Weather more typical for Dublin, Ireland greeted Brothers at the Dublin Golf Club in Dublin Ohio for the 2018 Fricker Cup. For the first time since the start of the tournament participants had less than perfect weather for the event. Rain, 5 mph winds and 60 degree temperatures challenged the 3rd largest group of teams ever to play for the trophy. Most, but not all finished. In the end, the Fricker Cup had its first repeat winner, Brother Brad "Gordo" Flinders IC '86 teamed this time with Brother Brian Harding IC '86.
Harding reflecting on the win said, "Flinder's strong and steady play gave me the confidence to take some risks like hitting my driver from the fairway and aiming through trees to see if we could save a few strokes and get our names on the prestigious cup!" The gamble paid off with the Flinders/Harding team beating out the Howell/Bouve team by one stroke.
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| Practically a force of nature, euchre games continued throughout the evening until there was no longer 4 Brothers left to play. |
Brother James Lewis '74 said he journeyed down the block to visit Brother Kirk Finfrock's IC '79 Twisted Vine Wine and Culebra Cigars stores where a wine tasting was going on. (You will of course always patronize your brother.)
The 2018 Fricker Cup format remained a “Two-Person Best Ball” format with both players playing their own ball and required a final score including at least 6 holes from each player. The event again featured some of its unique rules including the Eddie Switcheroo Card, the Vuicich Mercy Rule (that saved the teams playing behind Brothers Hunt and Rosiniski from another 3 hours on the course!) and the Twitter Leader Board requirement where updates were posted to @The EddieFricker with the #FrickerCup so interested brothers could track the play.
The weather this year negatively impacted the amount of photos and video taken from the course. The only photo taken by the players was one from the clubhouse afterwards directed at the primary event organizer Brother Wes Bren IC '85 where everyone affectionately saluted him with hand gestures indicating he was number one in their hearts. #AEKDB!
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| Brother Henry is congratulated for the tournaments shortest drive (Prize: a fine ladies hat) by Brother Bren. |
"I was very touched by their gestures," said Bren who traveled to the event this year but could not play because of a back injury. Later that evening Bren led the awards ceremony from a private reception at Ten Pin Alley in Downtown Hilliard, home to some of this years participants. The Rules Committee was careful to select quality prizes that were not purchased at Spencers this year after several complaints were received during the 50th anniversary tournament.
Reflecting on the achievement of being the first alumnus to repeat as champion, the former Miami University golf team member said, "Next to watching porn on my new 75" mirror, winning a 2nd Fricker Cup is my Greatest Achievement!" Miami University officials requesting not to be identified also confirmed that Brother Flinder's accomplishments as an alumnus have been limited and said, "We are glad he has this."
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| Second Time Fricker Cup Champion, Brother Flinders and partner Brother Harding celebrate the win and the dream-come-true of hoisting the trophy with bare hands! |
Harding said, "I was lucky Brad choose me to be his partner. We are a good team with bodies like cherubs but our edge comes from the fact that Gordo doesn't worry about comparisons to other golfers, at least by height or belly size, just skill. We look forward to defending our win in 2019. AEKDB!"
The 2019 Fricker Cup will be held the weekend after Labor Day (September 7, 2019) most likely near South Bend, Indiana.
Prizes Winners included:
Fricker Cup Trophy: Brad Flinders IC’86 & Brian Harding IC’86
Alumnus who traveled the farthest: Jim Lewis IC’74 Virginia
Best Team Uniforms: Mark Storts IC’92 & Ed Kendall IC’89
Longest made putt (Hole 18): Jeff Meek IC ‘87
Longest Drive (Hole 10): Jeff Meek IC ‘87
Closest to the Pin (Hole 18): Doug Baker IC ‘86 (for the second time in a row!)
Shortest Drive: John "Slug" Henry IC’85 (for less than 6 inches)
Worst attire: Kurt Ebling IC’88 (received OSU branded golf tees for wearing a maize & Blue "M" hat to a course in Columbus?)
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| Doug Baker, Jeff Meek and John Henry. |
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| Brett Howell, David Bouve, Brad Flinders and Brian Harding. |
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| David Torborg, Tom Clarke, Larry Rosinski and Clay Hunt. |
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| Mark Storts, Ed Kendall, Steve Hughes and Kurt Ebling. |
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| Patrick Reedy, Brian Liederbach, Brad Storts and Brian Olah. |
