​

Verbeck will be getting a few shots in this match and will need them to overcome his constant putter changes and bouts of dizziness.  Trymbiski Sr. should be in the zone by this time of the day – in full grind mode – and fighting to win every hole.  Since the Americans win most of the afternoon matches, I’m betting on some dizziness from the Euro player and a win for the American – Americans 1 – 0

 

​

Trymbiski Jr. vs. Falcone

​

In a rematch of the only singles match that the Europeans won last year, BT will be looking to avenge his loss to Falcone from last year.  Falcone will have a sizable stroke advantage over the lower handicap American player, but BT has another year of experience under his belt.  Over the years, the American’s have had success by throwing high handicappers against low handicappers like Rick James, proving it’s tough to give 4-5 shots in a 9-hole match and win.  I think that formula may work this time for the Euros with Falcone repeating with a win against BT – Europeans 1 – 0

 

​

Neumann vs. Hodge

​

Neumann battled back last year against Hodge to scrape out the ½ and win the Cup and there is no doubt that Hodge will be looking for revenge in this year’s match.  Hodge will have a couple of stroke advantage but this match is close and will come down to who is getting off the tee better.  No clear advantage for either player means I’m picking a tie.  Match Halved ½ - ½

 

​

Final Score:

Europeans 10   Americans 10

I’ve successfully predicted 2 ties in the past 13 years, so this one may be another tie which would lead to the first playoff in DCC Ryder Cup history.  This competition is always close and a couple of putts one way or another will likely be the difference in this always close event.  Enjoy the day gentleman!!