Kappa Sigma Theta-Upsilon Alumni Association: Fricker Cup MMXXII tees off with new format at the 55th Anniversary

Red and White Team Members pose for group photo after an exciting competition at Hueston Wood Golf Course. The Red Team won by only 5 holes. (Click photo to see larger image)

Friday, April 29, 2022 began as an overcast day in the mid-50s typical of spring in Oxford, Ohio but as the competition of the Fricker Cup warmed up so did the weather resulting in a near perfect afternoon of 70 degrees and a win for the 25 members of the Red Team!

This year, KSTUAA introduced a new team element (like in the Ryder Cup) to the “Two-Person Best Ball” tournament. While Brothers still picked their partner, the Captains selected the pairings in March to create the 2 vs 2 match play format. The new format still awarded the pair from the winning team with the best Net Score as the Fricker Cup MMXXII Champions with their names engraved on the Fricker Cup Trophy!

Winning the trophy for the second time on the same course was the team of Scott Rich '89 and Tim Ruppelli '87 who won 5 years ago at the 50th anniversary. There winning net score was also the best from both teams with a Net Score of 61. (The Score card for all teams is shown below)

This more complicated scoring was made easy with the use of the Golf Genius app, courtesy of the help of a golf pro from the home course of Rule Committee member, Brad Flinders '86. The app captured the raw scores and automatically calculated the net scores and the team scores (1 point for winning a hole, 1/2 point for a tie) and providing an electronic scoreboard throughout.

In the end the tournament was really close with the Red Team winning by only 5 holes! The team was captained by former Miami Golf Team stud, and two-time Fricker Cup Champion Brad "Gordo" Flinders who had suggested doing a team format after the successful conclusion of the previous 2021 Fricker Cup.

Red and White shirts were ordered for each team member and embroidered championship towels were awarded to the winning team to complete the effect.

"The towels turned out great," said Rules Committee Chairmen, Wes Bren '85. "I was really hoping the Red Team would win since I only ordered enough for one team!"

Winning the course prizes were:

Longest Drive #14: Troy Dankworth

Closest to the pin #16: Brad Flinders

Longest Putt #18: Bob Dittrich

Additional photos and videos of the event can be found in this Google drive courtesy of undergraduate member, Kyle Zevchik who volunteered his Friday on 12 hour notice to take photos and videos from the course all day. The KSTUAA Board forward him a Kappa Sigma Store gift certificate in appreciation.

What's Next?

Brother Bren who organized the first and subsequent seven Fricker Cups and most of its unique traditions like the Fricker curse (only those that win can touch the trophy with their bare hands-which is why the trophy has two white gloves inside the cup) and the Eddie Fricker Switcheroo Card, has announced he was stepping down from being Rules Committee Chairmen.

White Team Captain, John "Slug" Henry '85 has volunteered to lead the Fricker Cup Rules Committee and organize the 2023 event. Other Rules Committee Members include former Fricker Cup winners: Brad Flinders, Brian Harding '86, and Ed Kessler '87. Other alumni interested in helping are encouraged to contact one of these members. Updates will still be communicated to all alumni through KSTUAA communications.